When is the prime time to go Striper fishing on Lake Moultrie/Marion/Murray? Also any guide recommendations. Thanks in advance.
Prime time for me is when you can go.
Seriously, the easiest fishing is the summertime and fall downrod bite on Murray. However, planer boarding in winter and spring can be spectacular. On the Santee lakes, you’ve got to be mindful of the summertime restrictions.
As far as guides, there are many good ones out there. I’m available right now on every weekend except the 3rd Saturday tournament day. When school is out, I’ll be available most anytime from early June through early August. My rates are very reasonable. Drop me a line if I can be of service… Shameless plug time.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
I’m struggling on Murray, pulling boards. Any pointers?
Right now with all the dirty water in the main channel, the stripers seem to be up Little Saluda, Crystal, Beaverdam, Bear, and Ballentine where the water is clearer. You can catch all the shorts you want in those areas pulling over 30-60 feet. However to get better fish, you generally need to be pulling in 20 or less. Keep your speed at .4 to .8 and don’t be afraid to put plenty of lead behind your planners.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.
How much lead we talking?
quote:
Originally posted by tjacksonHow much lead we talking?
Trent - everyone does it a little bit differently, but there are also a lot of similarities …
I think by “lead” James means line behind the planers rather than actual weight (although some of us do that too 
) …
I will typically start with 20’-25’ from the planer to the bait … If I’m running bigger bait (10" - 14") then I will not run line out longer than the depth I’m running the baits in … for example - if using a 12" shad in 5’ of water, then my bait will be no more than 5’ behind the planer - this is typically to avoid hanging the larger baits up on the bottom …
I use linecounter reels so it’s easier for me than those that don’t - I just set my linecounter at zero, hook on my bait, throw it out there anywhere from 5’ to 40’, hook on the board, run the board out anywhere from 10’ to 150’ feet from the boat and repeat until you have all your spread out …
Once all of the lines are out it’ll look something like this …
Does that make sense??
… it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish !!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
Yes I’ve been running 6 boards exactly like this but minus any weight, I’ve been marking fish but haven’t been very successful in getting them to eat.
Yes I’ve been running 6 boards exactly like this but minus any weight, I’ve been marking fish but haven’t been very successful in getting them to eat.
LC is spot on. When pulling herring, shiners, or small shad, I put 2X the water depth I’m pulling-- many times as much 50-75 feet behind the planer boards when pulling open water. Generally, I like adding a small split shot to the lines with regular sized bait. This tends to keep the bait down enough to keep the birds off of it, yet not too much to be concerned about hanging up.
I agree. With bigger baits, you don’t want any added weight and shouldn’t go farther behind the boards than the average water depth you’re pulling. Big baits also should be pulled a little faster at .8 to as much as 1.5. If you pull a mixture of big and regular sized bait, you may not always hook up on the big baits. However, they will draw in good fish that will often eat the smaller baits. That’s how we did well in last March’s DNR open.
James “Captain Fog” Lindler
Team Hardcore
Xpress HB-22
F150 4 Stroke Yammy Jammer
For guide service, search fogmanfisheries on Facebook.