Most of us North Carolina anglers are used to catching stripers that range in weight from 5 to 8 pounds. Just a few hours west at the Fort Loudon Dam, which forms part of the Tennessee River system, you can catch 25 to 30 pound fish at the base of the dam this time of year.
The catch rate and size of these fish varies with the amount of water that is being pushed through the dam on any day at any time. The greater the water flow, the better the bite. Times between 6 a.m. and noon seemed to work best for me on a recent trip with my stepson Keith Caminiti. We fished with Bo Rice, the premier guide on these waters. On the first morning, Keith caught this nice 25-pound striper on a 4-inch threadfin shad. The next morning, I boated a nice 41-inch, 30-pound fish using the same bait.
Fishing was best on both days between 6 a.m. and noon. On this two-day trip, we caught 24 stripers, four drum and eight catfish. The catfish were competing with the stripers for food at the base of the dam, and we caught several large catfish, one weighing more than 20 pounds.
Jake Bussolini is a freelance writer who has written five books about freshwater fishing. His books can be reviewed on www.jakestakeonfishing.com. Those interested in fishing stripers at this area of the Tennessee River system can check out Bo Rice at www.fishingwithBo.com.
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