Catching a Break
Striper Fishing on a Lake Murray
I’m lucky. I wake up each morning to the sunrise over Lake Murray. Along with the crimson, orange, pink and yellow hues that paint the sky and reflect upon the water, it’s not unusual to look out and find a boat or two of fisherman in those early hours of the day. There are typically one or two men per boat, often slowly weaving in and out of the cove, invisibly guided by the foot pedals of their trolling motors.
Fishing never seemed very exciting to me. Aside from witnessing the sunrise and having a semi-legitimate reason to arrive late to work or skip a morning workout, I believed it almost a waste of time. Only once in several years have I witnessed a fisherman actually catching a fish in front of my house. He was alone, toward the center part of (my little arm of) the lake, his boat not moving a smidge. Suddenly, there was a lot of splashing, a net, and a foot-long, fast-flopping fish. I was so surprised and excited to witness it all that I slammed down my coffee mug, jumped up from the kitchen table, and rushed out on the back deck to give him a standing ovation and a big, “woo hoo!!” After all, what fun is any victory if there’s no one around to share it with?
In spite of the excitement of that particular morning, when my husband told me that he and I were going Striper fishing on the big water of Lake Murray with someone named Bad Brad, I was at best, apprehensive. Aside from the 4am wake up call and 4:15am dog walk in a woodsy neighborhood without streetlights, the idea of being trapped on a boat for several hours with someone named Bad Brad was a bit concerning. Even so, I donned what I deemed proper fishing gear, tossed on the obligatory baseball hat, and arrived at the Hilton boat ramp by 5:30am.
“Bad Brad” Mills was waiting for us in what I later learned was a customized, 2017, 248 Bay Series, Sea Pro boat. With a glowing green light shining down into the water and a purple light illuminating the deck, I was reminded of the glow-in-the-dark posters that hung in my bedroom in junior high school. I boarded and immediately noticed the turquoise blue water of the large bait keeper swirling with live herring, several fishing rods, standing regal and tall behind the captain’s seat, and the practically bedazzled dashboard lights twinkling in the dark. We were the only ones at the dock, and after a brief introduction, we were off.
It took approximately 39 seconds for me to forget the jarring alarm clock, my grizoophobia—and (I admit) nyctophobia filled dog walk, and relish the refreshing, unseasonably cool breeze on my face. We glided out of the cove toward “big water;” the boat seemingly skimming glass. Before the sun even rose, I knew it was a good day.
Bad Brad Mills gets up at 3am every day. When he’s not working at Sea Pro in Whitmire, Brad guides fishing tours anywhere between two and six times a week on Lake Murray. As a United States Coast Guard-licensed fisherman with over 20 years of experience on Lake Murray, his clients come from all over, and most are repeat clients. It’s easy to see why, too. Aside from being quite knowledgeable, Brad’s easy-going nature and hospitality were immediately evident. When he learned we lived on the lake his reaction was, “well why didn’t you tell me? I could have picked you up at your dock.”
The boat was immaculately clean and, at the risk of sounding like a 7th grade boy, it was really, really cool. The 350-horse power Mercury Verado outboard motor caught my husband’s attention. Other features that impressed him included a one of a kind deck that had a front seat removed on the console to allow for a 40-gallon bait tank. The front step and front livewell were removed to allow 2 more feet of floor space. As a layman I noticed the boat’s unique color, which I learned was a one of a kind, platinum with silver metal flakes. (I confess: I like a bit of bling.) Because fishing is his business and his passion, Brad’s boat is a worthwhile investment.
Like many guides, Brad gets up at 3am everyday, and fishes year round. Every year there are at least 20 guides that start the season, but Bad Brad is one of only five or six guides that have continued, year after year on the lake. His motivation resonates from a pure heart:
“I just want everybody to have a really good time, learn how to catch stripers, and do it all in a safe manner.”
As we progressed out to big water, Brad explained why fishing in deep water was necessary (vs fishing off a dock) at this time of year. Stripers stay down around 50 to 70 feet where the water is cool and also has enough oxygen for them to survive. If the fish go down too deep where the water is colder, there isn’t enough oxygen. If they come up too shallow, the temperature is too warm. During the summer, especially in August, Lake Murray’s water stratification can squeeze the fish into a very specific depth zone. It can become dangerous and even deadly for Stripers if the space between the cool water and the thoroughly oxygenated water narrows too much.
It was quiet as the sun started to rise through the clouds. After putting around a bit, looking for the fish in the fishfinder, Bad Brad set the boat’s navigation to stay in its selected location. Within a couple of minutes, no fewer than six fishing rods were baited with herring, propped in their holders, their lines in the water.
Based on what I witnessed from my kitchen table over the years, I expected a lengthy stretch of relaxation and maybe a pseudo-philosophical conversation about the meaning of life. I mean, that’s what the quintessential fishing trip actually is, right? Finding an opportunity for quiet conversation or relishing silence? But within 2 minutes, Brad exclaimed, “You got one! Reel it!” I was shocked to realize that, indeed, he was correct. Already, the line was rushing out, and Brad was looking at me to reel it in.
After a bit of fighting and a lot of reeling, I caught of glimpse of my opponent in the water. It was clear he was uninterested in becoming a passenger on our boat, but Brad (who it now seemed, wasn’t so bad after all) was ready and waiting with a net that scooped that fish up. Thankfully, Brad also unhooked him, too.
Thinking that all the big action of the day was over, I looked to my husband and exclaimed, “Can you believe that?” I was ready to kick back, relax and reminisce about what happened just moments ago. Instead, I heard the sound of another reel behind me, unwinding itself, and Bad Brad perked up. “You got another one, reel it.” Fish after fish, with just minutes between each one, they kept biting. With each catch, my reeling grew faster; and my shock turned to confidence.
As a guide, Brad promises to stay out with his clients all day if necessary, until the maximum number of fish per person (5) has been caught, but within just a few of hours, we hit the max.
As we made our way back to land, I remembered that it was still early in the day. I still had to go to work, albeit a bit late. I still had deadlines to manage. But the 4-hour fishing trip was a miniature vacation. It was a new experience; it was fun, and it was a quick, easy, local trip. My only regret was not bringing my nieces or nephews who would have loved it.
As for the fish, we brought one home for dinner and donated the rest to local families in need.
For most of us, fall is the time when we return to what is often called the grind of real life. Summer and the 3-day weekends that often accompany it become a mere memory. But head out with Bad Brad or another Lake Murray fishing guide, and you’ll discover a perfect, one-day vacation and a new way to enjoy the outdoors. With cooler air temperatures, a bit less boat traffic, and Lake Murray’s many public access points, even those who don’t live on the lake can experience a new mini adventure, and can “pick up”something for dinner at the same time.
For more information about Bad Brad’s Guide Service, call 803-924-2710 or go to facebook.com/badbradsguideservice.
