Hey all,
Since my trip to the coast for 'red’s is pretty much shot for the week, I am looking to take the kayak out for a rare shot at stripers (I have tried twice and in December both times a year apart).
At any rate, is there any place that would be doable in a kayak and where would be a good spot, if you don’t mind.
Also, is live bait working best, or cut or artificals?
Any help would be appreciated and if it is a sensitive spot and you don’t want to reveal to everyone, a ‘pm’ is more than welcome. I know of a few spots, but as mentioned above, that is winter fishing so the fish were in 20-40ft in the creeks. I don’t think that is the case yet and looking for opportunities where I won’t be run over being in a kayak!
Thank you
I haven’t had my yak in lately, so this is just speculation, but I think your best bet would be to pick up some live bait and pull a couple around on freelines while keeping a top water plug ready to go should you see some schooling. Jakes or either of the ramps on Shull Island would put you good areas to fish not far from where you put in.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Although I haven’t seen them this year yet, I was catching schooling stripers this time last year along the dam on the Irmo side. I caught them right at daylight along the rocks. There is a parking area that the dam walkers use that is straight ahead or a little to the left when you pull into the Irmo side. There is a stairway down to the water there and you can carry your 'yak down it and launch there. The schooling was from right out in front of there to over about 100 yards or so towards the Lexington side from there, but they could be anywhere. The action will be over after the sun gets up (10:00am or so). I got to see weston t (a member on here) catch his first striper from a 'yak in this exact spot last year this time.
Molon Labe!
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. Still can’t get him out of my mind. What a special friend he was.
Thank you all. From the responses, would fishing in the afternoon be futile? I have to repack my car (and kayak), so if mid day doesn’t work, I may shoot for Tuesday vice tomorrow.
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
I have seen more and got more reports of schooling in the afternoons the last 2 weeks. With most happening aroind 6pm. And lasting about an hr. All of the above mentioned spots have had really good schooling recently.
I would take Tims advice and pull ya a couple herring around looking for schools.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Sounds good, thanks Murrymaker.
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
I’m home with a stomach bug today. I was told of some stripers schooling on the Lexington side of Shull island about a week ago. There might not be too much boat traffic back there. Biggest my friends caught was a little over 8 lbs. All caught on topwater. Good luck.
I was driving across the dam this morning about 10:30. I saw schooling about 50 yds. off the rocks, not too far from the parking area on the Irmo side. I’ll be out on the rocks in the morning & see what happens.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Prob see ya out there Bob if I can get out of bed…ha
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I should be there too. Stopped on my way to work this am from about 7:45-8:15, but they never came up before I had to go.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Tim, if you get lucky and take a couple, does the boss mind your fishieness? hahaaahhaaahahahaha
2007 TRITON 225CC
“Trailer Trash”
went over the dam yesterday and there were three boats casting to that shull just outside yacht cove. I couldnt see if fish were schooling. I was distracted by sports bras and yoga pants, THANK YOU SCE&G FOR THE WALKWAY.
Spoon the fish were there thick 1.5 weeks ago but they seem to have left. This cold spell might bring them back. Might even send them all the way up.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Todd, no big deal…if that happens and anyone at work questions why I smell like fish, I just explain that I got lucky on my way to work
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Where’s those smileys when you need em! My co-workers know better! Came in before not realizingI still had fish scales dried on my face…
2007 TRITON 225CC
“Trailer Trash”
Might see y’all out there. I wouldn’t mind getting a little Fishy smelling myself.
WILDBILL
I gave Shull a try today. Had some bites and break offs as soon as I got to 50’. Unfortunately within the next 20 minutes the wind picked up and I was dealing with 2’ chop. I was alright as long as I did not have to handle a rod! I paddled back in and ate lunch and watched the weather. It calmed down after an hour or so, so I headed back out. I did get to see the schools and a good bit of topwater action. Ended up with two keepers and 7 break offs. Too tight of drag on the reels. I realized that you cannot horse these fish in like you can a redfish or sharks.
I had the water to myself for most of the day. I did get some company around 3:00, but my arms were getting pretty tired, I stuck it out until 5:00 and headed in as I still had a 2 hour drive home.
Again, thanks for all of the help and advice.
Oh, one question; I had purchased 24 herring and had them in a 5 gallon pail with an aerator, but most of them died by mid afternoon. What did I do wrong?
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
Bought herring and put them in a 5 gal bucket…thats what u did wrong. Herring are a delicate bait. They are easily killed by rising water temps, bumping into each other and numerous other things. Once the winter comes they will do a little better in your bucket.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I probably won’t get out there until around 8-8:30, if it’s not raining.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
You can keep a dozen in the bucket but you need to add ice if it gets warm. If they die you can always cut them up for chum or cut bait. I tried fishing beaverdam after work and the wind was blowing too hard in there. Went over around Johns creek and left around dark, too windy for my liking.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
What is it? Groundhog day? Looks like weather is about a repeat of yesterday - only cooler. Beats 99 degrees with 70% humidity though!
ps - we kinda highjacked your thread…sorry
2007 TRITON 225CC
“Trailer Trash”