Russell Munson from Savannah, Mo., invited his father, Vern, out on a striper trip last Friday.We had four make it to the boat but had to release one that was just under 20 inches, the minimum length on striped bass in Beaver Lake.
All were caught on brood shiners and 5-inch shad down close to 40 feet in water from 60 to 180 feet deep within a mile of Beaver Dam.
It’s that time of year that any evening or morning you can drive across the dam and see them striper boats scattered all the way to Starkey Marina. This us the time to go if you want to stay close to town. They will stay between the dam and Point 5 area until the water cools back down about mid-September.
Live bait is the best way to catch now even if you have to catch some green sunfish to put on your hook because they will catch some big fish, also.
Here at Holiday Island just think deep. Our deepest water here is running about 40 feet, so hit the edge of the flats for the walleye, the standing timber for crappie with jigs, minnows or troll deep diving cranks. Best fishing is from the Island to Beavertown or troll on upriver until you find the cooler water and the trout.
Bank fishing is best at Lake Leatherwood now with that cool spring water feeding it. It can be good from the bank or rent something to paddle around at a reasonable price. Look for crappie, bass, catfish and sunfish all holding in the main channel above the grass. They sell crickets and worms on the dock if you need bait.
You can also catch trout pretty easy now about any place that’s clear below the Beaver Dam in the river side. Worms and power bait combined on a hook should get you a few. If you want to float it, both Riverview on 62 west or Beaver Dam store on Hwy. 187 near the dam can get you in the water with something to rent.
Well, I better go. Have to get ready for another trip tomorrow on Beaver. Wave if you see us.