Land of the giants

Saltwater Striper Fishing
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Well not really but it sure felt like it at times. Woke up at 4am to pick Seth and Jason up by 5 and head upstate to Hartwell. Scoured over a map for a week and called a few people for reports. Had 2 plans: behind Clempson or down around portmans, with a boat show up on Keowee and the spring game going on we decided to stay down lake.

I must say I am jealous of the bait shop they have up there. I am very thankful for David and Richard but being able to drive INTO a bait shop and point and choose your baits was awesome. Prices were very reasonable and they were super nice. We fished herring, gizzards, and trout.

We had lines in about 830 and by 915 we had our first fish on. Very healthy 15# fish that took a 12"+ trout. Top water explosion twice, missed it the first time but quickly came back and didn’t miss this time. That was the big fish for the day.

Caught numerous amounts of fish, easily 30+. 7 were double digit fish. Including the 15#, a 14#, and the rest were between 10-11#. 90% of the rest of the fish were 8-9#. Had 3 hybrids which was nice to cross that one off the list. Had 2 doubles. The pic of us holding 2 fish is to show how large these fish are. The smallest is 22". Jason and Seth both upped there personal bests with the 15&14.

Here are some pix of the trip. We def enjoyed ourselves and can’t wait to go back in a couple weeks. By the way the drive was not as bad as I thought it would be. 2hr 15min

[IMG]http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh52/identity3601/IMG_20130413_1153

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I didn’t get 30+ pictures texted to me
. Haha glad y’all found fish. Seth sure looks happy. Good looking fish

Wellcraft V20, 175 Yamaha
Formula 25 SC Express, Mercruiser 260

3

Good job guys…looks like a fun day out there.

4

Nicely done, guys. That makes for a really fun day.

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Congratz… Nicely done!! That’s some pretty amazing fishing considering it was your first time ever fishing Hartwell.

'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki

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Ditto! Nice catch! I’ve never fished that lake but might ride up there before the weather gets super hot so I can catch and release. Chip, I might need some advice on where to start if I decide to pull the trigger and go.

Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer

7

Good job! Next time let me know you’re coming and leave your boat at home and pick Tim up too.

I’d rather fish than eat.

A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.

In God We Trust

8

What a great time fishing up there. I had heard that there was big fish up there but was amazed of just how many. Chip did some great research to put us on some great fish our first trip up.

“Reel Obsession”
Sea Hunt BX 22 Pro
Yamaha 150 HP

9

Very nice!

Ankona Native SUV 17
Tohatsu 30

10

Glad ya’ll had a good trip Chip. I didn’t see your PM until today. Thanks for posting the pics…

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…

11

Great pictures, nice fish, fished Hartwell yesterday myself! First 3 fish by 8:00 averaged 18# all caught in less than 4’ water on boards up a creek almost in the flooded broom straw, lots of large mouth and gar came in at 9:00