Podcasts & off-road misadventures from the Pacific Northwest β€” successes and blunders

The Road Hunter Podcast

🎣 Striper Bass & Outdoor Adventures with George the Pocono Outdoors Guy | The Road Hunter Podcast

3 min read Brad McKinney
The Road Hunter Podcast

🎣 Striper Bass & Outdoor Adventures with George the Pocono Outdoors Guy | The Road Hunter Podcast

0:00 0:30:58

Join Brad on this episode of The Road Hunter Podcast as he sits down with George, the legendary Pocono Outdoors Guy! 🌲 We dive into the world of Striper Bass fishing, share epic outdoor adventures, and swap stories that every angler and adventurer will love. Whether you’re into fishing tips, outdoor exploration, or just great conversation, this episode is packed with excitement and insight.

Angler casting into a calm coastal bay at sunset for striper bass
Striper bass at last light.

Related: chasing river bass on the Willamette.

πŸ‘‰ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more outdoor podcasts and adventures! TheRoadHunterPodcast #StriperBass #FishingPodcast #PoconoOutdoorsGuy #OutdoorAdventures #BassFishing #StripedBass #FishingLife #OutdoorsLife #HuntingAndFishing

Finding a Thermocline Without a Dedicated Thermometer

George’s best tip for striper fishing translates directly to Oregon kokanee: striper hold just above the thermocline, and you can find that layer two ways without buying gear: drop a downrigger weight to a depth and pull it back up fast to feel the temperature drop, or crank up your sonar’s gain until you see a distinct separation line on the screen. Either method beats guessing your trolling depth.

The Fish-Finder Rig for Bank Fishing Without a Boat

George’s go-to for bank-bound striper is a fish-finder rig: an egg sinker on a slider so the bait can move freely once a fish picks it up, paired with chunked bait or chicken liver on a big hook. It’s nearly identical to a Carolina rig used for trout in Oregon ponds. The lesson: techniques cross state lines and species lines more than most anglers think.

Never Trust Your Buddy on Camera

George’s funniest blunder: filming a fishing show segment, setting the hook hard on what he thought was a fish, and discovering his buddy had snagged a branch as a prank. The lesson holds up anywhere: we call a snagged log a “stick fish” around here, same idea, same embarrassment.

  • Find the thermocline by feel (downrigger temperature drop) or by sonar gain, then troll just above it
  • A fish-finder rig works for striper, catfish, and trout alike: the technique isn’t species-specific
  • Hire a guide once in a while: one tip from someone who fishes a spot daily can outweigh a season of guessing

FAQ: Finding Fish at Depth

How do I find the thermocline without special equipment?

Lower a downrigger weight to a test depth and retrieve it quickly: a sudden temperature drop on the weight marks the thermocline. Alternatively, increase your fish finder’s sensitivity until a distinct horizontal line appears on the display.

What’s a fish-finder rig and when should I use it?

It’s a sliding egg sinker rig that lets a fish pick up bait and move without immediately feeling resistance from the weight. It works well for bottom fishing from the bank for species ranging from striper to catfish to trout.

Thanks for listening, and don’t be too proud to ask another angler what’s working for them, that’s how George and Brad both walked away from this one with new tricks to try.

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