CJ Striker whiskers?

[Duckbutter]

I know I'm new to the Idaho forum on this site, but that's because I haven't fished The gem state in years. About to change that....

This year my family and I are heading to a family reunion north of Boise, and my wife is flying our kids from Colorado to Boise, but I get to drive the gear. The good news, I'm going to have some free time to see a former roomate that is stationed in Mountain Home, and I'm hoping to chase some whiskers and possibly camp at Striker. Never been there, but I'm not a newb to catfishing. Anybody have any general tips for the lake? Is it possible to camp on the shore (if whether allows without a tent) in areas with possible good fishing?
Any advice would be appreciated

Thanks,
Kevin
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[crappyslayer]

Plenty of good camping spots at strike. I have never targeted cats there, but they are in the entire snake system.
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[daniel_30]

Plenty cats down the river. As far as camping anywhere you want along reservoir.....probably not good without tent.. too much mosquitoes
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[idahoron]

In my opinion I would go down river of Swan Falls. Strike has cats but not an abundance of them. I go catfishing every chance I get. I have learned my lesson I don't stop above strike dam I go farther down river. Ron
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[fish-o-holic]

I have not caught a cat there all year. skeeters are bad and you might want to find a place to do a campfire and do an all nighter. The campfire just might keep the skeeters away. Good luck.
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[Duckbutter]

Thanks for the info gents, I really appreciate it.

[quote idahoron]In my opinion I would go down river of Swan Falls. Strike has cats but not an abundance of them. I go catfishing every chance I get. I have learned my lesson I don't stop above strike dam I go farther down river. Ron[/quote]

If I decide to fish below Swan Falls, is access good, and would it be possible for me to camp out on or near the shore. My brother lives in Meridian, so it wouldn't be a bad call for me to fish all night, or pack it up and hit my bro's. Also, can any fresh cut bait work? The rules I read were vague, and I don't want to use anything illegal. I prefer fresh cutbait, preferably caught at the water I'm fishing fresh but I wouldn't know what I would be up against there.

Thanks again for the info!
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[Koke-Fiend]

[quote Duckbutter]Thanks for the info gents, I really appreciate it.

[quote idahoron]In my opinion I would go down river of Swan Falls. Strike has cats but not an abundance of them. I go catfishing every chance I get. I have learned my lesson I don't stop above strike dam I go farther down river. Ron[/quote]

If I decide to fish below Swan Falls, is access good, and would it be possible for me to camp out on or near the shore. My brother lives in Meridian, so it wouldn't be a bad call for me to fish all night, or pack it up and hit my bro's. Also, can any fresh cut bait work? The rules I read were vague, and I don't want to use anything illegal. I prefer fresh cutbait, preferably caught at the water I'm fishing fresh but I wouldn't know what I would be up against there.

Thanks again for the info![/quote]

Idahoron is the expert here, I have caught all my big cat's at the lower end of Brownlee. I get quite a few each year 10# plus while Bass fishing.
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[idahoron]

[quote Duckbutter]Thanks for the info gents, I really appreciate it.

[quote idahoron]In my opinion I would go down river of Swan Falls. Strike has cats but not an abundance of them. I go catfishing every chance I get. I have learned my lesson I don't stop above strike dam I go farther down river. Ron[/quote]

If I decide to fish below Swan Falls, is access good, and would it be possible for me to camp out on or near the shore. My brother lives in Meridian, so it wouldn't be a bad call for me to fish all night, or pack it up and hit my bro's. Also, can any fresh cut bait work? The rules I read were vague, and I don't want to use anything illegal. I prefer fresh cutbait, preferably caught at the water I'm fishing fresh but I wouldn't know what I would be up against there.

Thanks again for the info![/quote]

You can not use protected species like sturgeon. You can use game fish but you have to follow the rules. Like you have to obey the rules for limit and size if that apply's. You can keep a bass for bait but only if it is long enough. You can keep trout for bait but only if you do not go over the limit. The best way would be to use a carp or sucker for bait. That way your covered.
There are plenty of camping areas below swan falls. Check it out on google earth. Ron
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[idahoron]

[quote Koke-Fiend][quote Duckbutter]Thanks for the info gents, I really appreciate it.

[quote idahoron]In my opinion I would go down river of Swan Falls. Strike has cats but not an abundance of them. I go catfishing every chance I get. I have learned my lesson I don't stop above strike dam I go farther down river. Ron[/quote]

If I decide to fish below Swan Falls, is access good, and would it be possible for me to camp out on or near the shore. My brother lives in Meridian, so it wouldn't be a bad call for me to fish all night, or pack it up and hit my bro's. Also, can any fresh cut bait work? The rules I read were vague, and I don't want to use anything illegal. I prefer fresh cutbait, preferably caught at the water I'm fishing fresh but I wouldn't know what I would be up against there.

Thanks again for the info![/quote]

Idahoron is the expert here, I have caught all my big cat's at the lower end of Brownlee. I get quite a few each year 10# plus while Bass fishing.[/quote]

I don't think I deserve the title of expert. I do get lucky from time to time. Ron
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[Nick1983]

There's a ton of access around Swan Falls for camping- I've always used fresh cut bait as well- trout, sucker, and bluegill all seem to do the trick. Stinkbait and worms work well too.

Swan Falls has some really nice cats, but they also have a lot of the 3 ft sturgeon (and some absolute giants) that love to slurp up your cut bait- you won't get in trouble for catching one, but make sure you don't take it out of the water.

If you target them specifically, you have to use a barbless hook, with a sliding weight device on your main line with the weight tied from the slider using 10lb less than your main line.

If you're going on the weekend- it gets pretty crowded down there, so you may have to head out early in the day if you're looking to camp overnight and get a decent spot. Oh, and fish below the dam. Above is bass/carp central, I've not caught a cat above the dam. Since it sounds like you know what you're doing, just know that wherever there's a seam in the river there, there'll be a cat waiting for a meal.

And despite what he says, yes, Ron is the expert here.
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[Koke-Fiend]

"I don't think I deserve the title of expert. I do get lucky from time to time. Ron"

Oh I beg to differ, If I need advice on Cat fishing or the Snake I'm counting on your advice. And you will be my first stop.
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[Duckbutter]

Gentlemen, thanks for all the information. My plan is now to leave work (Grand Junction) as fast as possible on the 18th , fly fish Daniels in the morning on the 19th, head west and camp/fish at swan falls evening of the 19th to about 10:00am on the 20th. Pic up the family from the Boise airport around noon, maybe fish around the cabin we'll be staying in on the middle Payette in the evening on the 20th. We don't have access to a boat, but we'll take the kiddo's to Cascade (southwest shore) and/or Horsethief for some shore fishing on the 21st. I hope to get as much in as possible. I really appreciate all the information, and if anybody wants to do some midweek whisker fishing, anybody is welcome to join me below Swan Falls- just look for a civic with Colorado plates.
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[idahoron]

I wish I could. Ron
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