by Michael Murphy
Although still cold, the water temperatures on Lake Murray will begin to warm by the end of February. Fish will begin to move from their winter patterns into their pre-spawn patterns, and the lake level will continue to rise to full pool, bringing the fish closer to the banks and into the shallows. Focus should be on the main flow areas of the lake, around the mouths of creek arms and on both primary and secondary points, as well as steep banks, focusing on rock and hard-bottom areas.
On the upper reaches of the lake, from Dreher Island up river, and in the backs of main lake coves, where the water has more color, look for fish to be positioned in the last deep water and starting to show up on shoreline cover, such as laydowns, docks and rocky banks. This can be relative to the area and can be the last deep bank of a creek channel bend that is 3 to 6 feet with a 2-foot flat surrounding it, or it can be the end of a point that drops into a ditch or creek channel in front of a spawning bay. Typically, fish will be holding relatively close to deep water, 10 feet or more, and starting to position even shallower by the end of the month. Techniques of choice include slower techniques using crayfish and shad mimicking baits. Good lures to try are spinnerbaits, flat-sided crankbaits, jigs, soft plastics creature baits, tubes and beaver type baits, and finesse worms in a natural or green pumpkin color. Target moving baits in cloudy or windy conditions, and switch to slower moving baits as the day gets brighter and less windy. Be sure to key on areas with rock or a hard bottom, as well as docks built on black floats.
On the lower end of the lake, from Dreher Island to the dam, focus on slower moving bottom baits, such as a jig, shakey head, or a dropshot in a watermelon or green pumpkin color, especially during times with little to no wind. However, during windy conditions, try suspending and moving baits like the IMA Flit and Ima Pinjack 200 on points, jigging spoons on the sides and ends of points, and swimbaits around docks by the end of the month. Key areas are those holding blueback herring shallower and white perch deeper. Be sure to focus on the sides of flatter points with hard bottoms where there may be a drop or an ambush area. These points are typically marked with a hazard marker buoy warning boaters.
In February, fish begin to venture into their pre-spawn. This is a great month to catch fish in predictable areas, as they can be easy to pattern with good electronics. Bass will be in the backs of creeks and pockets, holding on the last deep water areas around rocks and docks, and will also set up well in deeper 25- to 40-foot areas off of points toward the end of the month. Up the river and in the backs of creeks and coves, where resident fish are more prevalent, fish could still be as shallow as a couple feet, as long as there is a creek channel or deep water nearby. Be sure to focus on areas with bait and hard bottom areas, as well as North shore banks that get the most sunlight. Down the lake, where they are set up deep, bass will be feeding on blueback herring, white perch or crayfish and will typically be positioned on long tapering points adjacent to spawning coves. This time of year is a great time to utilize your electronics and spend time idling looking for key sweet spots in the form of rock or brush piles.
A great way to get instruction on electronics, 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, have fished fulltime and competitively for over eight years across the country on both the BASS and FLW trails, and have a lifetime of fishing experience. I am knowledgeable on multiple techniques and would love to share my expertise with you on the water and enjoy a day of fishing.
Michael Murphy
www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com
Michael@MichaelMurphyFishing.com
