Fishing Report (Updated 1.15.2012)

Lake Murray is at 355.5.

Catfish: Good. Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the drift bite has been good and both blues and channel catfish have been feeding well.  The best action has been in 40-55 feet of water, whether that depth is on a flat, a hump rising out of deeper water, or up a feeder creek in that range.  Channels have been the bulk of the catch on flats, with blue catfish orienting to ledges near the flats and on the main river channel.  A few channel catfish have been caught in 15-25 feet, but not many.  Cut herring bas been the best bait, and a lot of striper are also being picked up. 

Striped Bass: Good.  Reports indicate that the best concentrations of fish have moved up the rivers, and because of unseasonably warm weather the fish are dispersed with some scattered out on the flats.  Anglers are looking for schooling fish and throwing at them with spoons and bucktails, and they are also trolling free lined live herring.  Fish can be as shallow as the very backs or out in deeper water, and the best bet for locating them remains to watch the birds. 

Crappie: Fair to good.  Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that there are two major patterns for catching crappie right now.  One is a traditional winter tight-lining pattern up the Big and Little Saluda rivers, pulling minnows and jigs 8-12 feet deep in 15-20 feet of water.  The other pattern is fishing around bridges and deeper docks with jigs.  For this pattern fish from the bottom to the top to locate the depth where crappie are feeding. 

Largemouth Bass: Fair. Veteran bass angler Doug Lown reports that the fishing is a little spotty.  Because of a mild winter fish can be found both deep and shallow, and it is not uncommon to see bass up to about 3 pounds laying in the shallows – particularly in short pockets off the main lake and around rocky points.  However, the better fish seem to be out in deeper 15-18 foot water on the main lake, as bait has generally moved out of the backs and the creeks.  Jigs, shakey head worms and crankbaits are catching fish, and the best bite for better fish has been the first two hours in the morning. 

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