March 12
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 437.03 (full pool is 440.0) and the upper end is muddy but the whole lake should get dirtier after Monday’s rain. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s.
The black bass fishing is rapidly improving on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda is going out on a limb and predicting that by this weekend there should actually be some fish on beds. The next wave will be bigger, but with the full moon coming Friday he feels strongly anglers will see some spawning activity this weekend.
The reason Stan says that is that there are already so many fish shallow in or around spawning pockets, and lots of big largemouth are being caught in these areas. Square-billed crankbaits, Rattle Traps, and spinnerbaits are working, and he’s even seen some fish hitting topwater. Stan honestly doesn’t think a buzzbait bite is far off.
Especially as the lake dirties up you probably can’t fish too shallow right now.
The crappie fishing is also improving on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are going to move even shallower this week if the water warms as expected. They really can’t get any higher in the water column, as he is already finding them just 2-8 feet down. But instead of being out over as deep as 30-40 or more feet, he expects them to mostly be in less than 25 feet and some much, much shallower.
With fish already suspended so high one of the easiest mistakes anglers can make right now is fishing under the fish, and so targeting the top of the water column is key. Casting, long-line trolling, and even fishing a jig or minnow around the banks should all be productive by this weekend.
March 6
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 436.60 (full pool is 440.0) and almost the whole lake is dirty but fishable. Morning surface water temperatures are about 53-54 degrees.
The crappie fishing is improving on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service(864-980-3672) reports that fish are starting to push further back into the creeks as far back as into just 5-10 feet of water. Now there are basically fish from the mouths back to that zone, and they are highly scattered. Water conditions are still too cold for fish to be actually on the banks or spawning, but that should happen next week.
As fish get more aggressive both casting and long-line trolling with jigs (Fish Stalker in Ugly Green) is working well.
The black bass fishing is even further along, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that in the warmer conditions fish are moving into the very backs. Fish are staging in preparation for the spawn, and in addition to hanging just outside of spawning pockets on secondary points and docks some are actually starting to move into spawning areas. #5 Shad Raps, Chatterbaits, jerkbaits, and Rattle Traps will all work for these aggressive fish.
Of course, if bass fishermen have learned anything since the advent of forward-facing-sonar it’s that substantial numbers of fish are usually in open water just swimming around and eating, and a “pick-up tournament” as three MLF pros made their way to Lake Murray proved exactly this point. They caught 5-7 pound fish offshore LiveScoping in 15-20 feet, catching fish that probably would have been uncatchable a few years ago – and at the very least that few people would have been targeting in early spring.
February 27
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 436.23 (full pool is 440.0) and the upper end is muddy while the mid- to lower lake is clearer. Morning surface water temperatures are about 53 degrees.
The crappie fishing has picked up in the warmer conditions, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are on the move. Instead of mostly being parked on the main channel the fish have moved into the mouths of the creeks to about mid-way back, although they mostly remain in 15-30 feet of water. It has not warmed up enough for them to move much shallower, although they are a bit higher in the water column at mostly 5-15 feet down. They are also biting a bit more aggressively, and both casting and long-line trolling with jigs (Fish Stalker in Ugly Green) is working well.
The black bass are even further along, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that warm weather is definitely bringing fish to the bank. Shad are also moving up, and so a lot of the deeper patterns are going away. For now some fish are staging, and a good bet is fishing secondary points and docks adjacent to areas where fish will eventually spawn. There are also plenty of fish in the creeks just chasing bait.
Square-bill crankbaits, Shad Raps, spinnerbaits, and Chatterbaits will all work.
February 19
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 436.57 (full pool is 440.0) and the upper end is muddy while the mid- to lower lake gets progressively clearer as you go down. However, they are pulling water so hard the whole lake could soon be muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are about 48-49 degrees and dropping.
Cold water (deeper) and muddy water (shallower) are pushing the black bass in two different directions, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that you also have to consider seasonal factors. Throwing the biological drive to move towards the banks into the tug-of-water has the net effect that there are a fair number of fish both deep and shallow on Lake Greenwood right now. And even though cold, muddy water is famously bad for fishing, the fish need to eat to prepare for the spawn and so they are continuing to feed.
Around the banks Rattle Traps, shallow-running crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will catch fish, and in the dingier conditions Alabama rigs have also been making a bit of a late winter comeback. With a ton of shad in the creeks some of the best shallow fishing is taking place well off the main lake. Docks, laydowns, stumps and more are holding fish as they often like some type of cover to relate to when they can’t see as well.
But in the cold temperatures there are still plenty of fish, particularly spotted bass, choosing to stay deeper, and casting over brush piles in the 15-22 foot range is one of the best ways to target them. Alabama rigs and jerkbaits are both working well, and of course people are still fishing minnow-type baits on a jighead.
The crappie fishing was strong even after the lake got muddy but before this cold snap, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the fish were actually biting the best on the dirtier upper end of Greenwood in the river channels and creek mouths. Casting or pulling jigs 10-15 feet down in 20-25 feet of water was the best pattern, and Ugly Green Fish Stalker jigs were still working.
However, while he hasn’t been fishing in the last 24 hours Captain Roland has no doubt that the front has negatively affected the fish.
February 12
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 435.10 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s.
Even with up-and-down temperatures the black bass are making seasonal moves on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that particularly with the warmer weather last week the shad have moved up some and bass have gone further into the creeks. Right now he suggests starting in the dead center of pockets in 12-14 feet and fan-casting with Shad Raps, jerkbaits, Rattle Traps, or Alabama rigs until you find the fish. Of course, forward-facing-sonar also offers a cheat code these days.
There are also a decent number of fish around the banks all over the lake in 5-7 feet, and throwing a crankbait for these fish is hard to beat.
Some fish are also being caught around docks on shaky heads and jigs.
By the weekend the water had warmed enough that the crappie had moved up higher in the water column, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports they were catching them just 2-10 feet below the surface. However, after that they went back down and so in sum patterns really haven’t changed much from ten days ago.
He is still finding them in 20-40 feet of water in the main channel and the very front of creeks, and most of the fish are from 5-10 feet off the bottom. Jigs versus minnows doesn’t seem to make much difference, but if you can get either bait right in front of a fish he may eat it.
February 6
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 434.85 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 45-46 degrees. A few creeks are a little stained but mostly the lake is pretty clear.
The water temperatures haven’t really warmed enough to significantly improve the crappie fishing, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are still basically deep and not especially cooperative. He is finding them in 20-40 feet of water in the main channel and the very front of creeks, and most of the fish are from 5-10 feet off the bottom. Jigs versus minnows doesn’t seem to make much difference, but if you can get either bait right in front of a fish he may eat it.
Besides the fact that water temperatures started off so cold, another factor that is keeping the fish from moving up more is the very clear conditions. However, the upper end does have some stain and so – if there is an area where fish are most likely to move shallower – it is up there.
It’s basically a similar story with the black bass, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the predominant pattern right now is still casting a minnow-style bait at schools of fish you can see on forward-facing sonar. Around 20 feet of water has been the most productive range for this type of fishing, both in the creek channels and on the main river channel. Often fish are holding near the ditches that they will head into when it gets warmer, and brush piles are also holding bass. A jerkbait worked very slowly is also working for this style of fishing.
At the same time, bass are less skittish than crappie about moving shallow and so it’s worth throwing a Rattle Trap or crankbait around any rock in main lake pockets and the front sections of creeks. These warm temperatures are likely to start them moving up, and even after the cold comes through Stan doesn’t expect them all to leave. However, they may stop biting until temperatures stabilize.
January 28
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 434.58 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 41 degrees. Up the lake is a little dingy but the lower end is clear.
With 40-degree water temperatures it’s no surprise that it’s a slow bite for black bass on Lake Greenwood, but veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that there are still fish being caught – particularly by anglers willing to fish very slowly. There are a number of decent patterns, and in 6-7 feet there is a fair crankbait bite around rocky points, banks, and channel swings. An Alabama rig is also working pretty well in the same areas as well as around docks and boat ramps, and in 15-18 feet of water a jigging spoon has been catching some fish.
Of course, perhaps the most productive pattern right now is casting a minnow-style bait at schools of fish you can see on forward-facing sonar. Around 20 feet of water has been the most productive range for this type of fishing, both in the creek channels and on the main river channel. Often fish are holding near the ditches that they will head into when it gets warmer, and brush piles are also holding bass. A jerkbait worked very slowly is also working for this style of fishing.
The crappie are in similar patterns but the fishing has slowed, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) points out that when water temperatures briefly hit the upper 30s that should be expected. Fish are mostly in deep water 20-50 feet deep on the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. They are generally 10-40 feet down and to target them you either have to troll or look at them on forward-facing sonar. Sometimes they will take a jig, sometimes minnows, and often neither – but to have a chance you have to get a bait right in front of them. In these conditions minnows may be working a little better than jigs.
January 15
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 434.55 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 47 degrees. Up the lake is a little dirty but the mid-lake on down is fairly clear.
The black bass fishing continues to slow on Lake Greenwood with cooling temperatures, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that honestly the best way to catch fish has been looking at them on LiveScope and throwing minnow-style baits over deep brush or rock on the main lake. The target depth range has generally been 13-20 feet, and fish are close to the bottom or suspended just over it.
Stan has also caught fish jigging main lake points in 15-18 feet of water with a spoon, but this is also a good area to throw a minnow.
Alabama rigs continue not to be as productive as some winters but they are catching a few fish on the A-rig around deeper docks, while shallow cranking has been pretty worthless.
The striped bass action has slowed down as it has gotten cold, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the crappie have also gotten a lot more finicky and difficult to catch. Almost all of the fish have gotten off brush and gone into deep water in 20-50 feet on the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. They are mostly 10-30 feet down and to target them you either have to troll or look at them on forward-facing sonar. Sometimes they will take a jig, sometimes minnows, and often neither – but to have a chance you have to get a bait right in front of them.
January 2
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 435.18 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 48-49 degrees. Up the lake is a little dirty but the mid-lake on down is fairly clear.
The black bass fishing has gotten a little tougher on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that to his great surprise he is having almost no luck throwing an Alabama rig around docks, points, cover, and all the other places where they usually catch them relatively shallow in the winter. There are some big bags being caught looking at fish around bait schools on forward-facing sonar and throwing minnow-style baits at them, and Stan has also picked up a few fish on a jigging spoon.
Another successful pattern is still looking for schooling fish under birds, and at times striped bass, largemouth, and spotted bass will all be together in open water at the mouths of major creeks and on the main channel around birds. Bucktails will work for all of them.
The crappie have pretty well gotten into a winter pattern on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that most of the fish have gotten off brush and gone into deep water in 20-50 feet on the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. They are mostly 10-30 feet down and to target them you either have to troll or look at them on forward-facing sonar. They will take both jigs and minnows – the key is getting a bait in front of them.
December 19
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 436.00 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are down to the lower 50s.
It's a fun time for fishing on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that a lot of that is because the striped bass and black bass can often be found schooling on bait together. They are out over deep water, and often you will find striper, largemouth, and spotted bass at the mouths of major creeks and on the main channel around birds. Bucktails will work for all of them.
To target just bass then fishing Alabama rigs around deeper docks on the main lake and creek channels is tough to beat, but jigs have also been working very well around the same docks this week.
But another mixed bag pattern is just as good for bass as fishing docks, and jigging spoons fished around perch schools have also been working very well. 15-20 feet of water around points, humps, and the edges of the channel are good spots, and you will catch perch, bass, catfish, and more.
The crappie are still in a transition phase on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that some fish are still on brush and structure, but more have moved out into open water. These fish are in the creek and river channels and at the mouths of creeks, and they are mostly suspended 10-20 feet down. While many anglers will be using forward-facing sonar to target them, you can also use traditional methods like long-line trolling to cover water and locate schools of fish. Both jigs and minnows have been working, with jigs generally just as good as minnows. Fish Stalker jigs in Blue Dew continue to be hard to beat.
Next week there will be no new fishing reports with the Christmas holiday, but regular reports will resume after the New Year.
December 12
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 436.66 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s.
It's pretty standard winter black bass fishing on Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that it’s that time of year where you can either catch fish deep or shallow. In clear conditions an increasingly popular pattern is to use minnow baits and forward-facing sonar around points, but the tried-and-true pattern of fishing Alabama rigs around docks on the winter on Greenwood is very hard to beat. Target docks on deeper banks with creek or channel swings.
Jigs on rocky points are also good, and recently there has been a fair jigging spoon bite. Look in 15-20 feet of water off points, the edges of creek channels, and the mouth of creeks where you can find bass in the same areas where you can jerk for perch.
Finally, around shallow rock throwing a flat-sided crankbait or Rattle Trap has been working.
The crappie are still in a transition phase on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that some fish are still on brush and structure, but more have moved out into open water. These fish are in the creek and river channels and at the mouths of creeks, and they are mostly suspended 10-20 feet down. While many anglers will be using forward-facing sonar to target them, you can also use traditional methods like long-line trolling to cover water and locate schools of fish. Both jigs and minnows have been working, with jigs generally just as good as minnows. Fish Stalker jigs in Blue Dew continue to be hard to beat.
December 3
Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 436.82 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s and dropping.
The crappie are getting into a transition phase on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that some fish are still on brush and structure, but others are starting to get out in open water. These fish are in the creek and river channels and at the mouths of creeks, and they are mostly suspended 10-20 feet down. While many anglers will be using forward-facing sonar to target them, you can also use traditional methods like long-line trolling to cover water and locate schools of fish. Both jigs and minnows have been working, with jigs generally just as good as minnows. Fish Stalker jigs in Blue Dew continue to be hard to beat.
It's finally getting to be winter black bass fishing on Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that means Alabama rig time. Jerkbaits, jigs, and small flat-sided crankbaits will also catch fish. Most of the fish are still in 8 feet of water or less, and throughout the winter throwing Alabama rigs around docks in 8-10 feet of water is a productive pattern. Fish will be in whatever areas the bait is found, but with temperatures dropping so fast Stan finds that many fish are already turning around from the creeks and heading back to the big water.
One other productive pattern that is just starting is the jigging spoon bite, and in 15-20 feet of water off points, the edges of creek channels, and the mouth of creeks you can find bass in the same areas where you can jerk for perch.
November 20
Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 437.74 (full pool is 440.0) and lake has cleared substantially. Morning surface water temperatures are down to the mid-60s.
It’s been another outstanding week for crappie fishing on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that sizes and numbers have both been good. He is still fishing structure on the main lake in 15-30 feet of water, and fish are generally suspended about 10-15 feet down. He isn’t even messing with minnows right now and Fish Stalker jigs in Blue Dew have been the ticket.
It will probably be next year before fish move into the creeks, but when water temperatures hit 55-58 degrees they will pull off brush and head into open water. That normally happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but things are running a little behind this year. Of course, a hard cold snap could quickly change that.
Once again veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that with the cold not yet having arrived patterns for black bass are about the same, but there’s almost no doubt that really is about to change. Soon fish will head further into the backs following shad, and Alabama rigs will all of a sudden become extremely productive on Lake Greenwood. Crankbaits should continue to be good.
Especially with the population of spotted bass now in the lake docks should continue to hold large numbers of fish.
November 13
Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 438.21 (full pool is 440.0) and lake is clearing, with the lower end still a little dingy. Morning surface water temperatures are still around 70 degrees.
The weather in the next couple of days should finally change this, but so far this fall veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that Lake Greenwood has stubbornly refused to cool and as a result the black bass still haven’t changed patterns very much. However, as water temperatures begin to dip more fish should head into the very backs of the creeks where they will take lipless crankbaits and #5 Shad Raps.
For now the best places to look have been rocky secondary points and docks, and fish have been eating buzzbaits, shaky heads, and jigs. They are in the main runs of creeks and also pockets off the main lake, following the bait.
The patterns still haven’t changed too much but the crappie fishing has been strong again this week on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that they have had some very good trips recently. He is still fishing structure on the main lake in 15-30 feet of water, and fish are generally suspended about 10-15 feet down. They want jigs right now.
October 30
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.02 (full pool is 440.0) and lake is clearing, first on the upper end. Morning surface water temperatures are around 72 degrees.
With mild to warm to hot temperatures the black bass fishing hasn’t progressed as far into fall patterns as might be expected on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that fish still haven’t gotten as far into the creeks as they have in other years. Anglers just need to continue monitoring the bait, and for now continue to start at the front of creeks and work back.
Fish can still be caught in main lake pockets and on points with a buzzbait, especially in the dingier water. Jigs have also been fishing very well recently, and square-billed crankbaits have been good around bait.
Finally, Stan notes that soon Alabama rigs will be king on Lake Greenwood.
The patterns haven’t changed too much but the crappie fishing has been strong this week on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that they have had some very good trips recently. He is still fishing structure on the main lake in 15-30 feet of water, and fish are generally suspended about 10-15 feet down. They want jigs right now.
Because it cleaned up faster he has been concentrating on the mid- to upper lake, but now the lower lake is becoming fishable too.
October 16
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.97 (full pool is 440.0) and the lower lake is muddy with less than 6 inches of visibility while the upper lake is clearing. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 70s.
It’s a weird dynamic on Lake Greenwood right now where the upper lake is clearer than the lower lake (as the muddy water gets sucked down), and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that as a result the better black bass fishing is further up the lake right now. He advises working towards the back of creeks in the middle and upper lake until you find shad and fishing shallow, as both bait and bass want to be there. Rattle Traps, square-billed crankbaits, and spinnerbaits will all catch fish, and you might be able to get a bite with a Whopper Plopper or buzzbait in some of the cleaner areas. There are also some fish being caught around docks with jigs and shaky heads.
The crappie fishing has basically returned to normal this week on Lake Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the they are back on main lake brush from one end of the lake to the other. Depths may be a little thrown off by water color between the lake ends being the reverse of normal, but generally brush in 15-30 feet of water is the best place to look.
Chartreuse jigs and minnows are both working again.
October 10
Lake Greenwood water levels are very high at 439.03 (full pool is 440.0) and the whole lake is muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s.
Veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda has some pretty blunt advice for bass fishermen, and that’s not to go to Lake Greenwood right now. The whole lake is a mud hole at the moment, with muddy water pouring out of the dam, and there are just better places to fish. The bass were already shallow before the storm and they will almost certainly have moved even shallower, and if you have to target them you should use something like a spinnerbait, chatterbait or red crankbait and throw it in the dirt.
But the lake should settle out soon and then it will be worth fishing again.
October 2
Lake Greenwood water levels are very high at 439.06 (full pool is 440.0) and the whole lake is muddy.
Greenwood is unfortunately another lake where we don’t have in-person reports from our captains and experts this week, and people in the region are just relieved to either be getting power back or to know that they should in the near future.
It’s not much of a mystery what the bass will be doing, though, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda expects that the whole lake will be muddy, and fish shallow, for a while.
There will also be a tremendous amount of current for some time, as they are sucking the water through to keep the lake below full.
Fishing updates to follow as soon as we have them!