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The newest Lake Wateree fishing report, updated September 15, can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-lake-wateree-sc-fall-2017-fishing-report/
August 31
Lake Wateree is at 97.6% of full pool, and water temperatures have dropped 7-8 degrees in the last week into the lower 80s.
The results of the most recent CATT Open on Lake Wateree reflect that bass fishing on Lake Wateree is still really tough. The winning boat had less than 14 pounds, and only the top 20% of the field weighed double digits.
FLW angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that he still isn’t finding much of an offshore bite, and running over a ton of places that usually hold fish they could only find bass on a couple of them. And those fish were reluctant to bite. And with the topwater bite tough, the grass bite hard to get going, and the offshore bite non-existent there is little to do besides “fish and hope.” The fish Dearal has found have been in about 8-10 feet around brush, but even those have been few and far between. Throwing a worm has been the best bet.
If you just want to get your line pulled on Lake Wateree the better bet is to go after crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt says that with the cooler weather the bite has picked up. Fish are still mostly in the main lake on brush but they have moved shallower into the 14-18 foot range. Early in the morning they are suspending above the brush, but as the sun comes up they are sinking towards the bottom. In the middle of the day the best bet is fishing 1 ½ – 2 feet off the bottom.
The best part of the lake has been the middle of the lake up to the river run, probably because the shallower water above Colonel Creek has cooled off faster. You can go as far back in the creeks as the bridges but not much beyond that; again, the backs of creeks are too warm. Some fish have been caught around bridges. Both minnows and Fish Stalker jigs in Ugly Green, Army Green, yellow and pearl white are working well.
