Sounds like the day I and a PE teacher from my school had on July 17, 1998. At the towers no less in my little 15 foot Hightide, we had a 10, 12, 16, 20, and 26 pounder fishing 4 inch herring. Though I have gotten scattered fish like that over the past 2 decades, I will never forget that day. Memories like that are why we do what we do.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
I can’t count all the 15 plus # fish i’ve caught on an icefly over the last 40 years!
I dont and have never discounted that big fish will eat a small bait. In fact i wish everyone fished for big fish with small bait 
To this day (granted i have only been targeting striper exclusively for about 5yrs now) i have caught 1 fish over 20# on a small bait…i just have no confidence in it…
Couple of the best tx fisherman i know are the Richardson brothers. They absolutely HATE big bait. But they are consistently in the top 10 of any major tx usually. Couple fish in the teens will beat a big bait fisherman most of the time…
But rarely do they get that WOW factor at the weigh…and honestly rarely do i…
But they cashin them checks
Side note elephants dont eat peanuts 
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
USCG Licensed Captain
Sea~N~Stripes Guide Service
Hey Cory, you don’t have to go far for nice stripers. Starting in Dec. or so, you can catch some nice ones right up the road from me.
Not being a smart ass in any way here… Just curious as I am a transplant from New England where I made a living targeting stripers… What is considered a trophy fish here in SC?
To me catching any fish you target is a trophy especially if you never caught 1. Everyone on the lake will know when i catch my first 1. I just thought a 20lbr is a big solid fish. I dont what a trophy striper would be. Im interested too.
Roger that…
Back up north, a 50lb is what everyone shoots for. Kinda like a 10lb largemouth…
Blaine, it really just depends on the body of water and what you personally hold as a trophy. You hit anything over 20# in Murray you are doing it right.
A freshwater fitty is kinda like the holy grail to most sweet water guys. Kinda like those 70+ in saltwater.
If you go to say Al, AR, TN where 20s are common then the “trophy” probably moves up to high 30s-40ish… again its all really in the eye of the person holding the fish:wink:
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
USCG Licensed Captain
Sea~N~Stripes Guide Service
I look at a trophy as any striper I catch. I just enjoy getting out on the lake and fishing. Of coarse it is fun to catch “that big one”. I’m still looking for a 20 lb’er to beat the 19lb I caught a couple of years ago. My day will come.
Bob Van Gundy
803-727-4069
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerBlaine, it really just depends on the body of water and what you personally hold as a trophy. You hit anything over 20# in Murray you are doing it right.
A freshwater fitty is kinda like the holy grail to most sweet water guys. Kinda like those 70+ in saltwater.
Makes sense… I’m headed back north next week. The fall run is just starting up. We’ll be targeting the big girls on top water. Won’t lie, it’s going to be nice wearing jeans and a hoody again!
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerI dont and have never discounted that big fish will eat a small bait…
Maybe not a “BIG” fish, but my first 20 lber came on a regular herring and I owe that fish to Chip…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
I agree. It depends on the body of water and is often in the eye of the beholder. A 20 pounder on Murray would be trophy status. On the Savannah lakes and Lanier, a 30+ would be the ticket. Up north in the salt, it would take a 40+ to get a second look. Gotta fish up there sometime or at least do a winter trip to the OBX!
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
quote:
Originally posted by Fogman…Up north in the salt, it would take a 40+ to get a second look. Gotta fish up there sometime or at least do a winter trip to the OBX! …
Me too, James. On my bucket list…
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
quote:
Originally posted by Saxitalisquote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerBlaine, it really just depends on the body of water and what you personally hold as a trophy. You hit anything over 20# in Murray you are doing it right.
A freshwater fitty is kinda like the holy grail to most sweet water guys. Kinda like those 70+ in saltwater.
Makes sense… I’m headed back north next week. The fall run is just starting up. We’ll be targeting the big girls on top water. Won’t lie, it’s going to be nice wearing jeans and a hoody again!
Well, I made it back to CT for some striper fishing last weekend. It was not easy but we found what we were looking for. Young Lawson caught a fish of a lifetime. I couldn’t have been happier for him… She taped at 51.75". On a topwater no less!
Natalie also got in on the action and had some awesome topwater fish…
Congratulations! To sound like the professor on Gilligan’s Island, an exceptional specimen of morone saxatilis!
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
Nice fish. How big was the one in the second picture?
-The size of a fish is directly proportional to the time between when it’s lost and the story is told. - Me
-What’s the best eating fish, you ask? I’ve found that for a lot people, its the ones that they happen to be able to catch, clean, and cook. - My Dad (1/13/37 - 9/27/16 I love you Pops)
-Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. Anatole France (paraphrased)
-RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. I’ll never forget him. What a special friend he was.
-Team Gonna Fish
Saxitalis. You need to put shimano in you signature you rep it hard in every picture. I think i want to buy a bicycle for some reason. Lol
quote:
Originally posted by 40inchredsSaxitalis. You need to put shimano in you signature you rep it hard in every picture. I think i want to buy a bicycle for some reason. Lol
In the voice from the guy from the state farm commercial… well He kinda works for shimano…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
USCG Licensed Captain
Sea~N~Stripes Guide Service
quote:
Originally posted by Murrymakerquote:
Originally posted by 40inchredsSaxitalis. You need to put shimano in you signature you rep it hard in every picture. I think i want to buy a bicycle for some reason. Lol
In the voice from the guy from the state farm commercial… well He kinda works for shimano…
Yes, sir… I work for Shimano out of the Ladson office. Not here to shove the company down anyone’s throat, I promise. Just sharing some pics of me making a living doing what I love If some of the pics end up in a publication or two, well, then I know I’m earning my keep.
Seriously though, I’m always willing to help if anyone here has questions or issues with our products. Shoot me a PM and I’ll get you answers…
That was a beautiful fish. Congrats.