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Lake Murray Report (Smallmouth Pic Included) #11675841 06/19/16 06:19 AM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,645
D
District Paddle Offline OP
Extreme Angler
OP Offline
Extreme Angler
D
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,645
Hello all.

It's been a good while since I have posted up a report, so I thought I would go ahead and put something together from my recent trip up to Lake Murray (Thursday and Friday).

I got there at about 5 on Thursday afternoon and quickly set up camp. I wasn't there to relax and sit around drinking beer, I was there to slay some smallmouth. I hit the water and got to work.

I focused on the lower end of the lake, and started off targeting some of the rocky cliffs (shady side). This was my first trip to Murray, but it didn't take me very long to figure out that the lake is LOADED with sunfish (green sunfish to be specific). They were all over my soft plastics, and I was actually landing quite a few of these little guys with a dropshot. This didn't bother me at all, as I frequently target them anyway.

They were pecking away at the senkos too, which almost got annoying. I finally hooked into a few spots and largemouth, and as the sun went down, I started throwing a Zara Spook. Had a few misses and connected a few times, but nothing big, and no smallmouth to speak of. I paddled back to camp in the darkness, already contemplating adjustments.

I slept under the moon in the open, on a cot. I'd like to be romantic and say that I normally do this, but I opted for tent-free camping in order to save time, and mainly, because it was HOT.

I was back on the water at 5 in the morning on Friday with a few new baits tied on. Based on my first outing, I was fairly certain that the smallies had gone deeper for the summer. On Murray, they certainly have the option. It gets deep, fast.

I started with the spook on points, and also started throwing a jig with a crawfish trailer. I noticed a few short spurts of surface activity, and connected almost ever time with a Spook. Again, no smallies, just sandbass. As I expected, it wasn't until I backed off on the points that I started connecting with smallmouth on the jig. Anywhere from 10 to 20 feet.

I also expected that this wouldn't last long, and I was right. I caught a handful of smallies during that first hour or so, and as the sun made its way over the horizon, the smallmouth were gone.

I caught a few more largemouth and sunfish before I decided that it was time to go home and play with my son in the water sprinkler. Smallmouth are fun, but not as much fun as that (and of course, it's a good way to cool off).

Hope everyone is doing well. If you haven't been up to Lake Murray, you should put it on the list. Expect very clear, beautiful water. Ultra clear water can be tough, so plan on downsizing everything, and use fluorocarbon if possible (water clarity was at least 10 feet).


Re: Lake Murray Report (Smallmouth Pic Included) [Re: District Paddle] #11676010 06/19/16 01:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,106
L
Ledeez Offline
Extreme Angler
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Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,106
Nice read and thanks for sharing! Best smallie lake I have ever been to with super clear water is lame sharpe in sd! Biggest smallie ever


Teamgetsome$$$
Re: Lake Murray Report (Smallmouth Pic Included) [Re: District Paddle] #11676557 06/19/16 08:30 PM
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521
banker-always fishing Offline
Pumpkin Head
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 75,521
Nice post. cheers


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Re: Lake Murray Report (Smallmouth Pic Included) [Re: District Paddle] #11676600 06/19/16 09:01 PM
Joined: Jun 2002
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H
HERROUTDOORS Offline
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,560
Great read and very nice smallie.

Re: Lake Murray Report (Smallmouth Pic Included) [Re: District Paddle] #11676805 06/19/16 11:38 PM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
B
bert Offline
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Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,180
Dean, there used to be some grass off the big island that was on a rock pile that I could still catch them with jigs on the shady side once the sun came up. Also frogs over the top if the vedge is close to the surface and cranks/spinnerbaits off the edges early.

Right around here 3402'57.5"N 9704'22.3"W.

There is also a bluff that is south of the marina almost due east of that island you can drop shot that in the morning as well and have a chance at some walleye and bigger smallmouth.

Also try swimming a tube on main lake points on a mojo rig or tube jig early and you can pull some good fish.


Bert

"Ipsa scientia potestas est"-Knowledge in itself is power - Sir Francis Bacon

"Beware the lolipop of mediocrity, one lick and you could suck forever" - unknown author
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