September / October 2016 Newsletter
In This Edition
|
|
|
Club Board Members
|
Committee Chairs
|
Lake Clean-up
Cindy Turlington Club Photographer Bob Rowe Joe's Coffee Joe Wolf Christmas Party Rick Boettcher Tournaments Steve Nagel |
Upcoming Meetings & Events
Unless otherwise noted, Club meetings are held at 7 pm, the 1st Friday of each month at the Moneta Community Center - in the back-side, lower-level of the Pharmacy building on Rucker Rd, just off VA-122. Visitors and New Members are always welcome.
October Club Meeting - 10/7 - Fall Fishing Preview - We will be discussing Fall fishing techniques & tactics to prepare for the cooler water that's coming.
November Club Meeting - 11/4 - Capt. Kathy F of "Spike's Prime Time Charters" will be on hand to share some tips & tricks. We'll also have our annual reports and elect Board Officers for 2017.
Club Christmas Dinner - 12/2 - See additional details later in this newsletter
October Club Meeting - 10/7 - Fall Fishing Preview - We will be discussing Fall fishing techniques & tactics to prepare for the cooler water that's coming.
November Club Meeting - 11/4 - Capt. Kathy F of "Spike's Prime Time Charters" will be on hand to share some tips & tricks. We'll also have our annual reports and elect Board Officers for 2017.
Club Christmas Dinner - 12/2 - See additional details later in this newsletter
President's Corner
Welcome to the September / October Newsletter...... sorry that September has all but slipped by (it not gone by the time you get this). Things got a little hectic for your Club President / Newsletter editor recently and I'm just catching up on getting this one out the door (thanks to some downtime at night while on the road in a hotel-room for business this week). I'm going to use this opportunity to make a plea for someone to help step up to assist with the newsletter - in terms of either helping pull together content, compile the content or other - but getting some help on the newsletter would be much appreciated. You don't have to be a published author (though you would be once helping out....), or a journalism major or a newspaper editor - if you know your way behind a computer that's about all that's needed.
I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to Fall arriving - ready to see the cooling water temperatures and Fall Fishing. We'll be talking about Fall Fishing at our October meeting so be sure to come and get and share some tips.
Fish On! - Mike Ward
I don't know about you but I'm looking forward to Fall arriving - ready to see the cooling water temperatures and Fall Fishing. We'll be talking about Fall Fishing at our October meeting so be sure to come and get and share some tips.
Fish On! - Mike Ward
July & August Meeting Summaries
In July we had our annual Fish Fry - we enjoyed the food & opportunity to socialize with other members.
In August, Joel Janecek led a discussion on fishing with kids - with some good techniques on how to involve them in a fun day of fishing. Then we had a discussion on late Summer fishing techniques & target locations.
In September, Mike Ward led a presentation on fishing sonar technologies - covering the basis of sonar and also newer technologies such as CHIRP & Side/Down scan. We also reviewed a number of user-submitted screen-shots to help folks get a better understanding of what they are seeing when out on the water.
In August, Joel Janecek led a discussion on fishing with kids - with some good techniques on how to involve them in a fun day of fishing. Then we had a discussion on late Summer fishing techniques & target locations.
In September, Mike Ward led a presentation on fishing sonar technologies - covering the basis of sonar and also newer technologies such as CHIRP & Side/Down scan. We also reviewed a number of user-submitted screen-shots to help folks get a better understanding of what they are seeing when out on the water.
SMSC Board Elections
In November we will hold our 2017 Board Elections. We have several board positions up for vote, and are in need of at least one or two volunteers that would be willing to place their names into consideration for elections. It is important that we have a board that represents the cross-section of our members in all aspects. Bring a board member is not a large time commitment - rather you help set the direction / priority for the Club and it's activities. If you think you may be interested, pull a board member aside or give one of them a call to discuss.
SMSC Christmas Party
Hard to believe we're talking about Christmas already but it will be here before we know it. Our annual Christmas party will be held on the 1st Friday of December. This year we will be holding it at the Moneta Community Center where we have our monthly meetings. Cost will be $15/person again this year for a great dinner and I've good it on good authority that Santa Clause is going to be making a stop by for all the good little girls & boys. This is always a great evening to connect with other members and their spouses and is an enjoyable time for everyone. Signup can be done at the October and November meetings. Look for additional details to be included in the November / December newsletter.
Member Catches
SMSC Members have been getting it done this Spring! It's great to be able to share and enjoy these images of others catching fish - please submit yours - you can post them to the Club Facebook page, or send them to [email protected].
Striper Mafia Tournament Series
The Striper Mafia Tournament Series is preparing to kick off its second season at the end of October. The Striper Club is joining forces again this season, partnering to help spread the importance of protecting our larger fish through Catch-Photo-Release during the cool-water seasons while offering opportunities for competitive striper fishing on SML. This series features individual event competition, along with an optional Big Fish prize - but also an overlying Team of the Year Series award. An overlay Youth Competition will also be held for anglers 15 and under.
A Club member has generously donated $1,000 to be used as a "Big Fish of the Series" prize which will be awarded in April. This individual has asked that the award be named after someone who has been influential to the fishery and the tournament directors of the Striper Mafia Series have decided that this award will be named after a deserving Club member which has done exactly that. More to come on this in the near future.
The first event will be held on Saturday, Oct 29th with a Captain's meeting on Friday evening before. Entry fee is $100 per boat with an optional $25 big fish entry. 60 teams are currently registered for the October event - hitting our reset cap - but we will open a few more slots if there are Club-member based teams desiring to fish that have not yet registered (please contact Mike Ward directly before registering). Additional events will be held on December 3, March 18 & April 8, 2017. Registration for the October or other events can be done on-line at: http://www.smlstripermafia.com/registration.html
If there is sufficient interest from Club members for a "fun" tournament in the warmer months we will still hold a Member/Guest style tournament during June or early July to provide other opportunities for "bragging rights fishing" for our members.
A Club member has generously donated $1,000 to be used as a "Big Fish of the Series" prize which will be awarded in April. This individual has asked that the award be named after someone who has been influential to the fishery and the tournament directors of the Striper Mafia Series have decided that this award will be named after a deserving Club member which has done exactly that. More to come on this in the near future.
The first event will be held on Saturday, Oct 29th with a Captain's meeting on Friday evening before. Entry fee is $100 per boat with an optional $25 big fish entry. 60 teams are currently registered for the October event - hitting our reset cap - but we will open a few more slots if there are Club-member based teams desiring to fish that have not yet registered (please contact Mike Ward directly before registering). Additional events will be held on December 3, March 18 & April 8, 2017. Registration for the October or other events can be done on-line at: http://www.smlstripermafia.com/registration.html
If there is sufficient interest from Club members for a "fun" tournament in the warmer months we will still hold a Member/Guest style tournament during June or early July to provide other opportunities for "bragging rights fishing" for our members.
Gill Netting
With Fall comes time for gill netting by DGIF. If you see a string of buoys off some major lake points in October, November or December these are most likely gill nets set by DGIF for purposes of collecting fish for size & population analysis. SMSC members have helped with this effort and once again we have a chance to do so. Several members are assisting in October, but if you have interest in helping in November or December, please contact Dan Wilson of DGIF directly by calling him at (434) 942-0405.
2016 Fish Ladder
A few new entries onto the ladder since our last newsletter - Ray Witte upgraded his status while Macky May climbed into the ladder. When fishing, take a picture of our catch on a measuring device and submit the pic via Facebook, e-mail or bring it to the Club meeting to secure your spot - remember, you can always "upgrade" throughout the year.
|
Fishing Outlook for September & October
Ok, September is almost over so this won't be much help :), but September patterns typically feature schooled fish holding in mid to deep levels on the lower end of the lake. In late September jigging flukes can often be more productive than fishing live bait, perhaps due to the fact that the fish are starting to key in on smaller, "young of the year" baitfish. Areas on the Roanoke side around Strawberry Banks down to Benards / Sportsmans are typical go-to spots, along with the lower-end of the Blackwater - but don't overlook up the lake as there typically is a school roaming the upper ends if the thermocline allows.
In October the fish will begin to transition into their Fall patterns. Early October can be tough as the fish are moving but look for them to be heading up river - find the bait and find the fish - massive piles of young hatched gizzards in the upper ends of the lake an backs of creeks are great places to look for striper - though it can be tough going as the fish have so much to feed on. However, October evenings can also bring some great top-water breaking action, so keep a top-water lure of some type tied on and ready to go at all times. Be mindful of water temperatures in early October as they are often still a bit too warm to release fish - once we get to the low 70's or below for surface temps then you can safely consider releasing striper again and get ready for Rocktober!
In October the fish will begin to transition into their Fall patterns. Early October can be tough as the fish are moving but look for them to be heading up river - find the bait and find the fish - massive piles of young hatched gizzards in the upper ends of the lake an backs of creeks are great places to look for striper - though it can be tough going as the fish have so much to feed on. However, October evenings can also bring some great top-water breaking action, so keep a top-water lure of some type tied on and ready to go at all times. Be mindful of water temperatures in early October as they are often still a bit too warm to release fish - once we get to the low 70's or below for surface temps then you can safely consider releasing striper again and get ready for Rocktober!
Tackle Tip for September - Jigging Flukes
As mentioned in the section above, flukes can be a good go-to bait in late September as the fish start to key in on smaller baits. Often you will be on a school of fish that willl to touch a down-lined bait but if you drop a pearl white or crystal white fluke on a 3/8 or 1/2 oz jig down to them they will hammer it. Using lighter tackle rods and jigging up a fish can be a blast - just keep in mind that with the high water temps still, and the longer fight on lighter tackle, that the success of releasing that fish is lowered so consider catching your two and call it quits for the day.
Just a Little Tease of Fall - 9/4/16
Weather: Wonderful - 59 to start rising into low 70's, light to no wind, mostly sunny once the sun got up into the sky
Water: 67-69; visibility of a couple of feet
Techniques: freelined gizzards (8-10") on planer boards (4); float with light weight and a silver dollar gizzard.
The last few days of cool temps got things stirring inside with that tingle of Fall, so yesterday while out for a boat-ride I did a little scouting on a spot or two that will sometimes have cooler water and I was not disappointed so I filled up the tank and then dropped the family off at one of the local marinas so they could get a drink & a snack and hang-out and I proceeded to toss the net for a little while to catch some gizzards - plenty of silver-dollars to be had but the larger ones were very hit and miss - but I scraped up 10 or so in the 8"-10" range and tossed in a 1/2 dozen silver dollars for good measure and picked the family back up and headed to the house knowing what I was going to be doing at sun-up today....
Even with a light load of "smallish" gizzards they made their share of a mess - a couple of filter cleanings after returning to the house and then later in the evening took care of the worse of it....
Water: 67-69; visibility of a couple of feet
Techniques: freelined gizzards (8-10") on planer boards (4); float with light weight and a silver dollar gizzard.
The last few days of cool temps got things stirring inside with that tingle of Fall, so yesterday while out for a boat-ride I did a little scouting on a spot or two that will sometimes have cooler water and I was not disappointed so I filled up the tank and then dropped the family off at one of the local marinas so they could get a drink & a snack and hang-out and I proceeded to toss the net for a little while to catch some gizzards - plenty of silver-dollars to be had but the larger ones were very hit and miss - but I scraped up 10 or so in the 8"-10" range and tossed in a 1/2 dozen silver dollars for good measure and picked the family back up and headed to the house knowing what I was going to be doing at sun-up today....
Even with a light load of "smallish" gizzards they made their share of a mess - a couple of filter cleanings after returning to the house and then later in the evening took care of the worse of it....
Honestly was expecting a big ol' skunk but that was OK as I was pulling boards, there was a enough of a crisp chill to the air that I had to put on a jacket and I had not seen a boat all morning.... all was right with the world....
Pulled for about an hour with not much more than a nervous (or bored) bait when around 7:30 I saw the bank-side inside board with a money-maker come up and then a fish swirled and smacked it a couple of times and then it was FISH ON! I was expecting this to be a small fish the way it was smacking at the bait but then it started pulling some drag and heading to the bank so I had to get serious about it.... Was afraid I was going to lose the fish when it wrapped in a float line and headed towards the prop - but fortunately I got it back around the side of the boat and landed it - that dink turned out to be a 16 lb / 34.5" fish.
Snapped a couple of quick pics and then revived it in the cool water and sent it back on its way..... almost packed things in for the day right then and there but decided to pull on a while - didn't have another sniff the rest of the morning and I packed it in around 9:30 or so with my "fix" satisfied and headed back to the house and family and a plate of pancakes and bacon!
Fall will be here soon...........
Pulled for about an hour with not much more than a nervous (or bored) bait when around 7:30 I saw the bank-side inside board with a money-maker come up and then a fish swirled and smacked it a couple of times and then it was FISH ON! I was expecting this to be a small fish the way it was smacking at the bait but then it started pulling some drag and heading to the bank so I had to get serious about it.... Was afraid I was going to lose the fish when it wrapped in a float line and headed towards the prop - but fortunately I got it back around the side of the boat and landed it - that dink turned out to be a 16 lb / 34.5" fish.
Snapped a couple of quick pics and then revived it in the cool water and sent it back on its way..... almost packed things in for the day right then and there but decided to pull on a while - didn't have another sniff the rest of the morning and I packed it in around 9:30 or so with my "fix" satisfied and headed back to the house and family and a plate of pancakes and bacon!
Fall will be here soon...........
Tackle Tip for October - Swimsuits
You thought I was going to say something about big bait & planer boards didn't you :)
October can feature some great evening action for busting fish - so keeping a top-water lure - or even better a smaller swim-bait handy is a very good idea. The smaller Storm pre-rigged swim-baits in Pearl look very much like the young shad that the fish are feeding on. If the water is highly stained, consider chartreuse color. I also like the "Mr. Waggs" swimsuits from Yee Haw baits as they have an incredible swimming action and a lot of great color choices - just make sure to upgrade the hooks to a stouter hook / jig head as the stock hooks will bend open under a modest striper.
October can feature some great evening action for busting fish - so keeping a top-water lure - or even better a smaller swim-bait handy is a very good idea. The smaller Storm pre-rigged swim-baits in Pearl look very much like the young shad that the fish are feeding on. If the water is highly stained, consider chartreuse color. I also like the "Mr. Waggs" swimsuits from Yee Haw baits as they have an incredible swimming action and a lot of great color choices - just make sure to upgrade the hooks to a stouter hook / jig head as the stock hooks will bend open under a modest striper.
Please Support our Club Sponsors & Advertisers
Our Club Sponsors and Advertisers provide a valuable support to the Smith Mountain Striper Club and our membership. When in need of goods or services, please give our sponsors consideration and also let them know that you appreciate their support of the Club.
Smith Mountain Striper Club members receive a 10% Discount
Call or e-mail for details. [email protected] / (304) 928-7653 www.rockcreekplaners.com/planer-boards/ |
Check us out on the net at www.castnets.com or call us at (800) 332-6387 ext. 100 and tell them you a member of the Smith Mountain Striper Club to order your nets and receive a 50% discount of list prices.
|