This is a good beginning and just a small step in locating fish It will get you off on the right foot. You will be doing the work and receiving the rewards for doing it (catching fish). When you catch fish (both big & small) you should keep a log with this basic information as shown below:

The above information is valuable and can be used throughout your fishing career. In addition to keeping records do the following when you are trying to locate and catch fish: (The following information is geared towards catching Stripers, but is to be applied when searching out any species)

Before going on the water:

1) Study a good chart. One that shows all water depths, type of bottom, markers, wrecks, shorelines, etc. (I purchased one titled 'Charts of the Chesapeake' from The Fisherman's Edge 1-800-338-0053, ask for Joe). Plot the areas you want to fish before going on the water. Because the of the wind, make sure they are in different locations.

Make 2 photo copies of the area you plan to fish. One for the boat and one to keep on file. Mark the exact locations on your boat copy that you plan to fish. If they produce, mark them on your file copy.

2) Look for the type of structures (points, sandbars, bridge pilings, underwater mounds, etc.) that have deep water nearby. Deep water does not mean 90'. Deep water is relevant to its surroundings. Most structures that hold small stripers usually hold larger ones. During a sunny day larger stripers are usually located around the same structure as the small stripers, but are deeper. They let the little stripers do the work. They get the dead or wounded baitfish that the small stripers hit and miss. I keep saying usually because there are no set rules in striped bass fishing. You must be flexible and ready to change locations, lures and tactics at a moments notice.

3) Check the local forecast. Then you can plan what structures you will fish. Doing the above before you hit the water will save you valuable time and will give you more time to fish instead of looking.

When you are on the water:

1) Fish around structures, starting at the deepest part to the shallowest part. That way you don't run over a good area and spook the fish. Fish this entire structure a minimum of 3 times.

2) Cast a different type of lure each time you go around this structure. On the 1st time around I suggest casting a Bass Assassin, 4" Salt Water Sea Shad or Curly Tail on a 1/4 oz. or 3/8 oz. round head jig. The size of jig head depends on the speed of the current. This bait can be fished from just below the surface to the bottom. If no stripers are caught the 2nd time around, cast either a Cotton Cordell, 1/2 oz., Ratt'l Spot Minnow (they are hard to get--if you find them buy some), or a Bill Lewis, 1/2 oz. or 3/4 oz., Rat-L-Trap. Fish these vibrating crankbaits at different depths using a countdown method. At times let the Spot Minnow or Rat-L-Trap hit the bottom until there is slack in the line, then start your retrieve. If no stripers are caught the 3rd time around, I use a deep diving crankbait half way around, then a jigging spoon the other half. Make sure the jigging spoon hits the bottom before you start using a pumping retrieve. You should try to cover all depths of the water column around this structure. If you don't catch any stripers and still think it is a good structure, come back when conditions are different. Those conditions could be time of day, tide movement, weather, water temperature, etc. I recommend doing this at least 3 times before writing it off.

Important Note: You do not have to use large lures to catch large stripers. When you use large lures you will cut down on your catch, because 'large lures catch large fish' (No wonder the smaller fish can't even get its mouth around it). You must use different types, colors, and sizes of lures to catch stripers. The lures listed in my reports usually catch ANY SIZE STRIPER.

3) You must KEEP RECORDS. Put time on the water fishing different type of structures at different times of the year and under different conditions to know when the fish will be there. I don't know of any other way to do it.  

Here is THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION I CAN GIVE YOU. Every time you catch a Striper (or fish) ask yourself 'why is this fish at this location?'. In time you will be able to answer that. When you do, you will have the knowledge and confidence to fish any body of water and catch fish.

Keep asking questions and do as much reading as possible. Fall is a prime time for catching LARGE stripers. They come in the shallows and feed heavy before the winter. For that reason they are easier to catch. They are just tougher to catch during the hot, sunny summer days. I know this for sure, large stripers are in the water I fish and I aim to locate them and make them take a lure.

Hope to see you on the water with the rod bent!

Tight Lines,