Hello everyone, my name is Angel and I am new to the forum. I am going to visit the Columbia, South Carolina area in April. I am from South Florida and would like to fish for striped bass in South Carolina. I am going to be in the Columbia area for 5 days and I will have a car, so I am willing to make a drive for a decent chance at catching striped bass. Any help that you guys can give me on locations to fish for striped bass on the shore close to Columbia will be appreciated. I will return the favor and help anyone that wants to know about South Florida fishing.
Access is pretty limited for shore anglers but they can be found. One popular spot is just below the Gervais St. bridge in Columbia. There is a parking area off of Gist St. just past the bridge. It is a short walk to river. There is a gravel bar you can wade to but be careful getting there. Find a rock or other object to gauge water level. It can rise suddenly from dam releases upstream. You can only keep 3 fish, minimum size 26".
quote:
Originally posted by rivermanAccess is pretty limited for shore anglers but they can be found. One popular spot is just below the Gervais St. bridge in Columbia. There is a parking area off of Gist St. just past the bridge. It is a short walk to river. There is a gravel bar you can wade to but be careful getting there. Find a rock or other object to gauge water level. It can rise suddenly from dam releases upstream. You can only keep 3 fish, minimum size 26".
Thank you Riverman for helping me. I will consider fishing the location you mentioned.I plan on releasing all the fish I catch while I am fishing in South Carolina. What techniques do you recommend for the striped bass in this river?
Riverman is spot on as far as VERY limited bank access to striper fishing. The river will be your best bet and the striper typically start their run from Lake Marion, up the Congaree river and into the Broad and Saluda rivers (their convergence in where Riverman mentioned) around that time of year. I wade for smallmouth in the nearby Broad River and sometimes catch a few stripers while doing so. The water will still be pretty cool then and the air temp could still be a bit nippy. Personally, I would recommend uninsulated waders and felt sole wading boots. As far lures for the stripers, my go-to’s are…fluke-style soft plastic jerkbaits, topwater baits like poppers, walk the dog style baits and Whopper Ploppers, spinnerbaits (willow leaf blades), shallow running crankbaits, jerkbaits (traditional hard plastic kind). I use spinning gear that I normally fish for largemouth bass with. I see some guys down there with big saltwater rated rods but they’re usually soaking bait. I’d recommend a 7’ med/med-hvy rod and a 25-30 size reel (with a good drag) spooled with 20lb test braid. If the water is a little dirty or I’m throwing a topwater bait, I’ll use straight braid but if the water is clear, and I’m not throwing a topwater bait, I’ll use a 14lb test fluorocarbon leader. The river does get some big stripers but on average, you’ll catch them in the 5-10 pound range but they can flat out pull.
I would check back just prior to your trip to get an update on conditions. As mentioned, river levels fluctuate greatly (discharge from the dam up the Saluda river and rainfall impacts from the Saluda and Broad rivers) and conditions can get treacherous. Sadly, they fish people from that stretch of the river every year.
“…be a man and PM me.”
i recommend you monitoring SCEG’s webpage and also registering for phone alerts. you will get an automated phone call if SCEG plans on opening an extra gate and/or increasing the flow from the dam.
https://www.sceg.com/about-us/lower-saluda-river
Proline 201WA
Aloha 24ft pontoon (LooneyToon)
Old Town stern with 7.5 johnson
Ain’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by TheMechanici recommend you monitoring SCEG’s webpage and also registering for phone alerts. you will get an automated phone call if SCEG plans on opening an extra gate and/or increasing the flow from the dam.
https://www.sceg.com/about-us/lower-saluda-river
Proline 201WA
Aloha 24ft pontoon (LooneyToon)
Old Town stern with 7.5 johnson
I’ve found this to be inconsistent, at best, at least as it pertains to prescribed releases. It’s fine for current levels but if OP isn’t familiar with “normal” flow/levels, those numbers would be Greek to him.
Plus, I loved it when my notification would go off at 2 am. Lol!
“…be a man and PM me.”
quote:
Originally posted by bangstickRiverman is spot on as far as VERY limited bank access to striper fishing. The river will be your best bet and the striper typically start their run from Lake Marion, up the Congaree river and into the Broad and Saluda rivers (their convergence in where Riverman mentioned) around that time of year. I wade for smallmouth in the nearby Broad River and sometimes catch a few stripers while doing so. The water will still be pretty cool then and the air temp could still be a bit nippy. Personally, I would recommend uninsulated waders and felt sole wading boots. As far lures for the stripers, my go-to’s are…fluke-style soft plastic jerkbaits, topwater baits like poppers, walk the dog style baits and Whopper Ploppers, spinnerbaits (willow leaf blades), shallow running crankbaits, jerkbaits (traditional hard plastic kind). I use spinning gear that I normally fish for largemouth bass with. I see some guys down there with big saltwater rated rods but they’re usually soaking bait. I’d recommend a 7’ med/med-hvy rod and a 25-30 size reel (with a good drag) spooled with 20lb test braid. If the water is a little dirty or I’m throwing a topwater bait, I’ll use straight braid but if the water is clear, and I’m not throwing a topwater bait, I’ll use a 14lb test fluorocarbon leader. The river does get some big stripers but on average, you’ll catch them in the 5-10 pound range but they can flat out pull.
I would check back just prior to your trip to get an update on conditions. As mentioned, river levels fluctuate greatly (discharge from the dam up the Saluda river and rainfall impacts from the Saluda and Broad rivers) and conditions can get treacherous. Sadly, they fish people from that stretch of the river every year.
“…be a man and PM me.”
Thank you for helping me Bangst
quote:
Originally posted by TheMechanici recommend you monitoring SCEG’s webpage and also registering for phone alerts. you will get an automated phone call if SCEG plans on opening an extra gate and/or increasing the flow from the dam.
https://www.sceg.com/about-us/lower-saluda-river
Thank you for helping me TheMechanic. I am going to read this webpage for river water levels.
Proline 201WA
Aloha 24ft pontoon (LooneyToon)
Old Town stern with 7.5 johnson
quote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerAin’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you for helping me Murrymaker. Which lake is the pier located in and what type of cutbait do you recommend?
youre right bangstick. the stats on the page arent kept as current as they should be. i use riverapp to monitor current stats. i mainly posted that page for OP to have a link to register for the phone alerts.
Proline 201WA
Aloha 24ft pontoon (LooneyToon)
Old Town stern with 7.5 johnson
If I’m ever in S. Fla maybe you could hook me up on some Peacocks! Been wanting to do an Amazon trip for the big Peacocks, but S Fla would do in a pinch.
quote:
Originally posted by Travelingfishermanquote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerAin’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you for helping me Murrymaker. Which lake is the pier located in and what type of cutbait do you recommend?
Cut herring. You can buy it at any of the bait shops around the dam. (preferably better bait 116 Jakes Landing Road Lexington SC) but any of the shops will have it. Carolina rig 2ooz egg weigh with 2/0 hook will work fine
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by Travelingfishermanquote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerAin’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you for helping me Murrymaker. Which lake is the pier located in and what type of cutbait do you recommend?
It’s at the dam on Lake Murray.
As far as the Bartram’s (Red Eye), I’ve fished that downtown section of the Saluda and Broad rivers for smallmouth and striper for over 15 years and I’ve never caught one (Bartram’s) there. I know there are reports of them in the Saluda below the Lake Murray dam and down into the lower Saluda but again, I’ve never caught one and don’t now anyone who has.
“…be a man and PM me.”
quote:
Originally posted by rivermanIf I’m ever in S. Fla maybe you could hook me up on some Peacocks! Been wanting to do an Amazon trip for the big Peacocks, but S Fla would do in a pinch.
When do you plan on coming to South Florida?Send me your email and we can plan a fishing trip. I have been fishing for peacock bass for well over 20 years and have caught hundreds of citation sized peacock bass,so I am very familiar on where to find peacock bass and what to use to catch them. The best way to catch a peacock bass is with live bait, but you can do very well with artificial lures. Some good peacock bass lures are the following;
propbaits,poppers,jerkbaits,crankbaits, and jigs.
For line I like using 8-12 pound test mono. I tend to catch the biggest peacock bass in Miami Dade county, but you can catch big ones as far north as northern West Palm Beach county.
quote:
Originally posted by Murrymakerquote:
Originally posted by Travelingfishermanquote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerAin’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you for helping me Murrymaker. Which lake is the pier located in and what type of cutbait do you recommend?
Cut herring. You can buy it at any of the bait shops around the dam. (preferably better bait 116 Jakes Landing Road Lexington SC) but any of the shops will have it. Carolina rig 2ooz egg weigh with 2/0 hook will work fine
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you. I will consider buying cut herring for bait to catch stripers. I am looking towards to this trip since it has been years since I have fished in South Carolina. You live in a very beautiful state and I have very good memories from the last time I visited.
quote:
Originally posted by bangstickquote:
Originally posted by Travelingfishermanquote:
Originally posted by MurrymakerAin’t no fish in that river…wasting your time going…
in April go set on the pier on the irmo side of the lake dam. Plenty of striper will be schooling there in the mornings and evenings. During the day they can be caught on cutbait…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
140 Suzuki
Thank you for helping me Murrymaker. Which lake is the pier located in and what type of cutbait do you recommend?
It’s at the dam on Lake Murray.
As far as the Bartram’s (Red Eye), I’ve fished that downtown section of the Saluda and Broad rivers for smallmouth and striper for over 15 years and I’ve never caught one (Bartram’s) there. I know there are reports of them in the Saluda below the Lake Murray dam and down into the lower Saluda but again, I’ve never caught one and don’t now anyone who has.
“…be a man and PM me.”
Thank you I will consider fishing the dam on Lake Murray. I am willing to travel to catch my first Bartrams bass since I enjoy catching different species of bass. They don’t grow much but I have read they fight good for their size.