Diaper stripers

[Mrs.Finsallaround]

Sorry , everyone .... I should have been more clear -

A Smolt/stream Trout-sized Steelhead is a sub-16 inch fish in my book , diaper Stripes are sub-16 inch , as well . For me , Half-pounders start @ 16 inches and run to 24 inches . Schoolie Stripes are 18-inches to 5 Lbs. . Hope this clears up my position .

D.~

I agree with these definitions...

As a "striper snob", I'm looking for 3lbs+, and use Size 1/0 - 3/0 hooks. I'll be damned if those little "diapers" bite those huge things anyway!

I definitely don't "target" them, per se, but "hooking" them is an occupational hazard, unfortunately.

And, I don't think ANYONE should be "targeting" them with smaller rods, no matter what species they are (stripes or steelies) Let them grow up, for cryin' out loud!

[Tony Buzolich]

What got me thinking about this came about last year when I took Sturmer White out and he was telling me about how much fun he and several of his friends were having in the delta using their 6 weights. When we were fishing upriver this spring he brought along his favorite 6 weight and let me cast it. Believe me, it was a rocket of a rod. I'm sure this "light" rod would be more fun on smaller fish whatever they may be but at the same time could handle something more sizeable.

I like using larger rods and flies for the chance of hooking and fighting a larger fish and getting it in as quickly as possible. But, when you know that an area is full of smaller fish it's more appropriate to use a smaller rod and enjoy the experience. After all, isn't that what fly fishing as a sport is all about? Using a light limber rod to catch and play fish? If it was simply a matter of catching fish to eat it wouldn't be called a sport.
TONY

[Mike R]

I'm with you Tony. If you're gonna get some smaller fish, why not use a lighter rod? Put the wood to 'em and have fun. You can always bring a heavier rod, too.

I've seen too many people to count take longer to land a fish on an 8wt than others could with a 5wt only because they didn't know how to fight fish.

Mike

[Jgoding]

I don't see any reason to specifically target juvenile fish like that. I think what Charlie is saying is seeing charter/guide boats reporting 60 fish days but most of the fish (90%) were 16" or smaller.

Also, I like fishing for the challenge. When it's easy it's not as fun. I don't see the point of catching a bunch of dinks for the sake of catching fish. They don't handle as well as legal fish and their mouths get torn up pretty easy.

[WinterrunRon]

Totally agree with JG above. Besides, I only ever target small stripers when there's good odds of him being eaten before I get 'em to the boat by what I'm really after!

In all seriousness, I don't target little fish of any species becasue... well, they're juvenile fish.

And I can't agree with the "they won't eat it anyway" argument. That's not my experience. My experience (stripers and salmon smolts mainly) is they will attack things they can't even fit in their mouths to swallow and are longer than their body. I use bigger hooks to minimize the odds of hooking them, but you can feel them hit mulitple times on the retrieve.

And I have a different definition of a diaper striper. There are dinks or shakers (undersized stripers sub-legal in size) and then there are diaper stripers, fish say 6"-10" that hit your 4"-8" fly!

Usually, I find these fish to be in large schools (thousands, now probably hundereds), all of similar size. If I catch one, I move one. They don't travel by themselves and I don't ever remember catching a large fish when these are around (needs are too different).

[Scott V]

I think what is being said is that going to the delta or any other water with a 4 - 6 weight looking for stripers is not a good idea. What are you going to do when a 5 pound or even bigger striper comes along and hits your fly. Now you have to fight a fish on a rod that is not meant for it. Will the fish live from that fight, I do not know and nor does anyone else, but why put the option out there that it might not survive a longer fight. Going to the delta with small fish equipment is the issue I believe. Fly size has nothing to do with it also, big and small fish eat both big and small flies, but going out and using a trout rod is I believe what Charlie is refering to.

If I am wrong, oh well, but that is what I am reading.

[Dabalone]

Stripers, bass, trout, steelhead all come in small to large sizes from the same water, so leave the light gear home no matter where you are fishing because you just might hook a big un? I think too much gets read into these things, if you are concerned about hurting dinks use barbless hooks and fish on. Of the countless juvenile stripers I have caught in the Delta thru the years a tiny fraction were of questionable health upon release. Using barbless is best assurance of least damage if the thought really bothers you.

[Darian]

I thought this lecturing stuff was exclusive to the Steelhead Forum. How many ways and times can the same thing be said and people be skewered for their unintentional statements Frankly, it's getting tiresome....

[lee s.]

Thank you Darian.

[Dabalone]

I thought this lecturing stuff was exclusive to the Steelhead Forum. How many ways and times can the same thing be said and people be skewered for their unintentional statements Frankly, it's getting tiresome....

Gotta disagree, I see people weighing in with their thoughts on a subject, no repetitiveness just different people expressing their views some agree with each other some don't, no big deal. And where is the skewering?