Thinking about going up to Harry’s fish camp and staying for a few days. My spring break is like the 1st week of April so I wanna do a mini vacation or a staycation… I know you can stay at Harry’s for relatively cheap so it seems like aggood option. I just don’t what will ne biting. The crappie and shellcrackers right? Hopefully a good bass biye I guess too. Is catfishin a valid option then? I can catch a few bass I just don’t know about anything else. I know some of yall have stayed there so any info yall can pass along would be greatly appreciated! I know thisiisnt strictly about striper but the freshwater forum is dead.
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
In April you should be able to find cats but you may want to try Black’s instead and take your chances in the canal----- depending on how good you are at dodging the wake of tri-toons driving like Han Solo. Drift with cut bait using that “ohio rig” (carolina rig with a stout egg sinker and a small red float 6" from the hook).
Crappie should be good on the lake but I can’t advise anything regarding Harry’s, it’s been years since I put in there.
For fun, jacks on ultralight tackle can be a blast too.
Shoot me a PM if you’re going up that way, I might meet up with you and poke around. Been wanting an excuse to try drifting in the canal in my boat.
@ matt, Thanks man. I’ll let ya know. Is be bringin my sea fix with me, and possibly my 14’ Jon boat ifiIts registered and such! Also how exactly do uou target jacks/pickerel?
Anybody else got advice?
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
Don’t go on a cat fish guided trip with the people at Harry’s, they r stupid I stayed at Harry’s 2010 spring break in one of there trailers/houses and it was good but the only thing was that was bad was the kitchen sink water and shower water smelt really really bad … but over all was fine
Me and a buddy fished with trot lines down there did good 3 to 20 ft of water using herring… Filets of eel that we cought on the trot lines and small catfish filets
That time of the year is prime for catfishing.
I would try the shallow water (2’ - 7’) first thing in the morning.
Once the sun comes up and brightens up, move deeper.
If you can find a shoreline with a good “mud line” fish it! Particularly if you see wading birds feeding in the area. Tis usually a “dead” Give away.
I prefer Canal Lakes and Black’s Fish Camp over Harry’s.
Kevin Davis at Black’s is a good guy and will give you some good pointers.
(Check out their website for more informaition.
Shellcracker may also be biting at that time. (Shallow water)
I recommend contacting him for more information regarding his lodging, baits, rates, and where to fish.
He has always “done well” by me.
Just my 2 1/2 cents worth.
Blacks is on the lower end of the canal and lake moultrie. The canal is six and a half miles long going up to lake marion. You have to idle from blacks to the canal, probably 600 to 700 yards. It is smooth sailing up to where hwy 45 bridge. There is a no wake zone there for probably a 1/4 mile, and they mean no wake. Dnr is there the majority of the time docked at the canal lakes campground waiting. Then about 2 more miles to harrys.
THe need bigger signs for no wake at the bridge or teach people to read! Almost had a boat sunk at the dock at Canal Motel with all the wakes one day! The Coast Guard made a beliver out of me at the bridge at Snake creek In Ilamarada Fla. I thaught I had slowed down enough but not enough for them, Didnt get a fine but did get the first class inspection of the boat for an hour
Am familiar with all four of the Camps around the Div. Canal. All would be suitable. Harry’s at the upper end gives you close access to a lot of protected water where you could bass fish or pursue shellcrackers and bream too. Like wise Blacks at the lower end provides similar areas, but in Lake Moulrtie. The two camps around the Hwy 45 bridge, Canal Lakes and Hill’s Lndg, are about in the middle of the 7 mile canal. Note that April 12 is about full moon and likely a good Shellcracker bedding time.
Thanks for the info. Headed up next Monday! What size and model hooks do you use for catfish on that drift/Ohio rig with the sinker and cork on it? Also just a standard gold Aberdeen hook for bream, and what all do you use for crappie? Thinkin for crappie ill fish live minnows or tube baits, but I don’t know how to fish them, or really what to look for in a crappie honey hole. Docks, and brushpiles good then
Also I’m staying at Harry’s. 4 ppl for 85$ with fully furnished mobile home, cant beat it!
For Cats - 6/0 - 8/0 Circle Hooks.
Gizzard shad, threadfin shad, or sea herring will be the baits of choice.
Unless you are drifting, you don’t necessarily need to use the drift rig with the cork. A regular “fish finder” rig wtih 1 oz to 2 oz sinker, swivel, & 2’ - 3’ leader will work.
The cats are moving shallow (recent weather has slowed them down a bit). I think the week of the 1st will be “dead on”.
If you don’t have luck shallow, move out to the trees and fish the river channels. Look for “bait balls” and “fish” on your FF.
Don’t forget about the “shellcracker” with red worms for bait.
These may be bedding too.
I’ll be fishing on Santee that same week. If you have a means of posting on CF while there, let me know if you are not having any luck.
I’ll try to help you out if I can.
