My parents recently retired to Wilson Lake, AL (Tennessee River). I guess my dad has been talking to locals about the stripe fishing, and he said that its going to be at its peak in the next few weeks!!! And we are headed down there next Friday!! I'M SO EXCITED!!!!!!

This is the first time I have made it down there for peak stripe time. Usually, the only thing I catch it freakin Drum. Although a fish is a fish....

<----12 lb drum last time.

So we are going to be fishing where they let the water out of the turbines at the dam, and maybe Hog Island. Anybody have any tips they might like to share?

My big game setup is SUPPOSED to be here this week, but it hasn't showed yet!!

Thanks!!!

Scott

Net some 6 in shad around the dam, put that on an appropriate circle hook (4/0ish), and fish it about 6ft below a baseball size baloon.  Let it drift with the current, occasionally letting it get into the eddies. Make sure you have a good drag, or a light boat. Take a rod rigged with a pop-r or Zara spook in case they really start busting the top.

ah, yeah, i didn't even think of topwater!!  

now when you say balloon, do you mean an actual baloon??  or some sort of bobber to keep the bait elevated?

Hook through the back of the baitfish, or through the mouth?

thanks man!!

Actual cheap birthday party ballon, about the size of a tennis ball, the water grenade ones work great.  Tie a slip knot in your line, blow up the ballon and tie it, then use the slip know to hold the balloon's knot. The balloon bursts when a fish puts tension on the line and you're on your way. I tend to hook through the nostrils since the stripe like to take the bait head first, but through the back works as well.

Don't underestimate the power of a Zara Spook or similar stick bait, they are awesome below dams!

haha....thats really cool.  thanks for the tip man!!

I am headed out to get some Zara Spooks tonight!  

welp....asside from using the live shad, this is what i have assembled for top/shallow striper....let me know your thoughts!  

2 Pop-R, one white\black back, one blue phantom

1 Excalibur Popin Image

2 Excalibur Spittin Image, one large citrus, one small shad

2 Storm Shallo mac, firetiger and blue Mac

2 smithwick torpedo somthings..not sure what they are called

1 New Storm thunder dog

1 Heddon Super Spook, Blue Phantom

1 Excalibur Super Spook, white/shiney

3 Heddon Zara Spooks, Red/White sparkle

2 stick's...can't remember what they are.  I t h ink a storm thunderstick and yozuri, maybe.

2 Baby Zara's, Blue/white and Frog.

I would hope that i can get something out of that box!!!!!