Trolling with lead-core line requires a high-capacity reel, because the diameter of the lead-core line is significantly greater than that of regular braided or mono line and takes up more space on the reel spool. Baitcast or trolling reels are standard for using lead-core line. The characteristics of trolling lead core are similar to other trolling tactics. Because of the weight of the line, the line angle will be greater than regular line, so less line distance will be required to reach the target depth.

Another great tactic for deep-water trolling is to use downriggers to troll baits at specific depths. Downriggers use a heavy weighted ball attached to the end of a cable that hangs off the transom of the boat while trolling. A clip attached just above the ball holds the fishing line at the desired depth. Once the downrigger is set, the lure end of the fishing line trolls behind and down wake of the boat. Resistance to the line caused by a fish striking the bait releases the line from the downrigger and the fish is played directly to the rod and reel.

Common baits that are trolled on downriggers or lead-core line include large wobbling crankbaits, such as Bombers, Redfins and Ciscoe Kids or large bucktail jigs in 1 1/2- to 2-ounce weights and dressed with 6- to 8-inch soft-plastic trailers.

Ideal locations to find deep Jordan stripers include the mouths of Beaver and Little Beaver creeks, and the section of Parkers Creek below Hwy. 64, as well as the big pool area between them. A good access point to reach these areas is the ramp at Farrington Point. Farrington Point is located near the intersection of U.S. 64 and SR 1008 (Farrington Road); travel north on SR 1008 for five miles. The access area will be on the left.

LAKE NORMAN
The other popular summertime choice for July Carolina striper fishing is Lake Norman, located near Charlotte. When fishing Lake Norman, pro angler Mike Lundy heads up the lake to the headwaters around the I-40 bridge between Lookout Shoals dam and the Highway 70 bridge. In this location, cooler water released from Lookout Shoals Reservoir provides ample dissolved oxygen for summertime striper fishing. Lundy’s preferred tactic for this area is free-lining live bait. Lundy’s choices of baits are large gizzard shad or blueback herring, which he collects from nearby Lake Hickory or in Lookout Shoals Lake.

An important tip when using live bait is to match the size of the hook with the bait you are using. Lundy typically targets large fish and will use a big hook with the largest bait he can acquire. Anglers who are interested in catching numbers of fish would do well to use smaller baits with smaller hooks.

The key to fishing the headwaters of Lake Norman is to fish when water is running through the Lookout Shoals dam.

"You’re wasting your time if no water is running," Lundy said. "While there is no schedule for water released from Lookout Shoals dam, Duke Power, the owner of the hydroelectric facility, typically runs water every morning around 8 o’clock. If it’s really hot in the afternoon, they usually run power then also," the veteran related.