How to Catch Arkansas Stripers
- 1). Fish in lakes with healthy populations of stripers including Beaver, Greers Ferry, Bull Shoals, Dardanelle, Hamilton, Norfolk and Ouachita. Search in deeper parts of the lake or locate schools of shad and other baitfish to find stripers. Stripers prefer water temperatures ranging from 55 to 70 degrees F. For bigger fish, test your angling skills at the Arkansas River. According to Arkansawstripers.com, the Arkansas River has a good striped bass population and might be the only water in the state where wild reproduction of stripers occur.
- 2). Use a 6.5- to 7.5-foot medium- to heavy-action baitcasting rods with wide spool reels and 15 lb. to 25 lb. monofilament line when fishing for stripers weighing from 15 to 40 lbs. For bigger stripers, opt for 7- to 8-foot medium-heavy to heavy baitcasting rods with 30 to 40 lb. monofilament line.
- 3). Cast a combination of striper lures such as topwater to deep water crank baits and bottom bouncers such as jigs and spoons. For shallow depths, use topwater lures like Zara spoons and Rapalas in colors of black, blue chrome and chrome. For crankbaits in shallow waters, opt for Super rogue and Rapalas in trout patterns and chrome colors while Rattletraps in 1/2 oz. and 3/4 oz. work well in medium depths. When striper fishing in deep waters, deep-diving crank baits such as the Rebel Minnow in chrome colors and trout patterns are effective.
- 4). Follow the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission regulations for striped bass fishing. This can vary depending on your fishing lakes. According the Arkansas Fishing Guidebook for 2011, striper anglers at Beaver Lake in Benton, Washington and Carroll counties must adhere to a combined daily limit of three for striped and hybrid striped bass fishing. The minimum length for striped bass is 20 inches for catch and keep.
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