The Largemouth Bass on Lake Murray have transitioned into their fall patterns, schooling on Herring, shad and feeding on crayfish and bluegill in the upper section of the lake, and schooling on herring, shad and feeding on white perch on the lower section of the lake. Fishing has picked up as the water level continues to drop for the yearly drawdown. Over the coming weeks, as the days continue to get shorter and as the water continues to cool down, look for Largemouth Bass to continue to shift toward deeper banks and ditches on the upper end of the lake, and position deeper around docks with brush and points on the lower end of the lake. Fishing techniques for Largemouth Bass will differ depending on which end of the lake you are fishing. Look for Largemouth lake-wide to be positioned on main lake points and humps, as well as becoming more active in the creeks and in the river.
On the upper reaches (from Dreher Island upriver) of the lake where the water has more color, look for fish to be shallower, especially around areas of shade. Lures of choice are the Ima Shaker, Greenfish 1/2oz flipping Jigs in Green Pumpkin; 1/4oz swim jigs in Green Pumpkin or Black/blue; Greenfish Michael Murphy Signature High Class Spinnerbaits; Soft Plastics or Finesse worms, creature baits, tubes and beaver type baits, such as the Reins Punchin’ Predator, Craw Tube, the C-pod, Paddle Tail Worm and Swamp Mover in a natural or green pumpkin color. Look for areas with a hard bottom and visible cover in the form of laydowns or docks. Target moving baits during cloudy or windy conditions, switching to areas of shade around laydowns, docks, and overhanging trees as the day gets brighter. Focus on slower techniques in the same areas when fish are not as aggressive at times with lack of wind and abundant sunlight.
On the lower end of the lake (from Dreher Island to the Dam), focus on deeper docks with brush and points adjacent to deep water with a jig, shakey head, jigging spoon, or drop shot. Drop shot or shakey head worms of choice is the Reins Bubbling Shaker in a Green Pumpkin or Margarita Mutilator. During conditions with wind, focus on suspending and moving baits like the IMA Flit or Ima Pinjack 200. Look for fish to be positioned on primary points or humps closer to the mouths of spawning pockets. This time of year on the lower end of the lake, boat positioning can be key, with the boat positioned over water as deep as 30-40 feet, casting toward the point. Using a LakeMaster chip in your graph and setting the shaded depth on your Humminbird (Press Menu twice, under Chart), to 30 feet, can be extremely helpful in locating ideal humps and points. Also important is the wind. Follow the wind from day to day, fishing points that have the most direct wind blowing on them, paying attention to the wind can be the difference between a successful day and a difficult one this time of year.
Over the next month bass will continue to transition into their wintering areas, feeding on crayfish and shad in the river and targeting white perch, shad and blueback herring on the lower end of the lake. In the river and in the backs of creeks and coves, where resident fish are more prevalent, fish could be as shallow as a couple of feet. On the Lower end of the lake, where Bass are set up slightly deeper, look for them to be positioned on deeper docks and main lake points and humps in 25-35 feet adjacent to spawning coves.
A great way to get out, enjoy the outdoors, and do a little fishing is to book a trip with one of the Lake Murray area guides. I am a certified Fisheries Biologist, United States Coast Guard Approved, full-time Largemouth Bass guide, have fished full-time and competitively for the past 12 years across the country on both the BASS and FLW trails, and have a lifetime of fishing experience. I offer a learning experience on multiple techniques of your choice, tournament preparation, and/or electronics education. I would love to share my knowledge with you on the water and enjoy a day of fishing.
Michael Murphy
USCG Approved
Merchant Mariner Licensed
Phone: 803-567-5263
www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com
