What are the best kind of anchors to use? I have one danforth right now and am going to pick up another one but was wondering what kind works the best before I get another.
sundance 1900
If you have no budget you can probably make due with what you have assuming you have rod holders. If not then you will want to buy some driftmaster holders. I bought most of mine for $5 each at the midlands striper club yard sale, but I got lucky there. Your bass gear will do the job as long as you have 12# or better line and the drags function properly and smooth. 20 gallon livewell with aerator will be fine, just keep plenty of ice to keep the water temp cool.
My first striper boat when I moved here was a free galaxy admiral named shakey (RIP). I used a cooler with a keep alive in it for a bait tank (passed it on to murraymaker when I bought a SBT II). I wedged my rods in between seats and in cub holders until I bought some rod holders. I bought a $50 MK powerdrive 55# trolling motor. I had no access to trough bolt it so I just screwed it to the deck and crossed my fingers. I caught fish and have been upgrading since.
When you have money to upgrade the first thing you should buy is the I-Pilot, or at the very least a used autopilot.
Here is some good beginner info from the Midlands Striper Club
http://www.midlandsstriperclub.org/Tips.html
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Thanks for all of the help. I have a few rods that will hold around 125 yards of 15 pound that I’m planning to use. Those tips are very helpful. The boat has some rod holders but I’m planning on buying a few more.
sundance 1900
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffquote:
Originally posted by Murrymakerquote:
Originally posted by Upstate PirateNumber two after rod and reels, IMO, an Ipilot or Auto pilot trolling motor… Preferably the Ipilot that will hold you in one spot. Believe me, that will be my next purchase.
An ipilot would be my FIRST purchase. I am sure u already have do able rods since u have a boat. And for the next 3months you can catch fish without a depth finder. I tried this last year to see if I could do it just using what we know about summertime habit. I used my cell phone with the navionics app just to get on top of a hump.
The ipiolt is THE one piece of equipment that I could not do with out
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
SAY WHAT??? LOL
I pilot is nice, but are you saying you would rather have the capabilty to hover effortlessly over a particular spot, not knowing the exact depth or whether or not there are fish there, than have to drop an anchor to hold you on a spot you are marking fish?
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I think Murraymaker understands what I’m trying to say… For the warmer months when the fish are deeper, yes a good Depth finder is awesome, but for the majority of the year pulling boards and freelining I don’t stare at a fish finder. Trust me, it
quote:
Originally posted by Upstate Piratequote:
Originally posted by striperskiffquote:
Originally posted by Murrymakerquote:
Originally posted by Upstate PirateNumber two after rod and reels, IMO, an Ipilot or Auto pilot trolling motor… Preferably the Ipilot that will hold you in one spot. Believe me, that will be my next purchase.
An ipilot would be my FIRST purchase. I am sure u already have do able rods since u have a boat. And for the next 3months you can catch fish without a depth finder. I tried this last year to see if I could do it just using what we know about summertime habit. I used my cell phone with the navionics app just to get on top of a hump.
The ipiolt is THE one piece of equipment that I could not do with out
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
SAY WHAT??? LOL
I pilot is nice, but are you saying you would rather have the capabilty to hover effortlessly over a particular spot, not knowing the exact depth or whether or not there are fish there, than have to drop an anchor to hold you on a spot you are marking fish?
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I think Murraymaker understands what I’m trying to say… For the warmer month
first thing you may want join a striper club or go to a few meetings they will cover a lots and most will answer any question almost! the 6500 will be a good reel mounted on a medium-heavy rod take a look at the uglystick for around $20.00 as for the line i would not go under 17 lb. test 20 will be good the 10 or 12 will get you more bites but lose the big ones, just think about that 30 pounder that broke off at the boat. the live wells on the boat with lake water will work great in the winter months, about this time of the year when the temp. is up you will have all to die quick. a bait tank with some type of oxygen bubbles or spray will be a must
I don’t have an Ipilot or Auto pilot so it’s not an enjoyable fishing trip to say the least. I’d like to get the auto pilot for the boat i have now and upgrade to the Ipilot when I get me another boat. I’m just getting stared myself but one thing I found out about striper fishing, you’re going to spend some money! 
But it is like a drug, it is very addicting. Much better than golf.
Lots of good advice on this thread very good and cheapest advice was to join the MSC good people great striper knowledge it won’t cost you much while you can learn plenty about the sport
TOM GITTO
Team Shad Up and Fish member
20ft Sea Hunt cc Red T Top
Thanks for all of the help! I will look into midlands striper club for sure. I have one more question. My friends grandpa, who I will probably be fishing with the most, has a lake house a little above buffalo creek in prosperity and we will probably be staying there some the night before were going to fish. Would it be better for us to drive the boat to the dam and back or trailer to the dam and back? From what I’ve figured up it will be about the same amount of time either way, I was just wondering if anyone has any input on this.
sundance 1900
Old Indian proverb … Boat on trailer won’t catch fish … Okay, maybe not legit proverb, but you get the point … Maximize your time on the water rather than towing your boat around from ramp to ramp … There’s lots of water to fish and scout around while your going from the dock to where you want to start fishing
Thanks for the reply. I would much rather ride on the boat for 30 minutes than the truck anyway!
sundance 1900
Let the weather make that decision for you. Some days it may be best to trailer while if weather permits take a nice boat ride. There is no way I riding to the d@m with a stiff eastern OR western breeze. Just keep that in mind when making plans.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Tow vehecils get much better mileage than boats! And as MM says watch the east and west winds on that long ride.
How much experience do you have on the “big water” of lake Murray? It can get very rough with some big swells. Be sure and keep a close watch on the wind and weather. I wouldn’t want to be travelling that far in an even larger boat. If it gets really rough it will be a long, slow and wet ride from the dam probably atleast to Billy Dreher, before you get to slightly calmer water. If it were me fishing with you, I’d much prefer trailering to the lower end of the lake.
I will definately watch the weather before I ride all the way down there. I have a little experience on the big water of lake murray. I was in an 18 foot bass boat last year when it got very rough and had to take it slow and have also had to come back across it in my 14 ft skiff. I don’t. Plan on making the long trip down in any stiff winds. I will trailer it in the case of wind
sundance 1900
The big water can indeed be very tricky in 20-30 mph winds. A few years ago, I sometimes foolheartedly negotiated those conditions in a 15 foot Hightide. I’m so thankful for my 22-3 CC that I now have. My friends and family ask, “he went fishing during a lake wind advisory?” My response is that I took it under advisement and went anyway:smiley:
Seriously, we all need to be aware of the conditions, the limitations of our vessels, and our own boating skills. Stats show that most boating tragedies occur on bright and calm days. Like driving a car, you can never lose focus. Be careful now matter the conditions.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
If your place is around Buffalo Creek Your best bet would be to get bait at George’s shop it is on the right if you are headed to your place at buffalo. You could then put in and head up the lake. But don’t overlook the fish in your own backyard. Even in the summer when it gets hot there are fish to be had just through the gap in the deep channels. So dont go all the way to the dam if you dont have to, if you already have the bait you can travel 5 miles or so from Buffalo and be in some good areas to start looking for fish on your depth finder. Good Luck
Key West 1720 Sportsman
FISH: An animal that grows the fastest between the time it’s caught and the time you tell your friends about it!
The place is actually a little above buffalo and we turn at the hardware store in prosperity to get there instead of going on down to George’s. Is there anywhere on the water that sells bait? What about big mans? The house is rather close to there.
sundance 1900
George sells bait at Billy Dreher in the morning. He usually puts his boat in at the ramp where the store is. His number is 1-803-873-3258. If you call him the afternoon before he can usually let you know if he will have bait and what time he will be there.
Key West 1720 Sportsman
FISH: An animal that grows the fastest between the time it’s caught and the time you tell your friends about it!
Thanks! I will definitely call him if we’re going to make the ride down! What would be a good place to get bait if we trailer the boat?
sundance 1900