Has anyone used a sabiki to catch herring on Lake Murray (or the others)? Just checking to see if this tactic might work, especially when fishing from a kayak and if the bait shops are closed in January.
I did a search on the forum to avoid being redundant, but I did not get any ‘hits’ on the subject.
Thanks for the help.
I’ve heard of people using them in Murray with success during the summer. I actually purchased one but have not attempted it yet. Would be interested to hear some tips also.
Herring are not “river” bait fish from what I understand. They prefer big open deep water from what I have read. Preferably clear clean water…Therefore in my opinion you will not find them in the rivers in the winter. Dropping a Sabiki in the rivers or anywhere “uplake” is probably going to yield perch and more perch. All the bait in the rrives you mark on the depth finder are threadfins and gizzards.
If it were easy to catch herring in the winter on murray, the bait men would not be driving to the top of clarks hill to catch them. There is plenty of bait to be caught with a cast net in the rivers. It may not be great size but it can be used successfully with the right methods.
My last 2 bait trips on murray have not been real good but I have been targeting 10"+ gizzards. I have been catching threadfins from 1-4" gizzards from 2-4" with a couple over 10". Have even found a couple spots that are producing 3-6" shiners…but it’s all water temp dependent. most exciting catch so far has been a 2# shell cracker and a 9# largemouth…
As far as Sabiki in murray? Wait till spring and you can get all the herring u want in the big pool until octoberish. Corey, we will go out on day and catch some herring on sabikis. I almost enjoy that as much as striper fishing. Not to mention u will catch striper on them while trying to get the herring to the boat.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
We used Sabiki rigs to catch herring around the towers in the summer time … never used them in the winter time
it’s my Wife’s fault we HAVE to fish now!!!
2005 Sea Pro 2100cc / Yamaha 150hp 4-Stroke
For me, the only time I catch them on sabiki rigs is in the summer and spring at the towers or when I draw them under the lights at night. I’m sure they will hit them anywhere you find them very concentrated, but unless there is something holding them to an area like the towers or under a light they will usually be moving around and it’s much more efficient to just throw a net.
Actually, unless they are deep, it’s probably always more efficient throwing a net…just not as much fun. 
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Thanks for all of the ■■■■■■■■. I didn’t realize what I was seeing on the finder was shad. I suppose I should really try to get proficient tossing my small net from the kayak.
Catching perch on the sabiki though may be fun too.
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
In the winter all they ever seem to be really gorging on are small threadfins. The question is does anyone use them…?. I would think small shiners or even rainbow trout if you can get them about 3/4 inches.
In the winter all they ever seem to be really gorging on are small threadfins. The question is does anyone use them…?. I would think small shiners or even rainbow trout if you can get them about 3/4 inches.
I’ve used threadfin shad a few times, they seemed to work. Couple times I went after dark and caught bait at a dock by hollow creek. Was hoping for herring and only caught shad. I heard they don’t live in a bait tank very good. But when I was getting them I was catching a few at a time, using them and repeating.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
Check the stomachs of all the fish you catch in the winter! I bet 99% of what you find is small threadfins. Most about the size of a dime! Hard to beat them as bait, but you must use a small hook so the bait can work!
What would be the best method for catching threadfins?
Sea Hunt BX22 Br
WS Tarpon 140
Cast net. Thread fins and gizzards are filter feeders and are not aggressive toward a Sabiki like herring are.
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
i have only had success using the sabiki in deep water under the lights, on blueback only. i start just under the shad as shown on the fishfinder screen. give it a gig or two every 10 feet until you fell a hit. not uncommon to have a fish take the bait from you. but by all means buy a dozen or so or carry a net for shad this rig will not work all the time as i have found out.
Dennis,
What kind of lights are you using. I use a hydroglow and have never been able to get them to hit a sabiki at night. I have caught some of the nicest herring in the summer mid afternoon. I was at the towers a couple weeks ago and there were thick schools of herring down about 30’. I wonder if they could be caught on a sabiki this time of year.
Wellcraft V-20 sportfish with a 200 Evinrude
I have caught them at night on a Sabiki but it is MUCH harder than in the daytime. In the day you can almost fill up a rig. At night its usually 1 or 2 here and there…i dont know if they can’t see as well because of the light or if they are just more consumed in the stuff they are feeding on in the light…i can watch them follow the rig up and down but just won’t bite it… man this makes me want to go catch some bait…ha
“Sea~N~Stripes”
21’ Hewes Craft Custom
115 Evinrude
I think it matters more at night exactly what kind of sabiki you are using. I never caught many at night until a friend who does it often showed me the sabiki rig he uses when fishing under the light. It does have a small green bead, but I’m not sure if that is what helps. I just know they work good under the hydroglo.
I’m not at home now, but I can post a pic later if anyone is interested.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
FS90 Suzuki
Steelytom,
i use a four foot hydruglow, which will not draw the bait good as a light powered on the generator a high pressure sodium light will work the best, expensive to buy them. for the past 10 years or more i have the best bait attraction with shop lights from home depot or lowes i like the dual wattage 250 or 500 watts i put one on each side nornally i run a 500 on one side and a 250 watt the other side. point them down. i have to tie the on to my rails. works well on deep water. when the herring are thick i normally will get 2 or 3 at a time, the hydroglo will get mostly shad on the hill and hartwell. hopes this will answer your question and some . good luck