Took the kayak to the Saluda today. Fished below the zoo, using a shallow diving crank bait. Fished from 1-5 pm. I caught two shorts and one good one. I didn’t have anything to measure the fish with so he’s still out there swimming.
We floated from the fish ladder on the broad to rosewood on sunday In the canoe. water was still a little dingy for a good smallmouth bite but managed 2 of them and 1 largemouth. Once we got into striper waters we put away the smallmouth baits.
We found the striper pretty easily. Only problem is we didn’t have a good time schedule. Caught 4 real quick and seen many more swimming around. Had to leave them to get on down the river before it got to late.
I am heading down there early saturday morning about 615ish. Gotta be home by 1230 so not gonna mess with the smallies. Hopefully be able to hit one of those double digit days.
This guy had 2 more swimming with it all the way to the boat. It looked like They kept trying to get the fluke out of its mouth…lol…wish they had bit. Both were bigger with 1 of them being MUCH bigger. This fish is bigger than it looks…lol…pic was taken from 1 end of the canoe to the other (18’ away)
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Sounds like an awesome trip. Nice job. I’m not sure how much it will affect you and your float path this weekend, but they’re projecting the saluda flow in the red range.
Can someone a link to the site that records all the data. I got a new phone and lost my bookmarks. And it takes me forever going though their site to get to the saluda. Been using an app lately but it doesn’t do future flows like mentioned above.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Just checked SCE&G website. The Saluda is scheduled to be in the red range Sat. May 16, not May 9. You should be ok this weekend.
That must be the day Canoeing For Kids is doing their annual rafting fundraiser. I know it’s always around Mothers Day.
If so, it is a great time. Guided raft trips similar to what you would find upstate, only right here in our own back yard. SCE&G opens the flood gates for the day and you float from just above I20 to Gervais.
Definately work looking into if you have never done it.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Just checked again and river man is right…red range on May 16th.
https://www.sceg.com/about-us/lower-saluda-river
Went again today and caught a few sleigh rides. 5 Nice ones and 2 smaller ones.
What has been your bait of choice lately?
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Yesterday I used a shallow-diving crank bait. Today I used white super fluke. How about you?
Ratherbfishin, where are you parking to access below the zoo? On Candi Lane? Are they still letting people park there?
Also have you seen any threadfin shad down there? Or any gizzards for that matter?
Nope I haven’t noticed any shad. I’ve never been to Candi Ln. I park at the Riverwalk and paddle upstream. If you go there make sure you have a good cart. Mine broke today and fortunately a good samaritan helped me carry it back to the truck.
I pretty much throw a fluke 98% of the time. Occasionally I will throw a money minnow if my wrist starts hurting from jerkin a fluke. This sat I plan on throwing a Mr Whiggley for a little bit. Although I could only find the pike color. Maybe it will look like a brown trout down there…lol…
Did see some bait being chased Sunday but it was in the broad under the river drive bridge. Looked like small threadfins being chased by small largemouth/smallmouth
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
How far are u going up? Above shannon’s rapid (think that’s what they call it)? Its the large rapid below the garden walkway that goes over the river. Or staying just below it.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Oh ok, I occasionally put the kayak in at the riverwalk and go up to the zoo, but you have to walk it up past several rapids including Shandon rapids. Sure would be easier if you could park closer to the zoo.
Gotta network man. Get to know some people with private property…… I put in below the garden walkway but above Shandon rapid. Fish that area then drop down Shandon and fish that big pool then call it a day.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
Yep, guess I need to go knock on some doors. lol
I’ve been going up to the rapid just above where the broad meets the saluda, not sure of its name. Yep I have to get out and drag in a couple of places.
Is the Broad river fish ladder by Hwy 176? If I put in there and floated down would I be able to paddle back where I put in.
That would be alot of dragging back up right around where u put in not many rapids till u get down to Taylor st bridge. But that’s a long paddle back from Taylor street. Not a whole of good Fishing in that area right now. It’s better in the fall.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude