Lake Murray September Fishing Report
In the month of September, the water temperatures start to cool off by the end of the month as afternoon pop-up storms and hurricane season tropical fronts become more frequent. The length of day continues to get shorter, and fish begin venturing back into the shallows. The suspended fish will become much more visible chasing bait and schooling during the day. Fishing success, on top-water and surface baits fished on the lower end of the lake, will start to increase as fish will suspend off of points closer to the surface in the 15- to 20-foot range. Shallow patterns will also begin to pick up and become more prevalent where bluegill spawns have been taking place over the prior months.
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 shallower hanging in areas where there has been bluegill spawning activity. Choice techniques will be slower techniques and topwaters. Good lures to use will be top-water frogs, prop bait, like the Ima HeliPs, poppers and a Greenfish buzzbait, as well as Jigs, Soft Plastics or Finesse worms, such as the Reins Swamp Mover, creature baits, tubes and beaver type baits, like the Reins Craw Tube, in a natural or green pumpkin color. Target top-water techniques early in the morning, switching to areas of shade around laydowns, docks and overhanging trees as the day gets brighter. Focus on slower techniques in the same areas if the fish do not seem very aggressive or if there is a lack of wind and abundant sunlight.
On the lower end of the lake, from Dreher Island to the dam, focus on walking topwaters, like the IMA Skimmer, and soft jerkbaits, like the Optimum victory Tail in a chrome or sexy shad color. Look for flatter primary points where fish will be suspended over 15 to 20 feet, fish topwaters and the Optimum Victory Tail, in the mornings or during the day if it’s windy or cloudy, slowing down as the day progresses, the wind dies down or it becomes brighter with the lack of cloud cover. Slow down with a jig, shaky head or dropshot. Drop shot of choice is a Reins Bubbling Shaker in green pumpkin or a Margarita Mutilator. Be sure to key on the ends of flatter points with a hard bottom. You may be off shore as many as two cast lengths off the bank. Points with these characteristics are typically marked with a hazard buoy. This time of year, on the lower end of the lake, boat positioning can be key, so you may have to position your boat over water as deep as 25 to 35 feet while you cast toward the point. Use a Navionics chip in your graph and set the shaded depth on your Humminbird (press Menu twice, under Chart) to 20 feet, which will be extremely helpful in locating ideal humps and points. Wind is key, as well. 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.
The month of September is when the bass start to venture out of their summer-time patterns and toward the shallows. Much of this progression can be easily followed by identifying the bait in the given area. Fishing success will increase throughout the month as fish continue to group up. In the river and in the backs of creeks and coves, where resident fish are more prevalent, fish could be as shallow as 6 inches. Be sure to focus on areas with shade. Down the lake where bass are feeding on blueback herring, they could be as deep as 20 to 25 feet. Focus on open water long tapering points. When you find them, they should be grouped up and ready to bite. Have several lure options on your boat deck, be willing to cover water, and keep an open mind.
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, a fulltime largemouth bass guide, have fished fulltime and competitively for the past 10 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, as well as 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
(770) 605-6373
www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com
Michael@MichaelMurphyFishing.com