I cant stand reading all these good reports from my couch, its time to give it a try. I’ve never fished Murray before, but i fish Lake Wateree for stripers often so i know what im looking for. My question is where would be my bet to launch from if coming from Florence? the ramp at Wessinger RD any good? I have a 17’ deep V aluminum so i dont need much water to float it. From what i’ve been reading to sounds like the fish are on the move up lake…does that mean above Dreher Island or more towards Bear Crk. Thanks for any help you may be willing to share.
I regularly launch from the ramp on Wessinger (known as the “Hilton” ramp). It’s a nice ramp. Deep water, courtesy dock and facilities. For the past month or so I’ve been doing pretty good out in the mouth of that creek (John’s Creek) literally a five minute boat ride from the ramp. From there you’re also just a short ride to Bear creek and Bomb island. Reports from over the weekend seem to indicate that the fish may be on the move so I’m not sure if Hilton or Dreher would be the better bet. Hopefully some more reports will trickle in.
War Eagle 754 Ducks Unlimited - Yamaha 75
Not sure what ramp but the fish are from johns creek all the way to dhere island i have been finding them in 40 to 60ft. Ive been catching them on 40 ft down rods and planner boards and free line. Hope this help good luck
Weston t
quote:
Originally posted by weston tNot sure what ramp but the fish are from johns creek all the way to dhere island i have been finding them in 40 to 60ft. Ive been catching them on 40 ft down rods and planner boards and free line. Hope this help good luck
Weston t
are you using bluebacks? is it possible to castnet shad at murray? anyone ever use shiners, cause thats all the sell around here
Ive been using blue backs
Weston t
You can cast for herring and shad on Murray, but I wouldn’t depend on it. If you get there when it’s still dark you can find them around lights dock lights (especially around Marinas with lots of bright lights). I use a hydroglow to attract the bait and catch them, but cheaper lights work too if you want to pull them to your boat. I always buy bait and supplement it if I can. You how the bait will be. One night it will be thick and the next you wont find any. It’s tough catching them in the daylight.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Yea, I definately wouldn’t drive all that way and depend on being able to catch bait.
If you do decide to put in at Hilton (Wessinger Rd), Anglers South is probably the most convenient place to get your bait. Just get off I26 at the Peak exit (exit 97) and head towards Ballentine.
I would call first to make sure they have some bait and are open when you plan on going.
803-732-0803
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Also shiners do not work well. The work in the winter when the fish are targeting small bait, but I’ve never done well on them even then. If I were you I’d just swing by lake world and get herring. He always has herring. Plus Richard guides and will point you in the right direction.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Once you figure out the seasonal hotspots for the bait and how to catch them, then you can do ok. I try and keep Gizzard Shad ready to go in my tank at home fall, winter and spring and then I will often end my trips looking for bait to replinish what I used. Where ever I find the big gizzards flipping, I know there will be some big fish close by too. It takes a lot of effort and my boat is always dirty but I save some money and cover a lot of water…Like anything, you get more efficient at it the more you do it…
I’ve spent about 85% of my life’s wages on fishing, the rest I just wasted…
I was watching “Outdoors with Joey Mines” over the weekend and in addition to shad, he was using small bream and crappie for striper bait. Anyone ever used them on Murray?
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
I put in at Hilton Public landing a lot and really like that area. It is really close to some good fishing. Just get bait from Anglers and look all around the opening of Johns Creek and also rigt towards Wessinger, and then left up in the cove. Usually fish have been grouped up near reliefs and humps of 40’-60’. Use downlines, or my new favorite a crippled hering spoon. But keep casting some top water as well as they are still hitting the surface but won’t really show themselves. Just lurking about 5’-10’ under.
I am going to be staying on Wateree next weekend and have tried to catch fish the last 3 years there without luck. This time I am targeting stripers. Any tips? I can fish day or night as I have a hydroglow light to fish at night with.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoI am going to be staying on Wateree next weekend and have tried to catch fish the last 3 years there without luck. This time I am targeting stripers. Any tips? I can fish day or night as I have a hydroglow light to fish at night with.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Thanks for the info on Murray. As far as Wateree, they just dont start grouping up good until the water temps hit below 70. Come November and December i find them a lot between Colonel Creek up to June Creek. both creek mouths have some nice flats in the 20 foot range that can be good. the fish also travel the old river bed, but are more scattered, but productive. there is also the “honey hole” on the main lake downstream from colonel creek to the steep rocky point that can be very productive. i havent been yet this fall so im not sure where they are but thats where i would start looking. a bass fishing friend said he caught some stripers off rocky main lake points throwing a crankbait this weekend.
I will be staying at the Shaw AFB camp, so I am not sure I will run as far up as June Creek. But I had planned to fish Colonel Creek and the “honey hole” which I believe is the big curve that turns to the right coming out of Colonel. Basically almost directly across the lake from Shaw AFB campground?
Also, what bait do you use,a nd where do you get it?
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
nice map! yea thats the area or a little left of your marker in that bowl like area. i’ve also catch some on the mainlake side of those islands across from thhe honey hole, but it gets shallow fast so watch your depth finder. it will only be a couple minute run upstream from shaw. there is only one bait shop that i know of and its up the road north of shaw off 97. not sure of the name and last time i was there he only sells shiners. there is a store there at clearwater cove but i dont think they have bait. i usually bring my own bait and castnet shad in the backs of creeks. wateree is only threadfins and gizzards, no BB.