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Lakes & Reservoirs

Lake Murray Fishing Guide

South Carolina

A big reservoir near Columbia famous for spring herring spawn bass fishing and stripers.

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to Lake Murray for largemouth bass, striped bass and crappie. The best months overall are Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov. In October, largemouth bass and striped bass are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Bass Jig and Spinnerbait are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Ned's Better Bait & Tackle in Lexington, 5 mi away. Santee Cooper Lakes is 72 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.

Best Months

Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov

In October

Largemouth Bass, Striped Bass

Methods

Spin, cast & bait

Season at a Glance

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What You'll Catch

Lake Murray Species

Largemouth Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Jan to Apr, Oct to Nov

Striped Bass

Prime Now
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Best: Apr to Jun, Sep to Nov

Crappie

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Best: Nov to Mar

Plan by Month

What to Use

Month
Fish

11 picks for October. ● means in season that month.

  • Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Topwater · Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass · Surface blitzes.

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  • Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Largemouth Bass

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  • Bass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Largemouth Bass

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  • Spinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.

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  • Bladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz

    Lure

    Moving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.

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  • Squarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Lipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz

    Lure

    Crankbait · Largemouth Bass

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  • Paddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in

    Lure

    Soft Plastic · Striped Bass

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  • Crappie Jig 1/32 to 1/8 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Crappie

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  • Bucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz

    Lure

    Jig · Striped Bass

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  • Live Minnows 1 to 3 in

    Bait

    Live Bait · Crappie, Striped Bass, Largemouth Bass · Under a slip float.

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Rod & Reel

Recommended Setups

Largemouth Bass

Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.

Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.

Striped Bass

Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.

Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.

Crappie

Fly 8.5 ft 4 wt rod, floating line, small jig flies and minnow patterns.

Spin / Cast 10 to 12 ft jigging pole or 6 ft ultralight spinning rod, 4 to 6 lb hi-vis line.

Matched to These Species

Gear for Lake Murray

Crankbaits

Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap

The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.

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Line

PowerPro Spectra Braided Line

Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.

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Panfish Lures

Bobby Garland Baby Shad Crappie Jigs

A go-to crappie plastic on a light jighead, under a float or vertical.

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Reels

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.

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Topwater

Heddon Zara Spook

The walk-the-dog topwater that works in fresh and salt.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo

Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.

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Rod & Reel Combos

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Combo

Light enough to feel crappie bites and cast small spinners for trout.

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Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod

A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.

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Within 45 Miles

Shops Near Lake Murray

Make It a Trip

Nearby Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · South Carolina · 72 mi

Santee Cooper Lakes

Lakes Marion and Moultrie, known for trophy blue catfish and landlocked stripers.

Blue Catfish · Striped Bass · Crappie