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Stripers: Striper fishing is getting better and better with the colder temps. Schooling action is all over the lake right now. Buffalo Creek and Rocky Creek areas seem to be hot right now. Topwaters and bucktails for schooling action. Drifting with down lines and free lines with live herring for midday fish.

Largemouth Bass: This bite is getting better. Bait is starting to move back into the creeks. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, floatin worms all working well right now. Swim jigs pitched around docks is also proven method right now.

Shellcrackers: This is a hot bite right now. Red worms and baby nightcrawlers fished on mini-carolina rigs, or split shot rigs, fish around islands, points and secondary points in five to ten feet of water. The afternoon bite seems to be best right now.

Crappies: This bite will get better with colder water temps. Blacks bridge area seems to be the best right now. Jiggs tipped with minnows or just plain minnows fished around brushpiles and creek runs. Flooded brush in the backs of creeks with bait around should also produce this fish.

Catfish: The day bite for catfish is starting to turn on. Drift fishing with fresh cut bait in water 20 to 40 feet deep working very well. but if you can stand the cold at night, the night bite is still the right bite for bigger size catfish. Anchor down in twenty feet of water around islands, points, humps, and secondary points. Fan cast fresh cut bait around your boat, then sit back and wait for the sound of screaming clickers. The night bite can be fast and furious.

White Perch: Rocky Creek, Buffalo Creek up into the rivers are starting to produce a lot of fish right now. Action can be fast and furious. Spoons work best when the feed is on heavy. Drop shot rigs also work well, spreader rigs with live minnows also work well when the bite slows down. Cold, cold weather will make this bite better and better.

Let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

Thought of the Week: As faithful sowers, we trust God for the harvest.

Stripers: Striper fishing is hot on cloudy, overcast days. Topwater action at its finest. Also trolling Manns Stretch twenty fives, Magnum rattle traps, grandma Lures and Rebel spoonbills is working very well right now. Try drifting with live herring, which is also producing a lot of fish. As usual, there are a lot of little fish being caught right now. Try and use bigger baits to catch the keeper-sized stripers.

Largemouth Bass: Bass fishing should start getting better anytime now. Topwaters early over main lake points and secondary points. Floating worms in the pockets with flooded ocver. Jig N Pigs around boat docks. Midday bite would be considered very tough right now. Carolina rigs deep around points.

Shellcrackers: This is a quality not a quantity bite right now. The ones you catch will be big. Just not that many. Use redworms on a split shot rig or mini carolina rig around flats and humps in shallow water. Ten feet or less. Also, pockets with flooded cover. The afternoon bite seems to be the best right now.

Crappie: Word is the crappie fishing is starting to pick up around Blacks Bridge and the rivers in general. Fish jig and minnow combos around brushpiles in the creek runs. Cooler temperatures will make this bite better.

Catfish: Catfishing is still smoking hot right now. Humps, flats, and points. Anchor down in twenty feet of water and fancast fresh cut baits around your boat.  Lots of great cattin’ action to be had. There is a drift fishing day bite starting to happen. Drift fresh cut bait in 20 to 30 feet of water. Flats and points are the best.

White perch: This bite is coming in fast and furious. From Rocky Creek up into the rivers. White perch are grouping up heavy and are feeidng on threadfin shad. Bottom bumping with spoons can be fast and furious action as I found out yesterday. Drop shot rigs with twister tails are also producing very well. Spreader rigs with live minnows is also a great way to catch them. Remember that white perch are no longer a gamefish here on Lake Murray, so keep as many as you want. They are outstanding catfish bait, great fertilizer for your wife’s flower beds, oh and totally awesome in the frying pan!!

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

Thought for the Week: Gratitude brings ever deepening joy.

The hot bite on the lake this week would be the shellcracker fishing. It’s not a quantity bite, but a quality bite. I experienced this bite over the past few days. Shellcrackers around 10 inches in size are biting really well right now. That’s three-quarters to one pound of fish. (Really a good quality fish, but not in numbers!) This fishing will get a lot better once it starts to cool down. Try fishing in four to eight feet of water around islands, secondary points and pockets with flooded cover. Red worms and baby nightcrawlers fished on split shot rigs or mini carolina rigs is the way to go right now. Also, the midday bite seems to be working well, but only if the wind is blowing. It’s really tough if there is no wind.

We live by faith, not by sight.  2 Corinthians 5:7

Thought for the Week: God’s grace stretches from forever to forever.

Stripers: The striper fishing should be really good this week. Cloudy skies with good chances of rain every day for the next seven days! Schooling activity should be strong. But as we all know, small fish are what everyone is catching right now. Keeper fish are hard to come by. So try casting bigger topwater lures to schooling fish. Also trolling bigger lures is still working well for keeper-sized fished. You can drift live bait for stripers, as well. Set your lines deeper for keeper-size stripers.

Largemouth Bass: This fishing is still pretty fair right now. Topwaters early over secondary points and pockets. Flipping and pitching is strong up in the rivers around trees and flooded cover. Flipping is also good in the main lake around deep water docks with brushpiles under them. Also try carolina riggs around secondary points and shallow humps. Drop shots should work well around deeper cover.

Bream & Shellcrackers: This fishing is good early in the morning and late in the day. Red worms and baby nightcrawlers fished on a mini carolina rig around secondary points, boat docks and pockets with flooded cover should be strong right now. Don’t forget about shallow humps and points off of the Islands. And also move often if you’re not getting bites, every 30 minutes or so, move to another spot.

Catfishing: This is the best bite on the lake right now. And the night bite is the only bite. Why swelter in the sun when you can enjoy the complete peacefulness and serenity at night? And fish all night long with the wonderful sound of bait clickers and screaming reels all night. Oh what a wonderful sound!! Fishing with fresh cut bait is the way to go for nice five to fifteen pound fish. Stink baits, hot dogs, chicken livers, nightcrawlers and red worms work best for small eater size fish. Anchor down in twenty feet of water around humps, secondary points, shulls and flats. Fan cast baits shallow, deep and everywhere in between. If you’ve never night fished for catfish, you are truly missing a great experience on Lake Murray. She is completely different at night. Peaceful is a great word.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.   Psalm 119:105

Thought for the week: From God’s perspective, each day is an opportunity.

Stripers: Some schooling action is starting to happen in the early mornings. Cloudy days are the best. Topwater plugs and jerkbaits should work well for these fish. A lot of small fish are being caught. Try freelines and downlines in 40 to 60 feet of water with live herring or gizzard shad. A few keeper fish can be caught this way but most stripers are undersized. Spence Islands up to the towers seems to be the most productive area right now. The night bite should still remain strong.

Largemouth Bass: Bass fishing should get a lot better with the cooler nights. Topwaters in the early morning. Worms, Lizards and brush hogs for the late morning all day bite. Rocky Creek up to the rivers is the best bite right now. Lots of flooded cover, trees, and bushes and gator grass. Also secondary points that run out close to the creek channels. Cooler days and nights to look forward to!

Bream and Shellcrackers: Crickets, redworms, and baby nightcrawlers fished around deep water boat docks is working well. Also try mini carolina rigs five to fifteen feet deep around secondary points and shallow rising humps. Don’t sit in one spot fo rlong. Move every thirty minutes, cover water. Some points may not produce, while some humps may produce or vice versa.

Catfishing: Catfishing remains strong at night. The night bite is still the right bite. Anchor down in 20 feet of water around points, secondary points and humps. Fresh cut bait is the best such as herring, shad, white perch or bream. Fan cast these baits shallow and deep. Catfishing is the best bite on Lake Murray right now!

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control.  2 Timothy 1:7

Our truest life is when we are in our dreams awake. -Henry David Thoreau

Stripers: Striper fishing is great from the towers to Spence Islands. Drift live bait in 30 to 50 feet of water over deep humps, main lake points and deep river channels. Night fishing with cutbait around deep humps and main lake points also works very well. Cloudy, rainy days, stripers can be caught on topwater baits. Also try jigging spoons around schools of stripers. The night bite is still the best bite!

Bream & Shellcrackers: Try fishing with crickets, redworms, and nightcrawlers around deep boat docks. Also try mini carolina rigs in 8 to 15 feet depth around shallow humps, secondary points and islands. This fishing is really hit and miss. If you’re not getting bites, move every thirty minutes. Cover water until you find fish. Early mornings and late evenings are the best.

Catfishing: Catfishing is great right now. The night bite is the only bite. Fish around shallow humps, points, and islands. Anchor in 15 to 20 feet of water and fancast baits shallow and deep. Fresh cut bait is best, but also trying using stink baits, nightcrawlers, and chicken livers.

It is a wondering thing to be alive! If a person lives to be very old, let him rejoice in every day of life, but let him also remember that eternity is far longer, and that everything down here is futile in comparison.
         

The change in the fishing this week would be the shellcracker fishing – shellcrackers are on fire this week!! Reports are coming in that the shellcrackers are in five feet of water and less. Check around secondary points and pockets with flooded cover. As for bait, try using nightcrawlers, red worms, wigglers and crickets. Nightcrawlers seem to be working best right now. Early mornings and the late evening hours are working very well for shellcrackers. Have a great week everyone.

Be strong and brave, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, because the Lord God, my God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.
 1 Chronicles 28:20

Meditating upon his Word will inevitably bring peace of mind, strength of purpose, and power for living.
          Bill Bright

The fishing on Lake Murray is and will remain a summer pattern. The last fishing report I wrote will be the report until the end of August unless something changes drastically. If something does change, I will type a report about it. Fishing at night or very early in the morning will be the best bet for all species of fish here on Lake Murray.

We all know how much we love to fish here on Lake Murray, so I’m going to post some economic numbers on South Carolina fishermen.

Freshwater fishing is the number one participation sport in South Carolina.

South Carolina residents are more than twice as likely to participate in freshwater fishing compared to the national average.

South Carolina residents fish more than golf and tennis combined.

South Carolina residents fish more than play soccer or basketball.

Thirty-three percent fish to relax.

Twenty-five percent fish as a way to spend time with family.

There are 527,000 resident anglers in South Carolina. Rank is number 21 in the United States.

Days on the water: 10.9 million (Ranked #6)

South Carolina fishermen spend 1.5 Billion (Ranked #8)

South Carolina fishermen support 25,000 jobs. (Ranked #7)

I will post more facts and stats soon, but these stats should show everyone how important fishing is to South Carolina anglers. Especially now in the tough economic times. Fishing is definitely a way to get away from it all and relax. Have a great month of July, everyone!!

So I say to you, keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

Today, think of a specific need that is weighing heavily on your heart.  Then, spend a few quiet moments asking God for his guidance and for his help. God’s help is always available, but it is only given to those who seek it.  -Max Lucado

The word of the past few weeks would be HOT, HOT, HOT!! Summer heat is finally here. Along with afternoon thunderstorms, so your early morning bite and night bite is the best bite.

Stripers: Stripers are deep and pretty much in their summer pattern. The majority of the stripers are being caught in fifty to sixty feet of water over 100 feet of water. Freelines and downlines with live herring is the best bet. Fishing at night with lights will bring the bait and stripers up into the shallow water. Some bigger fish are being caught, but the majority are small. Night fishing and very early mornings is the best way to go.

Largemouth Bass: The early morning topwater bite is going strong right now. Buzzbaits, Sammy’s, PopR’s and tiny torpedos are working great. Also try jerkbaits. Try casting around boat docks, flooded cover, points and secondary points. The night bite for bass should be great also. Black buzzbaits, black crankbaits, ten inch black berkley powerworms should all work very well. Zoom ole monster have always been a proven night bite bait here on Lake Murray.

Bream & Shellcrackers: This fishing is good, early morning being the best time. Fish around points and secondary points in five to fifteen feet of water. Fish on the bottom with mini carolina rigs and light line with a fluorocarbon leader. Use crickets, red worms, wigglers, or nightcrawlers.

Crappie: Crappie fishing is decent. Night fishing with lights over brushpiles is best. Fifteen to twenty feet of water with live minnows. Bridges are also good places to fish. Also, spider rigging with live minnows in the creek channels with brushpiles is also still working well in the early mornings.

White perch: Perch fishing is still good in the big and little Saluda rivers. Drift with perch rigs tipped with minnows. The points in the rivers can be fished with redworms and wigglers on the bottom. Sabaki rigs tipped with worms or minnows also work very well to catch three to six perch at a time. Hook one and just hold the rig. The others get all worked up and will bite the other baits. A great rig for white perch.

Catfish: Catfishing is outstanding right now, with the night bite being the right bite. Points and secondary points in the big creeks are great. Anchor in twenty feet of water and fan cast shallow. And a few out deep. Fresh cut bait such as herring, bream, white perch, and gizzard shad works the best. Other baits such as chicken livers, nightcrawlers, stinkbaits, dip baits and shrimp also work well. Catfishing here on Lake Murray is the best bite on the lake. Nightfishing is the way to go right now to escape the heat. Make sure you are prepared when you go nightfishing, though. Make sure your lights work, and make sure you keep life jackets close by if not on your person. Flashlights close to your body also is a must. Please be safe at night!!

Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. Matthew 24:42

Fear and doubt can be conquered by a faith that rejoices. And faith can rejoice because the promises of God are as certain as God himself.    -Kay Arthur

        Stripers-striper fishing is still good. Cut bait on the bottom around the main lake points and humps seems to be catching the keeper fish. Drift fishing with free lines and down lines also catching fish very well. You can also troll with umbrella rigs and deep diving crank baits for suspending open water stripers.

         Largemouth bass-Early morning topwater bite is still very good. Senkos and yum dingers cast around flooded cover also working well. Shakey head, texas rigs and carolina rigs work for the midday bite.

         Shellcrackers and bream-This bite is really good right now. Try fishing in four to eight feet of water around flooded cover, boat docks and secondary points. Crickets, wigglers, red worms and night crawlers are all working very well.

         Crappie-Fish deep brushpiles around points, boat docks and secondary points with live minnows. Also around bridges. Night fishing is your better bet. Crappie fishing is slow but fish can still be caught.

         White perch-Fish on the bottom with red worms and night crawlers. Twenty feet deep around points and secondary points. You can drift fish with perch rigs in the river section of the lake. Larger schools of perch still seem to be in the big and little saluda rivers. Spoons and drop shot rigs should still produce some perch.

          Catfish-Catfishing is the best bite on the lake right now. Secondary points in the big creeks are really producing alot of catfish right now. Anchor down in twenty feet of water and cast shallow. Shrimp, chicken livers, stink baits, night crawlers and cut bait all work very well for catfish right now. the night bite is the right bite.

          Though you have not seen Christ, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an unexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

                                                  1 Peter 1:8-9