I plan on trying my hand at getting my own bait(shad or herring) when I’m on vacation. I appreciate any tips or suggestions on what to look for.
When I lived in Fla., I used to net finger mullet all the time. So I can throw a cast net. I just need to get out in the yard & practice. It’s only been about 15 yrs. 
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
I’ve never tried it this time of year, but since the bait isn’t real deep, I would think you should be able to draw them in with a light at night.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
If you want threadfins you will be fine. If you want anything other than That your prob gonna be disappointed. Not trying to discourage you but it’s not easy.
95% of the bait people are marking right now is not catchable or usable really.
Mesh size on you net plays a big role right now. 3/8" for herring 5/8" for shad. 1/2" is a no no. You will wind up with a net that looks like a Christmas tree decorated with gilled threadfins. Also I wouldn’t throw a net that’s smaller than 8’. I like a 10’ this time of year.
Shad are in 5-10’ of water right now. I caught some last week and the target depth seemed like 8’ on murray. In the ditches. Herring can be caught in the daylight with some luck but it won’t happen if you don’t know what to look for and to be honest it really can’t be explained.
There is a reason the bait guys don’t catch herring on murray this time of year. It’s tough. You can check Colby’s light on his dock at night for herring though Rick will show you were it’s at I am sure. (Edit* colby said their light hasn’t been working in awhile so that option isn’t there)
I would have a back up plan. Bring a way to transport bait if your leaving your boat in the water. If you need a small transport tank I have one you can borrow. Kevin’s baitshop isn’t far away from you and George’s is even close but if his red light isn’t on he doesnt have bait.
Like I said I am not trying to discourage you but again it ain’t easy.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
There is a butt load of 4-5" gizzards in the backs of the creeks that have some stain to hem. This is on wateree, but I would think the upper end of Murray would be similar.
Wateree is no where near the same as Murray when it comes to gizzards. Wateree is a way better fishery for gizzards than Murray and you can reliably catch them there. You have to work a lot harder on Murray to get the same production and even then you may not get much.
There is a butt load of 4-5" gizzards in the backs of the creeks that have some stain to hem. This is on wateree, but I would think the upper end of Murray would be similar.
Well, I guess I’ll more than likely be buying bait. I might still bring my net just for chits & giggles. It’s only a 6’ with 3/8" mesh. I have a 54 qt. cooler made into a bait tank that I could probably use to transport bait. Thanks.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
i can lend you a battery and an aerator if you need them.
Rick K
Tidewater 2200 Carolina Bay Boat
Yamaha 250 4 Stroke
Thanks Rick, but my cooler is set up with a pump, filter & 12v bubbler. I can plug it in to my acc. socket in my truck.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
The water is down so much on Murray that I can’t get to the places I normally look for Gizzard shad … threads and golden shiners are all I could get last weekend on Murray… Wateree is much easier place to catch Gizzards…
Team Shad Up & Fish
If you’ve had fun catching fish on the transom bait, you are welcome…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
Where is the best place to buy gizzards in the coming months and generally what’s the cost?
…
Mike Martinez
2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
quote:
Originally posted by FLORIDA_BOY2Where is the best place to buy gizzards in the coming months and generally what’s the cost?
…
Mike Martinez2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
If he doesn’t have them already, Ned will have them at Better Bait. Usually about the same price as herring. Check with them.
-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 Bowhunterquote:
Originally posted by FLORIDA_BOY2Where is the best place to buy gizzards in the coming months and generally what’s the cost?
…
Mike Martinez2016 Sea Hunt 25 Gamefish twin Yamaha 150’s
If he doesn’t have them already, Ned will have them at Better Bait. Usually about the same price as herring. Check with them.
-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
We have went twice for them. This year’s batch on wateree is tiny so far. Plan is to go again within the week. Hoping the cooler nights group them up and brings the bigger ones together. They are really too small to sell to be honest. Not only are they too small they just aren’t grouped up like they need to be to catch to sale.
You can beat out 10-15dz (prob lose a net while doing so), but it’s just not worth going unless you can get 80-200dz in a couple hrs. Ideally you want to get 20dz+ per throw to make it worth going.
Just be aware you may or may not see the price of gizzards become more like the rest of the bait shops in the state this year. What some people don’t realize is lake murray has the cheapest bait in AL
Why would you raise the price of gizzards? It’s not like you have any time in raising the fish to usuable size. If you heading to wateree which it sounds like you are, they are very plentiful- up to dollar bill size, anything bigger is a grind and I can see charging more. I I went to McCormick this spring and they were charging $10 a doz and and I questioned why and flat out the lady said because they can! Luckily I had a tank full of ocean herring or I would have been at there “we can charge whatever we want”.
Are you the big 22-24ft skiff that puts in at June crk landing?
quote:
Originally posted by bioguyWhy would you raise the price of gizzards? It’s not like you have any time in raising the fish to usuable size. If you heading to wateree which it sounds like you are, they are very plentiful- up to dollar bill size, anything bigger is a grind and I can see charging more. I I went to McCormick this spring and they were charging $10 a doz and and I questioned why and flat out the lady said because they can! Luckily I had a tank full of ocean herring or I would have been at there “we can charge whatever we want”.
Are you the big 22-24ft skiff that puts in at June crk landing?
Have never used June crk ramp. We generally charge 6$ a dz. That was a fair price when they were easy but we have still been selling for $6 a dozen The last 2 yrs even though they have not been easy. I am not going to argue with you because maybe you have a honey hole. But I know of four people who have been catching gizzards for 40-plus years and when they struggle to catch them something’s going on.
If you can catch 100-200dz 6" gizzards, you would be able to sell them all within 3-4 days. Might be something for you to think about.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
I think $4-$6 is a fair price. $8 a doz better be some really nice bait, and anything more they better call the fish to you. I know it’s not an easy business but sometimes the prices can get crazy.
Seems like the gizzards lately have been a little shallower than the smaller threadfins and the big cutter shad are right up in the grass lines if that helps any.
Either pay the price or catch your own!!! Bait prices in SC are actually cheap compared to other places. In TN they sell Gizzard Shad per bait. There prices are Med Gizzard Shad 6"-9" $1.89 Each, Large Gizzard Shad 9" to 12" $2.83 Each… So maybe $8.00/ Doz isn’t too bad!!
2014 Tidewater 2200 Carolina Bay
The large gizzards sell for $4.00 a piece at 2 different bait shops on Clark Hill. And I will say that palmetto angler usually has some good looking, nice and pearl. Jody also has good gizzards as well but gizzards take a lot of special care. You don’t want no brown/gold gizzards.
Carolina Skiff 218 DLV
140 Suzuki
Bob, take your cast net to Saluda River Resort and throw it off the bank up and down both canals, should get at tank full of giz in a short time! Good luck.
Never been up there. I won’t get popped for trespassing will I?
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069