Fishface Loc: Murphy NC

I have been fishing Hiwassee Lake for about 3 years and although I sometimes find the Stripers I rarely catch them. Does anyone have any tips or spots. I have used large minnows, Jig with fluke tail, and assorted soft baits. The last time I fished there the water was coming out of the dam and the trails of moving water in the main lake showed fish stacked up in huge numbers. I dragged everything i had through the fish and didn't catch any. ( I did not have live bait that day).

florida Loc: Southwest Florida/ Virginia

I know how you feel, I fish Smith Mountain in Va for stripers. I have found that live bait is pretty much a must. Ale's or jumbo minnows if you can't throw a cast net. Use planer boards and down lines at different depths. this time of year fish are deep, maybe 30-50 feet. Use down lines and troll .3-.6 MPH. If not fishing first light. If marked, go the depth with down lines. Good luck.

Fishface Loc: Murphy NC

Thanks. The fish seem to be mostly 40 to 60 feet deep. The hot live bait here are Blue Back Herring but you can't buy them in North Carolina. I can get them in Georgia but they are expensive and don't keep well.

Pressure drop Loc: NC

If you can find em, shiners or small brim are worth a try, and they'll last pretty good.