Southwest Outdoorsman

Hybrid Striper run on the Kaskaskia River

Mon, August 01, 2011

Usually this time of the year spillway and river fisherman on the Kaskaskia River are used to dealing with low river levels and slim to none white bass or hybrids to chase, but with the record rains the Southwestern Illinois area has received this spring and early summer, Carlyle lake has been as high as 9 foot above normal pool level and Shelbyville hasn’t been that far behind.  That means good things for the striped species anglers, which is a consistent flow of water that is being released from both of the lakes Dams.  Those consistent release rates of cool deep water and boosted dissolved oxygen levels from Carlyle draws hybrids, white bass and even true stripers off the Mississippi Rivers in search for a break from the warmer waters of the Mighty Miss. While high water can ruin the bite on one species, it can really turn another one on!

This year has been the most productive I have even seen for the striped species and fishing has been hot and steady the last couple months.  This weekend after I got some work done in the deer woods I headed down to the Kaskaskia to target some hybrids that have been busting shad throughout the late evening hours and provide plenty of drag screaming fun on 8 lb test.  The hybrids did not disappoint as me and a couple friends quickly caught out limit of 3 hybrids over 17” and ended up with 32 hybrids total. Out of all the species I have fished for, nothing is more exciting than watching a pack of Hybrids or Stripers bust a group of shad on top water. It is the closest thing I have ever seen to a shark feeding frenzy!

6 Lb 7 oz hybrid. biggest of the afternoon

6 Lb 2 oz & 5 Lb 10 oz Hybrid

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