Where are the stripers?

[cobia_slayer]

Has anyone caut any 30+ lb stripers south of VA. yet in good numbers

[TheSpaniard]

As far as I can tell the main body is offshore of VA Beach/North NC. Still decent amounts of stripers in the Chessy and some large in their as well. The water tempts did drop a lot the end of last week and I would think the fish pushed offshore with the bait. Where they come into shore in great numbers again(if they even do again) is anyones guess. Could be Cape Henry or could be Cape Hatteras........ Sorry for the vagueness. If your looking for your most legit shot it is in and around the Chessy. But your gonna need a boat.

John

[Stickman]

I've heard their catching south of Rudee inlet Dam Neck & golfball off Sandbridge; there's good pullage @ Cape Henry too. All boat action...

[bhorsley]

they caught them pretty good on the 1st off of Duck Pier up to 43 pounds

[Mick83]

I didn't realize anyone in Duck fished .

[saltydawg]

I was in Nags Head over Christmas. I had lived there for years and it was very eerie to see the ocean completely desolate all week... no boats, no birds. No stripers will have to have an impact on the local economy.

[TheSpaniard]

SaltyDawg, I have only been there between Xmas and New Years for the last 3 years.(been there in Aug every year for the past 17 though) The first year I couldn't believe how many guys were down there. Last year there was half as many guys and this year it was kinda dead. Especially when it came to guys driving around with fishing gear. Shops weren't crowded, beach front was mostly open, No boats or birds anywhere etc... There was supposed to be an ASA Striper tourney but I didn't really see anything going on with it. Usually all the ASA boats with cool graphics are all over the place and hooters last year sponsored the awards ceremony. This year I didn't see squat. Maybe it was canceled. I would bet you are right though about the impact on the local economy. I know things in general in OBX as far as housing/renting are on the downhill as well. Seems like OBX isn't getting any breaks right now.

John

[Fish4Fun]

This has been a three year trend that I wish would break. The northern beaches see action (maybe) depending on water temp, and you could luck into a Kamakazee fish in the south. All in all, I have been trailering my boat to Rudee for the last 2 years avoiding the 40-50 mile trip in the boat.

Sure wish I could catch one on the sand, but every time i have been out surf fishing for stripers, it has been

[saltydawg]

I did see the sponsored boats heading out of Oregon Inlet one evening; I assumed they were all running to Rudee to spend the night and fish up there. Yeah, when you take the stripers out of the fishery, the inshore fishing in a lot of the outer Banks leaves a bit to be desired. It's a shame.

[ipscmaster]

Went to Cheseapeake bay for the first time last week. Caught my largest Striper ever first morning-- 33 lbs. I thought it was huge untill I saw several 50 to 55 lb.ers. The smallest fish we caught was 25 lbs. We got our limit both days. Got blown off the Bay on the last day. I had a great time and like Arnold say's-- I"ll be Back..

ipscmaster

[Tomasas]

Originally Posted by ipscmaster

Caught my largest Striper ever first morning-- 33 lbs. I thought it was huge untill I saw several 50 to 55 lb.ers. The smallest fish we caught was 25 lbs. We got our limit both days.

just wondering how does a 55# bass tastes?

this makes me sick...

[Critter Gitter]

Originally Posted by Tomasas

just wondering how does a 55# bass tastes?

this makes me sick...

Gonna make someone else sick also if they eat enough of it. Chart puts them at about 20+ years old.

[newsjeff]

Originally Posted by Tomasas

just wondering how does a 55# bass tastes?

this makes me sick...

Tastes great.

How's that saying go ... 50oz or 50lb ...

[TheSpaniard]

I know this statement is anti-conservation(I like to be conservation minded) but all the big stripers(up to just over 40#'s) we have taken and eaten have all tasted as good if not better than smaller fish. The thicker fillets work wonders when you want to cook it directly on the grill which happens to be my favorite way to eat striper. To each his own but IMO there is little to no difference at all between big fat heavy old fish and the 28-32" fish guys rave about. I never had one smaller than 28" so no comment there.

John

[cobia_slayer]

Originally Posted by TheSpaniard

I know this statement is anti-conservation(I like to be conservation minded) but all the big stripers(up to just over 40#'s) we have taken and eaten have all tasted as good if not better than smaller fish. The thicker fillets work wonders when you want to cook it directly on the grill which happens to be my favorite way to eat striper. To each his own but IMO there is little to no difference at all between big fat heavy old fish and the 28-32" fish guys rave about. I never had one smaller than 28" so no comment there.

John

spaniard you should try the smaller ones 10# to 20#