In the month of September, water temperatures begin 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 shorten, and fish begin venturing back into the shallows. This time of year, 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 pick up 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. In this area, slower techniques and topwaters will be good choices. Lures to try will be top-water frogs, prop bait, like a Deps buzzjet or Ima HeliPs, buzzbaits and poppers, as well as Jigs, Soft Plastics or Finesse worms, such as the Reins Swamp Mover, creature baits, tubes and beaver type baits, like the new 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 at times with 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 in a chrome herring or blueback herring color, wakebaits like an IMA Bone Floating Flit, swimbaits like the Optimum BLT, Optimum Opti Shad, and Sebile Magic Swimmer, and soft jerkbaits, like the Optimum Victory tail in a shad, ghost shad or chrome, especially if there is wind. Look for flatter primary points where fish will be suspended over 15 to 20 feet. In less than ideal situations, with lack of wind and when the fish do not seem as aggressive, slow down in these same areas with a jig, shaky head, finesse worm, dropshot or Carolina-rigged creature bait in a watermelon or green pumpkin color. Be sure to key on the ends of flatter points with a hard bottom as well as the sides of these flat points where there may be a drop or an ambush area. You may be offshore as much as two cast lengths off the bank. Points with these characteristics are typically marked with a hazard marker buoy.
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 six inches, so 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. Be sure to focus on open water long tapering points, and when you find them, they should be grouped up and ready to bite. Be sure to have an open mind, several lure options on your boat deck and be willing to cover water.
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, 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 offer a learning experience on multiple techniques of your choice and would love to share my knowledge with you on the water and enjoy a day of fishing.
Michael Murphy
www.MichaelMurphyFishing.com
Michael@MichaelMurphyFishing.com
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