Observations on Striper Fishing the Hooch
- This topic has 22 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated Aug 13, 2012 at 4:18 pm by
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Many of you guys have taken a stab at striper fishing on the Hooch, some of you quite successfully. I get a lot of questions from people, including out of towners, about whether this fishery is worth tackling, so I wanted to address maybe some misconceptions.
First and foremost, this is just a plain old tough fishery. If you’re not satisfied by the prospect of floating potentially an entire day for one or two tugs on the line, you should reconsider.
The other, unfortunate, aspect of this being a tough fishery is that it just plain requires an advanced skill set. If you can’t comfortably cast at least 60 feet (and 90 would be better), and if you can’t do so while standing up in a personal watercraft such as a canoe, kayak or pontoon boat, you probably need to reconsider.
Here’s a video demonstrating how I tackle this river:
http://www.facebook.com/v/582067485504
Note the balled up chain anchor; each of those is a separate strand that I can remove from a carabiner as needed so I have the right amount of weight out. That’s a Kyle Kosovich idea. I leave the chains draped over the rear gunnel so I can reach back with my paddle and flip them over if I need to stop in a hurry.
I have seen guys out there in float tubes; this is a very bad idea. It is extremely difficult to get enough elevation to shoot a long cast from a float tube, and stripers truly do reward the longest casts.
I caught a handful of schoolies last Friday night. Two of those fish came right as my fly hit the water on the longest casts I can make from my canoe – 90-100′.
The other aspect of this fishery that’s worth mentioning is that you need to put in your time. Even being effectively guided by some of the best anglers in the state, it took me a good two years to get to where I could consistently expect to catch fish. Part of this is locating them in the river (stay away from fast water altogether) and part of this was recognizing when conditions are right. Going fishing with turbidity over 10 is pointless. If it ever gets under 5 you should drop everything and head to the river.
People ask about tackle. This is a 10 weight fishery. You can do it with a 9 or an 8 but you’re risking a broken rod if you tie into a big striper, which tend to be randomly distributed. You should also invest in a long-handled net so you can avoid high sticking the fish when landing it from a small boat. I find a pair of fishing pliers to be invaluable since you’re going to be throwing 15 to 20# fluorocarbon. Invest in the good grade line; stripers pull very very hard and you want your knots to be well seated.
One of the advantages of fishing from a personal watercraft is that you effectively are your own drag. Unless you’re anchored up, the fish will invariably pull you around, tiring them out much faster and making it harder to break off. You do want to try to land the fish quickly as stripers have a soft cartiligious pocket around the cheek sides of their mouths; if your fly hooks there, and it frequently will, you have a minimum of time to get the fish landed before the hook shears that soft material.
Knots are another matter. I use a turle knot to the line, a double uni in the middle of the leader (which is 3′ of 30# followed by 3′ of 15#) and then a non-slip mono loop for the fly connection. Welded loops on the line are even better but few sink tips come with those. You want either a floating line with a fast sinking tip or, even better, a full intermediate shooting head. My favorite line is Scientific Anglers’ Mastery Streamer Express Clear Tip in 400 grains. That is the ideal line. It has a misleading name in that it is actually a 30′ integrated shooting head rather than a sink tip. The entire line is Intermediate.
Finally you need to figure out the shuttle system. While you can always paddle back up river, there is a point of no return in many places, which you need to identify in advance. Many of the float tube companies will run you back up to the put in for $5, if they happen to be running.
Above all else you want to give other anglers room. I see, especially in the early morning, a lot of guys who get to the water at the same time and then jockey around each other on the way down. It’s a catch-22 though. The guy in the front has the best shot at catching fish, but everyone knows this so it’s a game of leap frog to get downriver first. Then the frogs get hopping so fast that no one is doing enough careful fishing and before you know it the entire cluster is at the bottom at the take out with no fish to show for it. This is made much worse if float tubers happen to be in the mix, as they will invariably flog the water on both sides of their casts, and because they have limited range, they tend to cut right through likely lies, blowing up the water for everyone and meanwhile catching nothing. Then, lazy me comes by at 9AM and mops up in broad daylight cause by then the fish aren’t being molested.
The solution is for every angler to keep moving. Camping on a spot is a bad idea for stripers anyway; they know you’re there after a couple casts. Better to move along at the pace of the water, anchoring up for no more than 10 minutes in any given spot, and letting the guys behind you space out like train cars. That way everyone has a good chance to catch fish. It’s also good karma.
Some pics:
Some good points Zach. (and a few I don’t 100% agree with – but that’s part of the fun right?)
Word has definitely gotten out, pressure is 10 times higher than it was 3 years ago or so. Such is the times I guess. Just got to adapt and find some nice water. It is an urban fishery, and that comes with pressure and pollution.
It is a difficult fishery, but that is one of the reasons I enjoy it so much when I get a nice fish or get into a run.
Caught this puppy a few days ago, was pretty stoked (slight cloud to picture by I think my buddy may have a better one):
I personally use a 9. The use of a heavier weight rod is useful to land a fish quicker, and in heavy weeds or current, is necessary. I sat down the 8wt a few years ago.
The occasional monster (bigger than the one I have above) makes you wish you had more rod. But, it is a bit tiring to cast for a long period of time.Zach, this kind of info should not be free! If Andy Mill can get $100 for a tarpon book you ought to be able to get at least $19.99 for that post.
I totally agree about the
Mike, there sure does seem to be more pressure this year. Either you or me or both of us must be fishing more often because I can’t remember running into you in years past.
I dunno, I usually keep a pretty low profile, but am out there quite often. I live very close to the water so I have some different access available and do more short trips. I also fish a few other rivers. Maybe we’ll see you out there one day.
Andrew –
Personally I like the ten weight because of the size and makeup of the flies I am throwing, and because I think it gives you the best chance to whip the fish quickly, which eliminates the shearing issue I mentioned above and also gets them back in the water fast.
Zach – i think you’ve written a good primer on it.
I’d rather come across a fly fisherman in a float tube than a bunch balloon floating some shad, but that’s probably obvious.
I have noticed the chain of boats the last handful of weekend mornings. I tend to steer clear of that. People presence seems to put the fish down.
Gary –
The main allure of the Hooch is (a) proximity, since I can leave my office at 4:45 and be on the water by 5:30, and (b) the epic bikini hatch.
There are days when I don’t mind those other people…
Zach
Hey Mike –
Re: the shad thing; I believe they have completely outlawed bait fishing from Morgan Falls to 41 now, if I’m not mistaken.
Hey Mike –
Re: the shad thing; I believe they have completely outlawed bait fishing from Morgan Falls to 41 now, if I’m not mistaken. Although that may only apply to live bait.
Zach
True – live bait. Hot topic issue. Enforcement is always a challenge. Usually not dudes you’d want to confront. The poacher/polluter hotline is helpful for calling in blatant law breaking. 1800.241.4113 or *dnr
I pretty much always use my Redington CPX 9wt.
I haven’t been able to fish near as often as I usually do because of work but here are a few from the couple of trips I did get to make this year.
I was playing with a Sage Peacock rod I won at the Musky tournament this year. I got rid of that broom stick ASAP.
Zach – to follow up on the live bait issue, I had emailed Dnr for clarification and got a call back this morning. Apparently if it outside of the dh season it is legal by ga laws. Nps may have a different law but have agreed to let Dnr regs govern.
And I don’t Believe trout may be used unless you have a purchase receipt.
Sounds like fun Zach. I could also bring the Cosas down. If I can get away from work soon I’ll give you a shout.
I’d also be interested in Trout fishing north GA.
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