Stripers are considered predators.  They ambush their prey at any given opportunity.  In order to ambush a shad or squawfish swimming by, Stripers will relate to any type of structure that provides a hiding place with little or no current but has current that runs by and brings their prey past them.  Some obvious types of structures are irrigation pumps and pipes, rocks, weed lines, tulles, points extending into the water, pilings, and pillars.  However, other areas that can hold fish are shallow sand bars and shoals that lead out to deeper water and uneven bottoms with dips or holes where Stripers can hide in and get out of the current.   Since Stripers are hovering near structure, it is essential that when trolling, the lures need to be presented as close to structure as possible.  Sometimes it is necessary to get within a few feet of the structure.  The biggest mistake that most anglers make is not fishing close enough to structure.

Water temperatures

Water temperatures play an important role in Striper trolling.  If the water is too warm (70 degree surface temperature or warmer), one will most likely find Stripers roaming in deeper water compared to shallow water.  If the water is too cold (52 degree surface temperature or colder), the Stripers will start to become lethargic and make the trolling bite difficult.  This is when a lot of anglers stop trolling and switch to either bait fishing or throwing lures that can be worked slower.  The optimal water temperatures for Striper trolling are when the surface temperatures are between 55 and 65 degrees.