Stripers

[cingras53]

I fished a No-Kill stretch on the Willowemoc today and came across the remains of a very large striper. It was recently killed and all that remained was a very large head and a very large tail, nothing in between with scales scattered around. Not sure if it's a holdover fish or a very early fish from the lower estuary near the ocean. Any thoughts?

 

[flyI4]

never heard of one up that far from the delaware system, thats pretty wild. With resident stripers as far up as the west branch/upper main that seem to be around year round, its not too ridiculous to imagine how one would make its way up there. Still thats some small water for a big fish like that. A guy I spoke to said he witnessed a 28lb stripper landed on a 7 wt/big streamer rig on the upper west branch. Must have been a shocker to see that thing coming at the fly.

 

[Lonewolve]

wow thats quite a find. I know at junction pool after dark swinging a big #6 or #8 Turkey wet fly swung after dark will get ya into some very big surprises. i have landed some pretty big stripers there but not near as big as in Easton where i am from.

 

[JCapo]

How far were you from the Hudson? Could have been an early runner, I've heard reports from friends of fish on Sandy Hook already. With the warm winter too, he could have been holed up. I don't know the area that well though.

 

[cingras53]

How far were you from the Hudson? Could have been an early runner, I've heard reports from friends of fish on Sandy Hook already. With the warm winter too, he could have been holed up. I don't know the area that well though.

It's definitely not from the Hudson, that would sort of be a physical impossibility, I think it's a holdover from the Delaware system or an early runner as you term it. I'm sure he fed well on trout before his demise.

 

[JCapo]

They do go up the Delaware rather early. The warm winter kept a lot lingering in the Chesapeake area. I killed 'em in December down there. Coulda turned the corner early? Either way, if I were you I'd be swingin some clousers in the area for 'em.

 

[Barleywine]

It's definitely not from the Hudson, that would sort of be a physical impossibility, I think it's a holdover from the Delaware system or an early runner as you term it. I'm sure he fed well on trout before his demise.

Yes, a big striper is certainly chowing down on trout like crazy. So if anybody does happen to hook one on a streamer or big wet fly; then what is the law on creeling the fish? I believe that the minimum keeper size is 28" in salt water. Does this change if you catch one inland, or do you just have to put it back and let it munch away on the trout.

 

[JCapo]

Striper season opened march 1st for anything inland. 28" or greater. You do not have to let it go, it would be the same as catching the fish on the inside of the Hook, which is considered by law fresh water.

 

[GARYB]

I think somebody just cleaned the fish at the Willo, could have been caught anywhere.

 

[cingras53]

I think somebody just cleaned the fish at the Willo, could have been caught anywhere.

Yes, anything is possible but if that were true, they picked a very odd and hard to access spot to "clean" their fish.

 

[Trouser Trout]

Striper season opened march 1st for anything inland. 28" or greater. You do not have to let it go, it would be the same as catching the fish on the inside of the Hook, which is considered by law fresh water.

WTF are you talking about?