If one is an appreciator or aficionado of freshwater fishing, one is likely to be familiar with "Striper Fishing." Striper fishing is a fisherman's dream come true, as it is the pinnacle of fine freshwater fishing. This is so due to stripers bountifulness on the Atlantic coastline and their anadromous nature. Anadromous fish are fish that live mostly in sea waters, yet have the instinctual need to travel inland toward freshwater regions solely for breeding purposes.

Saltwater Fish In Freshwater Waters

So, in essence, anglers fishing for stripers are fishing for saltwater game fish in a freshwater environment. Stripers are even known to act like saltwater fish, such as tuna or bluefish, as they school and feed as saltwater fish do in open ocean waters. From this, the experience of fishing for stripers is like no other, truly. Despite losing the prospect of reeling in an actual saltwater style lunker, fishing for stripers in locations such as rivers, bays, inlets, estuaries or creeks will prove quite gratifying, as they are large and very finicky freshwater game fish.

And it is the above characteristics that make fishing for stipers a most challenging experience. The most important thing to have in an angler's tackle box, is knowledge, specifically knowhow on how to reel in these stripers.

Be Ready To Catch Stripers

One of the more common methods anglers utilize to catch stipers includes anchor or drift fishing, specifically with live shad as bait. Firstly, fish must be spotted around a clear thermocline or under a dense area where school fish are teeming and swimming wildly. Secondly, just the right rig is needed. Seek a moderately weighted rod with a casting reel. In terms of line, purchase 20-30 pound test. Other rig requirements call for an egg sinker, a swivel, a 12-20 inch liter and a larger sized single hook as to bait and hook the back of shad. Fish with this style rig in a straight up and down manner, at the depth you've marked the fish at.

Early Morning Scouting

One approach to spot an abundance of stripers in one location is the early morning top-water method. This method is sure fire but also allows for more excitement while freshwater fishing. Survey the water at early morning for baitfish movement. The calmer waters will allow for a placid view and will easily allow spotting any disruptions on the water's surface. Top water disruptions signify that there are stripers around, as the baitfish are essentially running up to the top of the water away from larger predator fish, in this case, stripers.

To catch stripers this way, it's best to use a big Popper lure, a Pencil Popper specifically. Cast out toward an active baitfish location, then jerk it sporadically across the top of such a water surface. It's certain you'll catch many stripers this way. And, to one's add excitement, the stripers will leap out of the water to snag such a lure.