Hey man I grew up about 45 minutes from there in a little farm town called Bishopville SC.
Lake Murray is an awesome place to fish for stripers. Used to be a real popular place to catch 40 and 50 lbers but there's been a lot of pressure there over the last few years. I guess striper fishin's really starting to get hot in SC as a lot of the places I grew up fishin' for 'em have been thinned out. But don't get me wrong, there's still a many a big striper in that lake, as well as the Saluda River below the dam on Lake Murray.
If you're going though you need to get in touch with a place called Lake World. Call 411 and tell 'em Lexington SC and ask for the # to Lake World. Absolutely the best place on the lake to get lively fresh caught herring, which is what you need if you're gonna fish for the stripers. Also best place on the lake for fishing reports. The guys who own and run the place are real nice guys that are friendly and willing to give up info. Lake Murray is also eat up with huge largemouths. In fact I believe the BASS Masters has it on their circuit.
I've fished it at least a hundred times so I know the lake pretty well and I can get you any place you wanna go, but the best place to put in is right by the dam on the Irmo side. It's on Hwy 6. Lake World is on the exact opposite side of the dam, also on Hwy 6, on the Lexington side. It's real easy to get to from anywhere in TN. Take 40 to Asheville then head S on I-26 all the way through Spartanburg SC. 30 Miles outside of Spatanburg, still on 26 the interstate will wrap around to your left and head due South. I mention this because if you're not paying attention when this happens, you'll wind up in Greenville SC, 45 miles out of the way. Anyway head down 26 'til you get to Lake Murray Blvd exit, something like Exit 108 or so, then just follow the signs to Hwy 6(N Lake Dr), take a left and you'll go right across the top of the dam. There's a state owned landing right before you cross over the dam on your right. Best place to put in. Lake World is right across the dam on your right. They'll be open before you even get outta bed, trust me. If they don't have herring they'll tell you where to get some.
If you're going thru Georgia, hit I-20 E and go to HWY 378 exit towards Lexington, not West Columbia. Go 378 thru Lexington and turn RT on Hwy 6(N Lake DR), it'll run you right across the dam, only this time Lake World will be on your left and then the dam, then the landing. If you put in at that landing go straight across the lake keeping the dam on your left and head toward the big towers out in the lake, can't miss 'em. Anywhere around those towers look for schools of shad on the graph mixed in with the stripers. Use live herring, Carolina rigged w/ 1 or 2 oz sinker trolled super slow thru the schools. Or just head into coves before the sun comes up and wait for 'em to start bustin' the surface at daybreak. Use topwater lures or 6 to 7" Rebel swim baits.
Man do I miss the place but I got Watt's Bar now!! Please let me know how you do!!
