STRIPED BASS
Sodium-free stripers in a variety of venues
SODIUM FREE STRIPERS
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The striped bass has been called "America's sport fish," probably because it can be pursued up and down the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts and, thanks to populations of Atlantic striped bass that were trapped during upstream migrations in Santee-Cooper Reservoir in South Carolina and Buggs Island Lake in Virginia, a great number of freshwater inland reservoirs and river systems.
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Thanks to the diversity of waters within our region, we have the ability to pursue freshwater stripers year-round in a variety of contexts, from remote, Piedmont river spawning runs, to large pelagic environments and the cold tailwaters that feed them.
THE SEASONS
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Striped bass are incredibly mobile fish, carrying with them the genetic instinct to run up rivers to spawn, and largely feeding on schooling baitfish. Throughout the southern region of the United States, freshwater striped bass exhibit very similar seasonal patterns and movements.
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Springtime sees the upstream movement of fish to the upper ends of riverine reservoirs or into the river systems, following a spawning instinct. By late spring, these fish have largely returned to their reservoirs, and will seek cold water as summer's hot water temperatures encroach. As waters cool in the fall and winter, striped bass become more targetable with flies in lakes as they move shallower, sometimes feeding on the surface on shad and other baitfish. The diversity of water that we have available to us allows us to pursue these magnificent fish in all of these contexts.
THE SPAWNING RUN
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In early spring, as water temperatures in our inland reservoirs creep into the 50s and fresh spring rains fill our rivers with water, freshwater striped bass begin making spawning migrations up into the rivers that feed these impoundments in an attempt to spawn.
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By the middle of April, our rivers are full of targetable schools of stripers. We chase these fish in our 16.5-foot Hog Island jet skiff, sometimes fishing more than a dozen miles of remote, wild water. Sink tips and small streamers are the name of the game, and this program sees the greatest volume of fish in a typical outing as compared to any of our other seasonal striper programs, with fish ranging from 18 - 26" and bigger.
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SUMMER TAILWATER FISHING
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As reservoir water temps skyrocket in the heat of the summer, most of the fish seek cool water in the depths of lakes. Others--often, large fish--seek out cold water in bottom-release tailwaters that feed these reservoirs.
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This seasonal opportunity is more akin to musky fishing than spring spawning run striper fishing. The target is trophy fish over 30", utilizing 8- to 10-wt.rods, large streamers, and sinking lines. Often, this is mixed-bag fishing, as large brown trout often fall prey to the same tackle and techniques
RATES & POLICIES
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SPAWNING RUN 5-HOUR TRIPS: $500
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SUMMER TROPHY FISHING FULL DAY: $600
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A $100 non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, and can be paid by check or Venmo towards the total cost of the trip. The remainder is to be paid on the day of the trip by check or cash.
In order to better serve you, in the event of inclement weather or poor water conditions, as determined by Matt Reilly, deposits can be
put towards a rescheduled date within a year's time. Cancellations made by the client within 48 hours of a scheduled trip forfeit the total
cost of the trip.
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*Listed rates do not include gratuity
