Stripers SoCal Style (psst, Scwafish)

Scwafish, since you introduced me to stripers at Lake Mendo I've been itching for more of that great, freshwater action. I finally had my chance a couple weekends back at Lake Skinner, which gets its water and its stripers from the Colorado.

Well, let's just say they grow 'em different in Mendo. Although I've seen pictures of hefty stripers from Skinner, most of the linesides look like these two of mine:



The day I visited, fishing was very slow due to a sudden temperature drop. Most anglers had given up on pitching topwaters and large, trout pattern swimbaits in favor of soaking chicken livers. I didn't want to drown bait, so instead I headed to deep water to troll a Needlefish four colors down for trout. Imagine my surprise when I hooked up and reeled in a cute little striper. In retrospect, it makes plenty of sense that I found the fish deep.

Oh well, the search for Mendo-like striper action continues...

Paul L   

Hey those are pretty little stripers.  Those would be fun on light tackle.  I have had a hard time finding Mendo-like action at Mendo, so don't feel bad!

Whadda ya mean? Didn't I see pics of you hoisting some fatties this year?   

Yep, exactly - trout-sized stripers are fun on trout tackle. In this case I need fear no guilt. According to the DFG Fisheries Biologist working to improve bass habitat at Skinner, the stripers are stunted due to overpopulation. Keeping a limit of the little ones is encouraged.