I have never trout fished in the lower saluda but wanted to try this coming week end. I have a 14 foot aluminum flat bottom Lowe boat with a 40 yahahma on the back. I was going to put in at the landing off Corley mill and go up river towords the dam. I was going to cast small spoons and fish with corn off the bottom. Any advise would be much appreciated.
Be careful, very shallow and rocky. Not saying don’t do it, just go slow and be careful. Right below the rapids up there is a good spot. Don’t use too much weight, you want it to get down, but you also want it to drift. Rooster tails are a good option.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Leave the corn at home also. If you planning catch and release the corn will kill them. Also with all this rain you might be wasting your time. Went over the 26 bridge yesterday and it is up like 6’ or more (probably on the more side of things) and looks like chocolate milk. You will never get to the bottom in that.
Like tom said roostertails or any type of in line spinner is your friend. Couple weeks ago pink, chartreuse, and anything bright was hot. When those arent working go to the darks.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Since you are not familiar with navigating up the river, I think your best bet would be to beach your boat on the right side of the river at the first rapids as you head up river. Bring some waders and you have some good water to fish. Try anywhere from just below the rapids all the way up through the rapids and even up in the flat water just above them.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Edit: posted before I saw the other replies. If the water is still up, beaching the boat and wading in the rapids may not be an option. One good thing about fishing the upper part of the river is that it will be the first area to clear up. Saturday is the next chance of rain, so the am may be ok.
Thanks,
So how do I know if the river will be up to high or not? Has anyone seen it today? Does it typically go down quickly after being up several feet.
Im not really sure about how high it is. but every one is talking about the rapids there is a set of them about 135 yards up the river. look for a little island and a little cove on the right thats where they start. if its high ur not gonna see them but look for the cove / island on the right. there is also a set a little farther down the river
my favorite is rooster tails and beetle spins. not to big
good luck watch out for ROCKS!!
Weston t
Go to the ramp and look down river. If you can see large pockets of hydrilla on the left side or even see rocks sticking up a good ways down then it is game on. Also the number of cars in the parking lot should be a good sign. I think there is a water level pole there also. It should be way down on it probably should have a good 10’ out of the water. Water shouldnt be in the trees.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
okay well I live about 45 min away in Lugoff so once I am there I am fishing weather or not its up or not. What I meant to say was is there a way to check before I make the long drive. I found a graph on SCE&G’s website and it looks like it is going back down so I think we will be okay but I appreciate the advise.
When u mentioned a graph it reminded me that i have a number to call for water levels. I use it when fishing the Congaree. 803 822 8135. Somewhere on there should be the lower saluda. It will tell the height but not what normal levels are. I know perfect for the congaree is around 4-5. So that can give u something to gauge off from.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I will pull into Saluda Shoals Park (straight across from the Corley Mill Rd ramp)as I pass on my way home from work tomorrow and post what it looks like.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
I went across the I-20 bridge yesterday and it still looked like chocolate milk. Couldn’t tell whether the water was high or not (dang semi blocked my veiw). The Congaree looked pretty muddy when I crossed the Blossom St. bridge today. Instead of corn, bring some worms.
Bob Van Gundy
Marine Designs,Inc.
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
803-727-4069
Stopped on the way home and the water is crystal clear up near the boat ramps.
I usually like to wait a couple of months after they stock them, but I really got the bug after stopping down there. Anyone ever try a single circle hook instead of the treble that comes on a rooster tail? If I go I am going to give it a try.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Should be a few fish there.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/yr2012/dec13/dec13_trout.html
I’d rather fish than eat.
A gun in the hand is better than a cop on the phone.
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Yea there should be alot of fish around .if i could drive i would have gone already.
yall are making we want to go so bad
Weston t
There is plenty of shore fishing from the saluda sholes park if you wanted to leave the boat. Also, I would take some corn. There are rumors that corn kill trout but they are not true. Unless they swallow the hook. Pennsylvania Fish Commission did a study and found that they don’t get a lot of nutrition from corn, but it is not deadly. I’ve used flies, spinners, spoons, corn and worms on the Saluda. Some days you just can’t beat corn. Here is a link to the corn study if you are interested
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/images/pages/qa/fish_regs/corn_chum.htm
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
quote:
Originally posted by steelytomThere is plenty of shore fishing from the saluda sholes park if you wanted to leave the boat. Also, I would take some corn. There are rumors that corn kill trout but they are not true. Unless they swallow the hook. Pennsylvania Fish Commission did a study and found that they don’t get a lot of nutrition from corn, but it is not deadly. I’ve used flies, spinners, spoons, corn and worms on the Saluda. Some days you just can’t beat corn. Here is a link to the corn study if you are interested
http://www.fish.state.pa.us/images/pages/qa/fish_regs/corn_chum.htmWellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Wow…I have been lied to all my life…lol… good to know though.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Thanks for all the help. I will be there in the morning with the boat, rooster tails, worms and corn.
What is the limit on the trout?
5, no size limit
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
No size limit but 5 per person. And DNR is strict on the trout!!!. 90% chance you WILL get checked. I have seen as many as 4 officers up and down the river checkung for trout
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude