Striper Fishing LIVE BAIT in Freshwater! How to catch Striped Bass RIGHT NOW! Planers and Floats

[@AskLeRoy]

I work out of my garage, when I start my day I turn on your videos and listen to them as back ground noise and entertainment. When I'm done with work we load the boat and go hammer the stripers 2-3 times a week. Your videos mean a lot to me and my fishing buddies

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I really appreciate that brother! Keeps me motivated 👍. Catch em all!!! 😁🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I really appreciate your support 🙏

[@AskLeRoy]

Mike, I have a bunch of spoons and at least one pole with one on it at all times. That's because of you and your channel. I caught a huge large mouth from it and we seem to catch at least one hefty striper every time we go out with one. That's all because of your extensive videos on spoons and what to do with them. I plan on joining your paid subscription here soon once I get the chance too

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

@AskLeRoy YES! That’s awesome! I love hearing that. Please keep me posted whenever you have a minute to comment. If you have any tips or tricks I’d love to hear about them too. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👍❤️

[@biscuitjh]

Glad to see freshwater videos again. I would love more freshwater videos to learn from you. Thanks for all you do

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Good to hear!! Thanks brother!! 😁🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏. I appreciate your support ❤️

[@rolandogarza1151]

Awesome video capt. Plenty of great tips and tricks.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@billreddochoutdoors5968]

Always love it when a notification pops up of a Mike Smedley video, great stuff as always Captain, Team Old School 👊

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

My man!!! 😁🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@johnvanzandt2040]

Mike, you are fishing the exact way I was taught. Only one thing I do differently is when using larger shad, I use a small chunk of plastic worm or crappie jig on the hook between the bait and the barb. When the shad gets spooked I have found they will often throw the hook especially if using kale hooks. Enjoy all your videos and please keep them coming.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!!! Check out bait buttons. They are really cool- cheap- and work great. Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@yotasteve]

Man I love seeing the old videos of the old original Sea Pro!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

That boat is still catching fish brother! It was on over 50 bodies of water when I last tried to figure it out. 8 or 9 different states. The total number-Team Old School from day 1 is around 70 bodies of water and 11 states. A lot were the NSBA days.

[@FishinDr]

I’ve been catching them deep anywhere from 25-50 ft all winter on smith mtn lake, but the last few weeks they have disappeared. This video has me thinking to run up the creek but all the rain has turned the back of the major creeks into trash.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes sir! I’d be in the skinny water up on the points👍👍👍👍👍🙏

[@dannyneihart1821]

I didnt realize you ran your bait that close to the planner board. Thanks for sharing all that!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes sir! Boards furthest from the boat get the shortest lines from the boards. 👍👍Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@stebarr70]

Awesome video buddy! That was a miserable, but great day! Would love to do it again sometime. I think I know that handsome fella in the camo rainsuit. 😂

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

MY MAN!! Hopefully we can do it again without the freezing monsoon and lightning 😝

[@johngiel9471]

Been sitting around last few months waiting on March. You don’t stop catching them🤣. Good job. Hopefully they’re in New Jersey soon🤞🏻🤞🏻

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!!! Soon!! Soon!!! 😁

[@markd6430]

Another info vid👏👏got my lake map out stratagizing😅. Joined the cow tier, know I'm gonna like it.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Hell yeah brother!! You have no idea how much I appreciate your generosity! Keep me posted on your fishing! Thanks again!!!! 🙏🙏🙏👍

[@olmilfishrock]

Awesome video! Thanks for your knowledge with the rest of us. What about lake Ouachita in Arkansas?

[@Joe-ps8ko]

I love watching you guys from Oklahoma.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@oldhippie7538]

Longtime follower here, I've learned a ton from you. SML is my happy place. Can you give me a tip on catching on artificial this time of year?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Absolutely. My goto for winter are flukes. Silver. White, pearl, golden brown. 6” size with small weight jig head. 3/8 oz 1/2 oz. Fish the points in the creeks. Gills creek is a great one. Start in the back and work towards the main lake. Keep me posted!👍👍

[@glennwhite5187]

I try to run two balloons out back 2 boards either side and a weighted straight line rt off corner of boat so often that short line will get slammed

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Hell yeah brother!!! Transom rod is exciting. Especially when you only let 10ft out😛😆

[@oldhippie7538]

Sorry, you already answered my question!❤

[@Dirtysouth_IkeFord]

Thanks for this video bro 💪🏻

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Glad you dig it!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@glennwhite5187]

You know your doing it right when they are smacking the boards,lol!!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Agreed😁🙏👍

[@skunkofftackle]

Love the video man thanks for everything!!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@FogmanFisheries]

Awesome as usual Mike! One thing I didn't see in action though is a transom bait. You mentioned sharing things among followers; so I thought I might contribute. I know you know what I mean, but for those who don't here it is.Take a light action spinning setup, lob the bait only about 15 feet behind the boat with a small split shot, and simply set in a holder. When that shallow, stripers will often use your boat for cover and totally murder that bait like a nice 30 incher did for me on Murray this morning! Just another tool in the box. Keep em coming my man!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes!!! Great point! Excellent tip to share! I do indeed run a transom rod as well most times. I don’t know if I ever really explained it well though. I do it a few different ways. I used to use a very long floppy downrigger rod mounted so low that the top few feet of the rod are under water. It would slap the surface as the boat moved up and down. It saved more than one tournament for sure! I really appreciate your comment on how you run your back rod. Not many people like to share these things as you know. Thanks brother!!

[@FogmanFisheries]

Most don't believe us and won't try it.@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS

[@michaelcorcoran5995]

Mike, I haven't heard you mention the trolling motor speed. I assume it's .7 mph. Most people don't live near the ocean. Would appreciate more about lake fishing.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I tweak it all day, but usually from .1-.8 I may speed up to get to points and then slow down on the point. Etc. 👍👍

[@rodneyallen6038]

Water Bugs are my favorite board

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

They are cool little boards for sure. Bigger Gizzards give them a hard time in a chop.

[@gregcutshall4581]

Just curious if you have ever been to my home lake Raystown lake in central Pennsylvania

[@hoag2531]

I’m on SML. Having a trolling motor installed on my boat now. I’ve searched for your website & only find your KZbin. I’d love to book a trip with you on SML when you’re down here! Do you have a link to a website where I can book a tour with you? Thanks for the videos! Definitely helpful.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I appreciate your support brother!! Unfortunately I stopped doing charters quite a few years back because I’m doing videos full time. I had to stop because I don’t know exactly where I will be in advance to fill a schedule, and I really need to stay on fish in one place daily to produce excellent trips. I’m hoping to be able to do a few trips here and there in the near future. Thanks for thinking of me!!! 🙏🙏🙏👍

[@jasengrubbs4599]

I’d like to see a Lake Anna VA trip or even be a part of it. Hard lake to figure out for me

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I’ve never been there, but know a few guys that fish there regularly. Hemby was a guide I used to talk to quite a bit out there about his Simrad’s.

[@bryantrantow3510]

Great video Mike. Do you know when the Striper Stealth Medium and MH trolling rods will be back in stock? Any other recommendations for live bait trolling rods?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks brother!!! And 🥴🥴🥴🥴🥴. It’s been tough goin at CTF to get their recent order of stock. They are having some problems with time frames that were promised to them from a 3rd party. The CTF guys are extremely frustrated, but it finally looks like the stock will arrive soon. A big part of the struggle to stock the MH falls on me since I recommend the MH very often I’m my videos. Since day one of my videos the MH flew out the door. They usually have plenty of the other power ratings. My favorite for an all around striper rod is the MH, but I need them to perform in fresh and salt from 5lbers in lakes to 50+ lbers in salt. All with live and cut bait and a touch of trolling. The M and H are still excellent rods and catch just as many fish. I just really like the MH. Don’t give it another thought about ordering the M or the H, you will be very pleased. The MH has a slightly softer tip than the H and more backbone than the M, but the actual difference between them is marginal. If you don’t mind waiting, go with MH, but don’t think that the H and M are no good. They are excellent. The MH is slightly more dialed in for use in every style of fishing. Use my affiliate code Smedley5 to save you a few Beans for whichever way you go.

[@bryantrantow3510]

Thanks for the insight Mike, much appreciated. I live near and fish Lanier so wanted go on the lighter side but may give a Heavy a shot.

[@willeypoboy5607]

I want to be like Mike! Thanks Bro! From mouth of the Patomac.....

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@brycekendall8697]

Hey dude! Would love a video or advice on how to catch freshwater striper from the bank. How would you do it? No boat or electronics. I'm on Lake Hartwell. Appreciate it dude!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Great idea. I fished that lake a few times many years ago. Thanks for the support brother!!🙏🙏👍👍😁

[@brycekendall8697]

Sweet! Thanks dude!

[@ManningTheOutdoors]

How about Lake Norman NC, have you made a video on it?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I haven’t made a video there, but fished many tournaments years ago. We fished Norman the same exact way as every other striper lake. It really is incredible how Stripers behave the exact same way from lake to lake in the south. Stumpy creek in winter thru spring was our honey hole. The first tournament we did there was a huge one. Over 200 teams over 2 days. 1 fish weigh in. We weighed in a 6lb fish feeling totally defeated. We didn’t feel like staying for the 4 hour weigh in and interviews. On the ride home the NSBA called me to say we won 3rd place 😂😂😂. I was totally shocked.

[@ManningTheOutdoors]

That's awesome. I fish for everything, and am wanting to learn to find them during the seasons. I appreciate you taking the time to show how you find them. How far out is your sidescan when looking? What reels are those?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

@ManningTheOutdoors I use Accurate 400 Valiant low gear. The Accurate 400 Fury suites Striper fishing perfectly and they are cheaper than the Valiant. The Valiant is excellent but overkill for most striper fishing. I look to the side going 3-4 times the water depth

[@brockeaton8698]

We just caught them today around standing timber in 45fow on main lake. It's it worth fishing backs of the creeks yet or is it still too cold up here?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Cool brother!! Nice work! I start fishing creeks around December and stay there until mid June. Creeks on the upper ends are best in spring, right now they will be in any creek that has baitfish in them. Your bigger fish will be in the creeks right now. 👍👍👍😁

[@dylanlyons3303]

Do you like j hooks or circles hooks better for bigger live bait behind a planner board?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Circles 100%. But NOT Gamakatsu bent eye. Those have a horrible hookup ratio with or without snell. My “go to” freshwater hook is this right here. No snell, just palomar or clinch depending on line. I swear my hookup ratio is close to 100% with these. Here’s an affiliate link amzn.to/4bS7RsC

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Keep me posted if you like them. I have a feeling I know already though😜😜amzn.to/4bS7RsC

[@renoldhappel3734]

Mike been meaning to ask you this What brand are those Quad rod holders you have. I haven’t seen similar ones with what seems to be a very adjustable

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

They are actually just 18” rails that I had made and attached Smith adjustable rod holders to. I’m working on getting someone to make them because I get more questions about those things than anything else😂

[@ScottCooner-bf7dg]

What planers you recommend for fresh water

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

My buddy at Skunk-off tackle makes some awesome super light clear boards. He ships fast and stands behind his stuff. Wwwskunkofftackle.com

[@ScottCooner-bf7dg]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS thanks mike

[@garytingler3222]

I grew around smith Mountain lake. Beautiful lake until summer when all the idots come out!!

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

It’s a cool place. Summer is absolutely INSANE on that lake like you said 🤣. The house boats used to be everywhere out there too. Drunk dudes hanging all over them and even pulling tubes🤣

[@glennwhite5187]

Like those boards good place to order???

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

The boards in this video are Zakk Royce models. They pop up with Google. I’ve also been using super light clear boards my buddy makes. Www.SKUNKOFF.com.

[@robertwestrom6878]

I heard someone comment that planer boards don't work in Raritan Bay. Do you use planers in the bay?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Absolutely. I have 5 or 6 videos up on the Raritan with boards and eels. Just had to be more careful with boat traffic. They work everywhere. We used them in Boston too. 👍

[@robertwestrom6878]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS thanks. I thought I had seen you in the bay.

[@Opportunistic]

What reel are you using I didn't see it below

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Accurate 400 size Valiants. Fury’s are excellent too!

[@Opportunistic]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS thanks!

[@johngiel9471]

Totally random but I run same electronics as you on my sea pro Do you use a chip with units for charts?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

I use Navionics platinum plus which is really pretty good.

[@johngiel9471]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS thanks mike.

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Also, I have platinum plus for the salt too because I like the ability to use shared edits from other boats recording with sonar chart live. It gives you 1.2 and 3 ft contours. However the built in charts are very good. I end up just using them.

[@johngiel9471]

@@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS yea I’m in salt. Chestnut neck boatyard in port republic NJ

[@peterdaly3487]

Can you do one on lake muarry sc

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

That’s a very good chance soon. I have several guide buddies down there 👍👍👍👍

[@peterdaly3487]

That would be awesome I fished chipp Bragg a few times

[@cookiemelon8087]

My spot at SML 😁

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

😁👍

[@rodneyallen6038]

Smith mountain Lake?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

Yes sir.

[@glennwhite5187]

Tech illiterate my friend what is patreon?

[@MikeSmedleyOLDSCHOOLSTRIPERS]

It’s a website where you can join with $2 - $20 per month to help support my channel. Because KZbin policies have changed to compete with TikTok, channels like mine are getting massacred. They bury long format videos and boost shorts with horrible behavior. To them a dislike is same as a like. It’s all engagement. So there is incentive to behave badly and KZbin is flooded with bad videos now The huge drop in income from KZbin has nearly killed my channel. I was never trying to get rich, but I do need that money for expenses to shoot video. Just one toll bridge in NY we cross, charges $59 with a boat 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️. You not only support my channel but get some cool perks too, like sharing my cell number for text questions whenever you want, you get the GPS numbers I am presently Fishing and behind scenes stuff too. Also, free baits from time to time. 👍