Holy crap! Help me get started.

[Verdigris_Fisherman]

Alright, after 30 years of fishing farm ponds and off lake docks, I finally bought a 21 ft fishing pontoon boat to take my kids out.

One of the things I have always wanted to do is get into striper trolling on Beaver Lake, Arkansas. Have the boat - Have absolutely nothing else probably worthy of fishing for striper.

Need advice on:
Rods & reels
bait vs lures
Rigging advice
trolling methods
Any hot spots for Beaver lake

Absolutely clueless on getting started so don't assume anything here. I am used to fishing panfish and some small and largemouth bass so striper is a totally new thing for me.

Looking forwared to advice from the forum here.
Thanks,

[Wildman]

Get a good sonar. You have to find the schools of shad to find the stripers. Look for bait clouds, then hooks above or below.

Get rod holders. The heavier the better.

We fish big tackle. Penn 310-320’s with 30 lb test line. Ugly stick rods for heavy terminal tackle are the guide choice, although I find them a little soft. Soft rods give you more time to get to them and set the hook. Get reels with GOOD drag. Set for 2/3rds of line test weight. Hook-Line and Sinker can usually get brooder minnows when in season.

Hiway 12 Bridge is a good place to start. Sonar the islands or the creek openings up stream. It’s a little late to hit twin-rivers, but anywhere from marker 12 to horseshoe bend may hold fish this time of year.

Good-luck.

JJH