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Casey Ashley says blueback herring have changed bass fishing in South Carolina lakes.

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<p>  </p> <p> Blueback herring are primarily found in saltwater, but because they can live in both fresh- and saltwater, they have made a second home in the lakes around Casey Ashley’s hometown.</p>
 

Blueback herring are primarily found in saltwater, but because they can live in both fresh- and saltwater, they have made a second home in the lakes around Casey Ashley’s hometown.

<p> 27-year-old Ashley brings in a 15-pound, 5-ounce bag on Day Four of the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash to take the trophy in his home state of South Carolina.</p>
27-year-old Ashley brings in a 15-pound, 5-ounce bag on Day Four of the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash to take the trophy in his home state of South Carolina.
<p> Ashley says blueback herring are the preferred baitfish year-round on Lake Murray and other lakes in the area. To imitate herring, he prefers a double Zoom Fluke rig, tied fairly close together.</p>
Ashley says blueback herring are the preferred baitfish year-round on Lake Murray and other lakes in the area. To imitate herring, he prefers a double Zoom Fluke rig, tied fairly close together.
<p> He primarily used the Pearl white Super Fluke on Lake Murray during the Carolina Clash, but says disco green imitates the color of a blueback herring best.</p>
He primarily used the Pearl white Super Fluke on Lake Murray during the Carolina Clash, but says disco green imitates the color of a blueback herring best.
<p> Bass can be targeted in extremely shallow water while feeding on spawning herring, as was the case in May on Lake Murray when Ashley won</p>
Bass can be targeted in extremely shallow water while feeding on spawning herring, as was the case in May on Lake Murray when Ashley won
<p> However, Ashley says that the blueback herring effect has created a summertime bite that is topwater all the time.</p>
However, Ashley says that the blueback herring effect has created a summertime bite that is topwater all the time.
<p> Ashley asserts that after the spawn, herring "suspend" in deep water, only getting to a certain depth. </p>
Ashley asserts that after the spawn, herring “suspend” in deep water, only getting to a certain depth. 
<p> Ashley says this is the herring's saltwater behavior, and when bass are on the lookout for herring, they're always looking up.</p>
Ashley says this is the herring’s saltwater behavior, and when bass are on the lookout for herring, they’re always looking up.
<p> Casey Ashley grew up fishing "herring lakes," but when he was younger, the herring populations were not as established as they are now.</p>
Casey Ashley grew up fishing “herring lakes,” but when he was younger, the herring populations were not as established as they are now.
<p> As the herring population grew, Ashley began to focus on them, bringing him obvious success.</p>
As the herring population grew, Ashley began to focus on them, bringing him obvious success.
<p> The win on Lake Murray marked Ashley's second Elite Series win, and helped him to finish seventh in AOY points.</p>
The win on Lake Murray marked Ashley’s second Elite Series win, and helped him to finish seventh in AOY points.

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