What’s the general consensus of the starting time of the spring run up the river? What makes them start? Moon? Temp?
What would you guys say peak fishing dates are?
Seems like last week of March was hot last year. I have my own thoughts but always like to hear what others think especially the more “senior” members.
I would think it will be early this year! With the presant water in the mid 50’s about 10-12 deg warmer than this time last year, I bet it will be at least 2 week early!I will let you know when it begins!! I fish the Saluda above Murry!
They start spawning when the water gets around 60*, so it won’t be too long with the weather we are having. I’m not sure if they stage at the upper lake and wait for the temperature to change.
Years ago I remember coming home after a really good day on the Congaree in downtown Columbia and noticing that the bushes in my front yard, Azaleas I think, had just bloomed. That stuck in my head and after that I used it as a gauge of when to start fishing down there. Not very scientific, but it seemed to hold up year to year.
Peak dates would depend on what part of the river you are talking about. You mention Marion, so I’m assuming you are talking about the very lower part of the river, which I would think late March sounds about right. If I had to predict, my choice for the peak times up in Columbia would be 2nd or 3rd week in Apr for the Congaree, mid/late May for the Saluda from the zoo on up to Gardendale/Allied Plant and into June for the upper part of the river closer to the dam.
That would be my choices on a normal year, but I agree with Tom that things may be early this year with these higher than normal temps we are seeing.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
And when the dogwoods bloom the fish start to move to the Saluda
now!
Now huh, any report to give? Just curious if there was any size to them.
a few good size ones caught in the river already… i’ll be there tommorrow!