Guys,

Hey. I'm new to this site and also new to striper fishing. Some buddies and I are going striper fishing for the first time soon in Tenn. and i was just wondering if I could get some input from you guys.

I have a 6 feet medium heavy rod (graphite, Guide Series at Gander Mtn.), 7 ball bearing spinning reel lined with 12lb. Yo-Zuri test. Will this combo hold up okay for freshwater striper fishing?

Thanks.

i hear the hybrid freshwater stripers put up a heck of a fight... should be ok though... i use 12lb light tackle for schoolies... its a blast.

any big girls might be a challenge.

Welcome to S-B :btu:

What size / model reel ?

Hybrid bass = Spot bass cross with Striped bass.
Freshwater 'striped bass' (not hybrid) can reach up to >50 lbs! Not sure about Tennessee but Arkansas I'm pretty much sure.

Welcome to S-B :btu:

What size / model reel ?

Thanks for the welcome man.

I have a GSS40 Guide Series from Gander Mtn. The spool looks about medium size. It is a spinning reel though. I've heard it is better to use baitcasting reels when fighting larger fish but never have done it before though.

Thanks.

Guys,

On a side note, why don't you guys just tell me your rod/reel/line combo for striper and I'll just try to match as closely as I can with what I have.

Also, what size hooks and what type of hooks do you guys use for attaching live bait or cut bait?

What artificials work well?

Thanks in advance.

Hyrid is a cross between female striped bass(Morone saxatilis) and male white bass(M. chrysops).Reverse hybrid or sunshine bass is the opposite,male striper and female white bass.

Combo should be OK....Might want to go up to 20 lb test on the line... Them there TN Stripers 'll run 40 poundor so I'm told by some O'l boys who fish the TN river.

I use 7/0 live bait hooks..

Try some live shad or reallllllllly big shiners for bait....

You have big landlocks there in NC as well...

For artificials try Storm Shads, large plugs, Kastmasters...

O.W. - not sure how big that reel is as I have never heard of it but its advertised price is pretty low so I am not sure of the quality but if you get a few decent fish than it is worth the dinero ;)

Typically we would use something in the size of a 5000-6000 shimano a Penn 5500-6500 in spnning when anticpating 20# or better fish. Lines typically 30# Fireline or better. My experience with cheaper reels is that I can blow them out in a few nights of decent fishing but buy one solid reel for more coin and maintain it myself...

Though you can use light tackle, the fights tend to be longer and more harmful to the fish, preventing a safe and speedy release - not to mention the day you hook into a monster you probably won't land it...

Thanks John. How much do those 5000-6000 Shimanos cost?

a shimano baitrunner 6500 will run you about 120. i have 3 of them, my favorite spinning reel