I am just curious if anyone has checked the water temp. in the last few days at Lake Murray and thoughts on a shad kill.
I don’t think 2 days of freezing will drop the temp that much, I saw where it is going to be in the 60s by fri.
Sunday afternoon around 4:00 it was 51-52 near Putnam’s. If someone responds with a more recent reading, I will be curious to see how much it has dropped since then.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
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
Up above Spinners the water temperature was 47 in the mud. It was 50-52 in Crystal Lake where we caught fish on Saturday.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
Thanks, guys. Those temps. are higher than what I thought they would be and definitely too high for a shad kill. Both Edisto Rivers 3-4 miles from the ocean have water temps. of 45-46.
49-50 near Putnam’s today around 2:00pm. 47-48 up near Rawl’s Cabin after that.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
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
Thanks Bowhunter!
quote:
Originally posted by Bowhunter49-50 near Putnam’s today around 2:00pm. 47-48 up near Rawl’s Cabin after that.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150Molon 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
There will definitely be a shad kill between now and next Thursday. Watch for the fish to go up the river to follow the “chum” line
And you know that how?
Everything Ive read suggests that threadfin die off in massive quantities when waters reach 40 degrees or below. However, wild temperature changes below 50 can trigger spotty die-offs. Sure it’s cold tonight, but the highs are supposed to rebound into the 50’s with 60 by Monday. Then maybe some snow Tuesday night. Who knows? Rick, I’d have the same question as well.
Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer
If I’m not mistaken most of the “old time” die offs occurred when the shad were cruising on top during a very sudden extreme cold snap. It seems to me that we have been marking a lot of baitfish deeper than 35’, some much deeper, for the past month or more. I don’t remember massive die offs occuring under similar conditions in past years. I guess if the baitfish have stayed shallow in the rivers during the muddy conditions then there could be a die off if the water cools off quickly enough. I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I do know that the stripers usually go up river every year to “false spawn”. They should be up there soon for that annual event. Some even go up the creek to false spawn. No pun intended. Bear creek used to load up with them in winter/early spring, if you knew where to fish. Fog knows where and how big they were!! So do I. My personal best striper came from Bear. My best week ever was there too with three in the teens in three days after work.
Well, Rick, from personal experience. When the water temps. drop below 45 in the rivers, shad get extremely lethargic, and the ones that don’t find deep refuge will tend to die overnight where waters dip in the lower 40’s. Shad kills happen almost EVERY year in places such as the White River in Arkansas where huge trout follow dead and dying shad up the rivers. Back in January 2001 was the most recent BIG kill that resulted in masses of dead and dying shad being pulled through Buzzard Roost Dam. Fish were STACKED in the Big Saluda all the way from Bush River to the dam. They stayed for about 10 days and fishing was incredible. Water temps were 41-43 and all you had to do was find a current break where there was a back eddy, and stripers were sipping shad off the top like trout sipping emerging nymphs. Unless you were there, you can’t imagine the shear numbers of fish, and you caught em until you got bored with it on artificials.
quote:
Originally posted by Rick KAnd you know that how?
BTW, there is SOME successful spawning that takes place in the Big Saluda although the percentages are fairly small. That’s why they (power co.) keep a “minimum” flow during the Spring to keep the fertilized eggs suspended and moving for the required 72 hours.
quote:
Originally posted by SpoonmasterIf I’m not mistaken most of the “old time” die offs occurred when the shad were cruising on top during a very sudden extreme cold snap. It seems to me that we have been marking a lot of baitfish deeper than 35’, some much deeper, for the past month or more. I don’t remember massive die offs occuring under similar conditions in past years. I guess if the baitfish have stayed shallow in the rivers during the muddy conditions then there could be a die off if the water cools off quickly enough. I wouldn’t bet the farm on it. I do know that the stripers usually go up river every year to “false spawn”. They should be up there soon for that annual event. Some even go up the creek to false spawn. No pun intended. Bear creek used to load up with them in winter/early spring, if you knew where to fish. Fog knows where and how big they were!! So do I. My personal best striper came from Bear. My best week ever was there too with three in the teens in three days after work.
According to USGS, the current surface water temp at the dam is 49.3 degrees. The dam has clear water. Dingy/muddy water absorbs more heat from the sun, and in most cases is warmer than clear water.
Most of the shad kill on the White River is from shad dropping deeper seeking warmer water, and getting sucked through the turbines. The turbines kill the majority of them, not the water temperature.
But, you are correct that when the water temperature drops below about 45, the threadfin lose their ability to metabolize their stored fat and end up finding their energy in muscle tissue and their internal organs, which eventually leads to death.
Good stuff capt Rick .Hope we don’t have a threadfin kill this year.last one I remember was 2009 and it wasn’t a big one.We had high water almost full pool that year.
TOM GITTO
I went to the lake (Murray) this afternoon to try out the boat. Temps were 47ish at Larry Koon around 2:00pm and 46-47 over near Putnam’s. Did see 45 in the big water between the two but the wind was out of the west at 10-15 mph+. Water was stained almost everywhere that I went. Didn’t fish, though.
Ranger Bay 2000
Yamaha F150
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
I got to fish with Fogman yesterday. Another fun trip on Murray. We caught fish on the Lexington and Chapin sides. Water temps were around 45 - 46 degrees when I took time to look. Fog was operating the boat, so all I had to do was fish. That’s a really good deal from my point of view! We looked for the clearest water we could find and managed to catch a nice mess of fish. I guess my new motto is “fish deep and catch a heap”. Most fish hit the Berry’s in 1/2 ounce and 3/4 ounce sizes. I also caught some on the 3/4 ounce silver CC spoon including a nice keeper largemouth that was released to bite again another day. Thanks Fog.
Spoonmaster, were you guys Striper fishing or Perch Jerkin’?
We went out yesterday and the wind was NOT what was forecasted …
Hard to pull boards in 10-15 mph winds …
We fished the Big Gap and then Plantation Point and then Buffalo Creek …
Still managed to bring home dinner … 
I’m going to have to get with you and Fogman on getting this Perch Jerkin’ thing down … I have a bunch of kids (7 - 12) who want to go fishing, but I don’t think they will have the patience for Striper (yet) … I’d like to be able to put them on a bunch of little fish and let them have a field day …
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Law, You can always drop a crappie minnow down. If they are there they will eat them as fast as you drop them. I have 6 year olds and I prefer the single hooks over the trebles. Plus playing with the minnows will buy you some more time on the lake
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomLaw, You can always drop a crappie minnow down. If they are there they will eat them as fast as you drop them. I have 6 year olds and I prefer the single hooks over the trebles. Plus playing with the minnows will buy you some more time on the lake
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Agreed, but what is even more important than the bait is … location location location … LOL
I keep hearing about these places that produce 100’s of perch in a day … I just need to figure out how to find them … If only I could get my Wife to stop STRIPER fishing long enough for us to find some perch … LOLOL
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke