Hey everyone. I’m looking for some clarification when it comes to the DNR website. To my understanding on the DNR website you are still allowed to target striper on the Lower Saluda between June 1st and September 30th as long as it is strictly catch and release correct? I’ve had some people say you can’t but from my understanding it is not unlawful. If you are indeed allowed to fish for them has anyone had any luck this time of year? I’ve always only fished them during the Spring run but I’m looking to get my line in the water this weekend and wrestle with some stripers for a bit. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, that’s my understanding as well. You can fish from the Lake Murray Dam down to the Gervais St bridge but it’s strictly catch and release only. Can’t help much with finding them. Went only once this summer and it rained while I was out so we didn’t catch a thing.
Key West Bay Reef 186
Yamaha 115
You can definitely target them, but I’m not so sure about down to the Gervais St Bridge as that would be the Congaree. I believe you have to be above where the Saluda converges with the Conagaree. I haven’t hardly fished the river from the yak at all this year, but in the past I have caught a few this late.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Awesome, thanks guys. I’ll plan on staying up around the zoo area to stay on the safe side.
Perception Pescador Angler 12
I have always been told that it was the Gervais Street bridge. They have to have a physical landmark for a cut off line. It will be interesting to see what happened to this fishery over the next couple of years. Since they will not be generating water anymore other than just tocontrol lake levels it may hinder the stripers ability to come up stream in the spring
If I was going this weekend I would target from the cable by the dam all the way down to i-26 Bridge or anywhere in between. Especially targeting deeper holes or slower moving water. This time of year the evening bite is best up by the cable it is pretty fast and furious for the last hour of daylight. You will probably have to drag the kayak 50-60 yards or so through the shallows.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
You guys must be right. Took a walk at the dam on the Broad River at lunchtime and even there they had a sign I’ve never before paid attention to saying C&R during the summer. Definately would stay in the Saluda though this time of year.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerSince they will not be generating water anymore other than just tocontrol lake levels it may hinder the stripers ability to come up stream in the spring
Chip,
What is the basis of your saying they will not be generating other than to control lake levels? I don’t believe that was in the re-licensing agreement with FERC.
Rick K
2310 Polar Bay Boat
Yamaha 250 4 Stroke
Target them all year above 12th St Bridge. Only target them below 12th St bridge from Nov 1st - May 31st. ALL must be released Between June 1st - and Oct 31st. If you’re keeping, 26" or over and 2 a day during in season. The reason for them allowing you to catch and release above 12th Street Bridge all year is because the water there is deemed cold enough year around for safety of the fish surviving a release. Below that area, the Broad River and the distance away from the Murray dam elevate the water temp.s too high for fish survival during C and R.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
Once again do NOT target Rockfish down to Gervais St Bridge during the closed season, its 12th St. bridge and further upriver only. (1/4) mile up river from Gervais.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
If you wanna catch a mess, and you can wade pretty well, PM me. But I only catch and release ANY time of year. But I straight get 'em. No
live bait either.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerI have always been told that it was the Gervais Street bridge. They have to have a physical landmark for a cut off line. It will be interesting to see what happened to this fishery over the next couple of years. Since they will not be generating water anymore other than just tocontrol lake levels it may hinder the stripers ability to come up stream in the spring
If I was going this weekend I would target from the cable by the dam all the way down to i-26 Bridge or anywhere in between. Especially targeting deeper holes or slower moving water. This time of year the evening bite is best up by the cable it is pretty fast and furious for the last hour of daylight. You will probably have to drag the kayak 50-60 yards or so through the shallows.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Controlling Murray levels, yes, is the main reason for running water through the dam. So more than anything, us getting our striper water each early spring relies on rainfall in the upstate, and snowmelt in the foothills and mountains.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerIt will be interesting to see what happened to this fishery over the next couple of years. Since they will not be generating water anymore other than just tocontrol lake levels it may hinder the stripers ability to come up stream in the spring
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Where can I find out more about this? I just checked the river gage for the last 60 days and there were very few spikes. I don’t get out for stripers much, but I do like to fish for trout in the winter, and I’d like to learn more about the change in dam release.
Its like this every summer. Its hot, there is little rainfall, Murray evaporates a LOT of water from its sheer surface area. The upper Saluda isn’t giving Murray much water. Nothing has changed except the hottest Midlands summer in recent memory. There are plenty of stocked trout to be fished, stripers to be found. I have lived in Columbia and fished these rivers for two decades. The water is a bit low this year but the seasonal patterns of deep water/shallow water haven’t changed.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.
You can catch stripers in the Saluda at 600 cfs and you can at 18,000 cfs. You just adapt.
No matter how many variables I have control over, I never expect a bite. I only hope.