[Andy L]

Well, I can tell you how we catch wipers (we call them hybrids) here. I assume they are not that much different there.....

This time of the year, Feb and March, seem to be the best times for big ones around here. You can find them suspended over creek channels. Usually they are easier located if you look at a map and find where a channel swings into the bank. It will make it easier for you to keep your bearings and to catch them. Also, if you can find one of these channel swings close to pea gravel, (pocket, cove or bank), its even better. As the water warms a bit, they will move into that pea gravel to attempt to spawn, even though they cant, the bugs still there.

Ive done really well this time of year with suspending jerkbaits, (Luckycraft Pointers, Smithwick Rouges), and small crankbaits that dive 8-12ft (Fat Free Shad, Norman Deep Little N). All baits in shad color, grey or grey and black or white. Just have to figger out the mood of the fish. Some days they want to be aggressive and others, you have to fish it slow, pausing the bait to trigger a bite. One thing about hybrids though, once you catch one, it seems to light em all up for a period of time. I have a little place described above that I fish in the early spring here. Last year we were down there and found the fish on a graph. I worked for a couple of hours trying to get them to bite. Finally caught one and it was Katie Bar the Door for the next hour or so. We caught 40+, just like that.

A little later in the spring, they will move into those pea gravel flats to attempt to spawn. They generally are a bit harder to catch then. They wont stay there long though.

Then, follow that same creek channel out to the first big flat point or hump or other structure that allows them to suspend over deep water and quickly get to shallow water to chase shad and other bait. They will stay there most of the summer. Action will be either unbelievably good or very slow. Just depends on their feeding times and when they herd baitfish onto the point or hump to feed. Same baits as listed above work well.

My favorite time to catch them is in the fall. October to November. You can follow the creek channels, watching with binoculars the flats that come up off the channel. You will have no trouble seeing the explosions from a distance with binocs. When you see them surfacing, get there ASAP, but dont run into them fast, they will spook. Topwater baits such as Pop Rs, Zara Spooks and Redfins work great. I also like to have a Rogue tied on. Sometimes after they quit surfacing and biting the topwater, you can pick up another one or two with the jerkbait. Also, if you can see them on the graph when you are searching for surfacing fish, you can catch them with live shiners, shad or spoons.

They will surface in April some too, but not nearly as well as in the fall, in my experience. Never hurts to have a topwater tied on, just in case, anytime the water temp is above 55 degrees. You never know.

I havent fished for the spring or summer fish with live bait, but I assume it can be done. A graph is a big help if you really want to catch these fish, but not a must. Just may be harder to find them and the structure they should be on. Like I said, watch for the drops where shallow flats meet deep creek or river channels. These may be points, humps or just big flats (old fields before flooding).

Good luck, hope this helps some.

Andy