Striper Report and Swimbait Question

[basstard2013]

Last year my buddy and I spent the whole year targeting Striper using rat-l-traps and had a great time catching schoolies. Out of the last 4 trips in December and January we were only able to catch one striper using that lure. We've had our fill of the schoolies and being a new year we want to target the big girls. My question to you is what swimbaits have you found consistent success with in all seasons at Silverwood? Is there one recommendation that seems to work year round or do you change between swimbait brands depending on the season. Also, what rod and reel combo would you recommend? Initially, I'd like to get a rod, reel, and a few baits and keep the cost between $200 - $300. As we move into different seasons i will be able to afford different baits as well. Any advice would be appreciated.

[DEVOREFLYER]

Shore or boat???

[seal]

You've opened a can of worms so to speak. Because you are combining lipless crankbaits and swimbaits in the same request for baits and you are concerned about having trouble catching them in the winter months Devore's question is really important as is what type of "swimbaits" you are asking about. The months of January thru about early March are challenging for school size stripers from shore, or for that matter most years even bigger stripers, because they go deeper following the bait and stable water temperature. The dedicated swimbait guy is best served tossing plastics like Huddleston type lures. Toss the bigger swimbaits around the trout plants when the fish will come up and be more active for a short period of time, also work your lures more slowly than warmer water months. Now if you are in a boat, kayak etc... then I'm sure Devore can fill you in on a deeper water presentation or I'd suggest a vertical jigging technique that works pretty well once you locate them. The lipless cranks are excellent lures but once again the challenge is they don't run at the depth you need to target the stripers. They will bite year around for sure but if you are running your bait at 10-15 ft. of depth and the fish are at 30+ that's not gonna get it done.

Lot's of suggestions can be made for warmer water lures but you've opened up that can of worms by mentioning the winter months. I know plenty of guys that shut it down for a month or 2 in the winter but also those that toss a scrounger fluke combo year around (this is a rig that every schoolie striper fisherman should have in their arsenal).

So much to say, bait size also is important meaning smaller presentations in spring, bait is smaller in the spring match the hatch so to speak.

[DEVOREFLYER]

If you going to be throwin' big swimbaits (3 to 10oz.) from shore or a boat the cheapest combo is gonna be $200 and goes up to over $1000 for top line.
Okuma Guide Select Series Big Bait Rod $135.00
Diawa Millionaire-S Reel $65.00

If your gonna be trolling big swimbaits from a boat you can use the above combo with leadcore to get you down or use a line counter combo like this.
Cabella Depthmaster III $80.00

The sink rate of the swimbait and retrieve or troll speed and line distance is a learning curve to find the right combo.

Be prepared to get snagged a lot at Silverwood and lose gear if you don't have a lure retriever or 80 lb braid to try and bend a hook to release the bait.

[basstard2013]

I will mainly be fishing from shore but will occasionally take my float tube out. I'm thinking about tossing a 2oz - 5oz swimbait in a trout pattern. I was considering the Diawa Millionaire-S Reel.

[seal]

There are plenty of baits that will fit the weight rating but throwing an 8" Huddleston ROF 12 and even a 5 will be on the high end of that rating. Some rods ratings are not as accurate as others, many can't handle what they list as the max weight although some can handle more. If Devore says the Millionaire can handle it then I'd trust his advice.

[DEVOREFLYER]

You put a $200-$300 limit on gear and baits and what I suggested will fit that budget and you will be pleased. You can upgrade to a higher priced rig if you find slinging swimbaits to your liking, the sky is the limit as you well know.

[gogreeenz4]

okuma evx musky rod
lexa 300-400 reel or Cardiff 300-400
hudd, savage gear glide swimmer, trap bass rat and mouse

[DEVOREFLYER]

okuma evx musky rod
lexa 300-400 reel or Cardiff 300-400
hudd, savage gear glide swimmer, trap bass rat and mouse

Very good choices but blows up his budget.

[seal]

I have an EVX that I bought to toss the Matt's twitch it but use it for many other baits now as a second rod, good and durable rod.