Schooling stripers everywhere at Kerr

In the days before Tropical Storm Ida dumped tons of rain on North Carolina, fall striped bass fishing jumped off the charts at Kerr Lake (aka Buggs Island) — and it continues.

And even though the Corps of Engineers currently is lowering the lake’s level (which rose 16 feet in two weeks), fishing for stripers only will get better and last through early December, said guide and bass pro Joel Richardson of Kernersville.

“Buggs Island is hot for stripers right now, even though the lake level is 308 (feet above sea level) now, and it was 292 two weeks ago,” said Richardson (336-803-2195). “And it should stay that way until the second week of December.”

Water temperatures dropped to the 58- to 62-degree range, invigorating rockfish as that’s their ideal comfort zone.

“More than that, shad are schooling on top, and you can catch stripers from mid-lake all the way to North Bend Park (Virginia),” Richardson said. “They’re everywhere and there are some big ones for Buggs, from 7 to 14 pounds. It’s easy to see fish schoolin’ on top.”

Topwater lures (Richardson favors Zara Spooks) and lipless crankbaits are best bets to  catch Kerr stripers right now.

“There are so many shad out there that even largemouth bass are feeding with stripers in the middle of the lake,” Richardson said. “Two weeks ago you were just as likely to catch a bass as a striper on a topwater lure. The recent high water probably has scattered the bass, but the striper bite won’t quit. And the Corps, if they’re pulling water hard, will have the lake level back to normal (300 feet above sea level) in a couple weeks.”

In addition to plentiful schools of gizzard and threadfin shad, the fact the Corps is allowing water to flow through the Kerr Lake Dam downstream to Lake Gaston is another plus.

“Pulling water always helps the bite for everything — bass and stripers — at Buggs Island,” Richardson said.

Before going to Kerr Lake, check with the Army Corps of Engineers (434-738-4101) to find out if your favorite lake recreation area boat ramp is closed because of high water.