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Wiper Fishing Information

Wiper Fishing Information

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Wipers are a cross between the powerful striped bass, or striper, and the aggressive white bass. Bred in captivity and released into lakes and reservoirs throughout the United States, wipers are used extensively to help control large bait fish populations. Wipers have become a popular sporting game fish with many anglers due to the fierce fight they exhibit when hooked. Fishing for wipers involves much of the same equipment associated with striper or largemouth bass fishing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:
  • Medium heavy to heavy rod with matched reel
  • 12-pound test or heavier fishing line
  • Minnow or lures that imitate minnows and other small bait fish
Step 1
Set up your fishing tackle to take advantage of the wiper's feeding habits. Wipers are noted for prowling beneath schools of bait fish and then ambushing them in much the same manner as white bass. The wiper will often drive minnows and other small fish to the surface and then strike.
Step 2
Attract wipers with lures that are designed to imitate minnows and other small fish. Shallow crank baits, metal spoons, soft plastics such as shad and in line spinners are all effective lures for attracting wipers. Fish these baits in and around areas of bait activity. Also allow these baits to sink lower into the water below the excited bait to attract wipers prowling below the activity.
Step 3
Rig live bait such as shiners, small blue gill and minnows with a circle octopus hook. Inserting the hook through the top of the back just in front of the dorsal fin will allow the bait to swim freely in a downward direction. Work the live bait in, around and under feeding activity taking place near the surface. This can also be an effective method for fishing wipers holding in deeper waters.
Step 4
Target wipers during the early morning dawn and late evening dusk hours. These are the times when wipers will typically move from deeper waters into the shallows to feed on schooling minnows, small bream, blue gill and other fish.
Step 5
Locate possible wiper feeding activity by looking for birds, such as gulls, that hover over areas in the water indicating bait fish are being pushed to the surface. You should also watch for ripples and top water disturbances that indicate excited minnows and other fish.

Article Written By Keith Dooley

Keith Dooley has a degree in outdoor education and sports management. He has worked as an assistant athletic director, head coach and assistant coach in various sports including football, softball and golf. Dooley has worked for various websites in the past, contributing instructional articles on a wide variety of topics.

Write for Trails.com

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