Borderline11 Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 Hey guys, was hoping for a little advice. A friend of mine is getting married in the near future and I'm trying to help setup a bachelor party for the first weekend of March (I know, quick turnaround). He's more of the outdoorsman type like myself, and I don't think he'd enjoy the strippers/vegas scene as much as some. We're from PA and we're working with a limited budget for a few of the guys, so we can't do anything too crazy. I was thinking of renting a house in the Carolina's on a lake, probably a boat as well. Any recommendations or previous experiences would be much appreciated! I've heard Lake Jocassee is awesome (not sure about the bass fishing) and would be a great spot for a little man retreat. I'd like to stay down in the Carolinas to try to get away from the cold a bit. If driveable, even better. Any spots in North Carolina where we could get off of the grid and hook into some decent fish? (Again, budget needs to be reasonable, so King Fisher while a dream, would probably be unlikely). Thanks! Bryan Quote
sbfishySC Posted January 22, 2013 Posted January 22, 2013 I only know SC, so here's my $.02 for what it's worth. Jocassee is a beautiful lake. I live right around Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee, and of the three, Jocassee is the best, scenic-wise, in my personal opinion. There are not many houses on Jocassee because a majority of the land is owned by Duke Power I think (could be mistaken on that) so finding a house to rent on the lake might be difficult. Next best in the upstate SC area would be Keowee. Clear water lake, just like Jocassee it's used for Duke Power and has a Nuclear Power Plant on it, so the water stays somewhat warm (it's around 60 right now, 70 at the power plant discharge). Also a very scenic lake with some incredible houses on it. Not sure about rentals though. Fishing-wise, I haven't fished Jocassee much, but I know it used to be THE premiere fishing lake in South Carolina. It has since gone down a bit due to there being hardly any structure. It's a big trout fishing lake these days, as well as smallmouth, with some largemouth too. Keowee can be a really good lake to fish, if you know how to fish clear water. It's known for it's Spotted bass and largemouth. Around the first of march, that should be prime fishing time on the lakes up here. Hartwell is my 3rd choice for an upstate SC lake. It's right around Clemson University so it has a lot of recreational stuff going on as well as a lot of fishing. But the area is still great. Hope that helps with a tiny bit of insight on the upstate SC lakes. Quote
Super User Teal Posted January 22, 2013 Super User Posted January 22, 2013 lake Gaston NC/VA. Beautiful lake. There are multiple opportunities for house rental and bboat rentals. Located on the NC/VA border. Heres a couple sites that should help. http://www.lakegastonguide.com/ http://www.vacationonlakegaston.com Quote
bowfish12 Posted January 24, 2013 Posted January 24, 2013 I went on a charter out of Destin, Fl. last year for mine. Between the room (2 nights) and the charter (6 hr trip) it ran about $400 each for 7 of us (including gas to get there and back). This was in June but they still fish in March, and it's a change up from your typical fishing. This was a private charter, not a party boat and was well worth it. If you might be interested I can give you the captain's number. Quote
Borderline11 Posted January 28, 2013 Author Posted January 28, 2013 Thanks for all of the advice guys! This has almost become frustrating - there's just too many choices. Jocassse, Keowee and Toxaway look like they would be amazing but a 12 hr drive seems like a bit much for a long weekend. I was able to find an incredible rental property on Lake James that would fit us all pretty comfortably. Have any of you fished the lake? Any insights? What's your approach? I know that there seems to be a solid mix of LM and SM, but is it a quantity vs quality lake? Is it an artificials lake, shiners, etc? I really appreciate the help guys! Quote
Super User buzzed bait Posted January 28, 2013 Super User Posted January 28, 2013 I was going to suggest Lake James. Scenery couldn't be any better! NC mountains and foothills all around. It is some of the deepest, clearest mountain water you'll find in the South. As far as places to stay I can't help you much, my mom lives close by in Morganton, NC so I've always stayed with her. Smallmouth and largemouth on Lake James so you can fish whatever you'd like. Whatever you do stay away from Lake Norman!! Lake Toxaway is nice, but further ride way up in the mountains. Good luck and let us know how it goes.... Quote
Borderline11 Posted January 29, 2013 Author Posted January 29, 2013 Also...any of you fish or hear anything about Lake Fontana? Quote
Super User Sam Posted January 30, 2013 Super User Posted January 30, 2013 http://kingfishersociety.com/fishing.html Quote
Super User Gatorbassman Posted January 30, 2013 Super User Posted January 30, 2013 http://kingfishersociety.com/fishing.html Sam, He said he was on a budget. If you can afford it then it's the best fishing experience you will ever have. It's located just north of the South Carolina, North Carolina state line. The average bass is 5lbs and the average bluegill is 1 1/2lbs. The bass in my profile pic is and average bass on that lake. Everything is 5 star and you will be treated like royalty but you pay of that treatment. Quote
aharris Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 whew...$600/day to fish? That's kinda pricey. Quote
aharris Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 How bout you can come to Lake Murray, stay in my buddies lake house, we'll take yall out and catch as many 4-10lb stripers you can catch. haha Quote
Super User Teal Posted February 1, 2013 Super User Posted February 1, 2013 How bout you can come to Lake Murray, stay in my buddies lake house, we'll take yall out and catch as many 4-10lb stripers you can catch. haha I dont know about that guy, but im down that way 2 or 3 times a year working. Ill def, take you up on the fishing offer the next time im down there. (Company gets our hotels) I love lake murray. "Theres some fish in that hole" lol Quote
aharris Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 haha...let me know. The striper are schooling right now and hitting anything you throw in there. Quote
Super User Teal Posted February 1, 2013 Super User Posted February 1, 2013 Sure will. It will be at least June before im down there again a the but thanks for the. heads up. Guys up here have been doing well with the stripers too. These 40mph gusts have kept me off the water. Quote
Hyrule Bass Posted February 1, 2013 Posted February 1, 2013 not north carolina, but you should check out Smith Mountain Lake too, its located in southwest Virginia. Its a beautiful lake with plenty of fishing opportunities. There are largemouth, smallmouth, and stripped bass in there. And on rare occasion, you have the chance for a white bass, musky, or walleye. There is also some big crappie and yellow perch in there. The white perch seem to finally be getting some size too as ive caught bigger and bigger ones over the last few years, but i here its because of them that the once strong white bass population is now suffering... Quote
Super User Teal Posted February 1, 2013 Super User Posted February 1, 2013 Yeah, i go up there twice a year on planned fishing trips and up there several times a year with work. (I travel to alot of lakes between GA and PA because i work with aquatic vegetation and lake management) Very familiar with SML. I also like fishing Leesville Res when there isnt a billion trees,logs,limbs, trash and other debris floating down the river. Quote
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