April 3

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and the lake is fairly clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 65 degrees. 

Water temperatures are in the mid-60s on Lake Wylie, dogwoods are blooming, and the crappie are spawning.  The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that if you want to catch crappie shallow, now is the time. Cast jigs or minnows under corks down the bank in protected spawning coves, especially those with woody structure in shallow water. 

Of course, you can also still catch lots of fish long-lining jigs in the back of creeks. Basically it’s a matter of just fishing how you want to in the creeks right now! 

The catfish bite in shallow water is also excellent right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that all over the lake blue catfish are moving around and feeding heavily. They are catching lots of fish in the 8-15 pound range right now, with a few in the low 30s. Most cut baits are effective right now, and flatheads are also starting to turn on. 

Captain Chris is on a similar pattern, and he reports that as catfish make their spring run up the South Fork and Catawba rivers to spawn in May and June the best bet is to anchor where there is current and fan cast cut shad or perch in 10-15 feet of water around points or underwater structure (for blues and channels). If you want to target a flathead, then just change your bait to live bluegill or white perch. 

If there is no current then drifting 10-15 feet on the main river flats adjacent to the river channel with cut bait will catch fish. Gizzard shad or white perch are often the best cut bait in the spring. 

The black bass fishing is very good on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in the last week or so the spawn has completely broken out on Lake Wylie. Fish are starting to bed heavily, and there are also tons of aggressive pre-spawn fish moving around in the shallows. 

Targeting wood or hard targets with moving baits like Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, Rattle Traps, or even topwater lures will generate bites for aggressive pre-spawn fish, while soft plastics will catch pre-spawn fish and bedding fish.  It’s hard to go wrong fishing a wacky rig around docks or going down the banks with a floating worm right now. 
Overall Reid estimates about half the fish are pre-spawn and half are actively bedding. 

March 27

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and the lake has mostly cleared up. Morning surface water temperatures are around 58-60 degrees.   

The black bass fishing has been strong on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that (even though most of the catches are probably coming during daylight) the weights in the night tournaments have been very good. There have been 22- and 23-pound bags winning, always impressive and especially on Wylie.

Most of the fish are in pre-spawn mode, with some fish getting very close to spawning and perhaps some fish are already on beds. Accordingly the best pattern right now is fishing around shallow cover where fish are feeding up, and in and around spawning pockets. Jigs and shaky heads are both working very well around docks, and wacky-rigged worms are fishing well in pockets. In dirtier water you can fish a spinnerbait.

While Reid hasn’t personally seen or heard of an offshore pattern, between the advent of LiveScope and the proliferation of spotted bass on Wylie there is almost certain to be one as not all the bass do the same thing at once. 

The crappie progression has taken a big step forward this week on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that even though his boat is still mostly long-lining jigs in the back of creeks, primarily fishing 12-16 feet down in 20-25 feet of water, there are also starting to be males on shallow cover in less than 10 feet of water.  These fish are turning black as the spawn approaches and they will take both jigs and minnows cast near the banks at laydowns, docks and more.  

The catfish bite is still good to very good, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are finding good pre-spawn action in 4-10 feet of water but also still catching fish on deep water ledges. All cut baits are working to include perch, river herring, and gizzard shad. Fish are mostly running from 6-17 pounds, with occasional fish in the low 20s. The fishing has been very good in the northernmost sections of Lake Wylie to include both river arms, the Catawba and South Fork.

March 20

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and water clarity varies. The water is clear above the South Fork on the main channel while some creeks are stained. Morning surface water temperatures are around 60, but they can be higher in shallow, stained water. 

After getting very slow for a few days the Lake Wylie crappie fishing has picked up again, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that as fish are moving further back into the creeks his primary technique has changed. Now he is mostly long-lining jigs in the back of creeks, and his primary depth is fishing 12-16 feet down in 20-25 feet of water.

Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) concurs that fish are on the move, but for him the most consistent action is still fishing deep with 2-hook minnow rigs. He is also catching some fish long-lining with 1/8 ounce jigheads tipped with live bait, and in the afternoon they are even catching some fish casting to brush in 3-6 feet. This pattern will get stronger and for now you really have to work at it. 

The catfish bite is good to very good, and Captain Rodger reports that they are finding good pre-spawn action in 4-10 feet of water but also still catching fish on deep water ledges. All cut baits are working to include perch, river herring, and gizzard shad. Fish are mostly running from 6-17 pounds, with occasional fish in the low 20s. The fishing has been very good in the northernmost sections of Lake Wylie to include both river arms, the Catawba and South Fork.

Black bass report to follow.

March 13

Lake Wylie is at 97.1% of full pool and up the river is dingy, while at least the lower half of the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 54 degrees. 

It’s worth remembering that “fishermen move before the fish do”, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that this week with the crappie is a prime example of that. Even though air temperatures have risen, the fish are still relatively deep in 25-30 feet of water staging up in preparation for the spawn in the next 3-4 weeks. They are scattered from the mouth to mid-creek right now, and most of them are almost flat on the bottom. You can catch them long-line trolling with jigs or spider-rigging minnows right now.  Anglers who aren’t catching fish are usually fishing over them. 

As the water temperatures jump up to 60 in the next week long-lining will be the best way to catch staging crappie in the creeks, but the water needs to get and stay there for a few days before they really start moving up shallower. 

On the catfish front, Captain Chris reports that the upper half is picking up for cats as they start migrating up-river to spawn. The water being dingy in that region also has the catfish on a tear. The best option in this area is to anchor on long sloping points or medium-depth flats next to the river channel and cast cut shad or perch along the flat and ledges going down to the channel. Fan-cast multiple rods to cover 5-20 feet and give each spot 45-60 minutes. If no takers move on and repeat.

Of course, there are still lots of fish that have not moved in the clearer water towards the dam, and in this area drifting mid-creek in 25-30 feet of water under the big schools of shad is very effective. Captain Chris had one of his best days this year fishing this way Tuesday, catching four over 25 pounds and another dozen between 12 and 25!

With water temperatures climbing the black bass fishing is picking up fast, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that more and more fish are moving into shallow water each day. For a week or two they have been catching some random big fish on spinnerbaits in shallow water, but more and more waves are starting to stage in places leading to areas where they will eventually spawn. You can still find fish grouped up around bait and even boiling on the surface, but this is now more likely to take place in shallower water and particularly pockets. You can also still catch fish on Alabama rigs around docks, but again these docks are likely to be further back. 

While it’s not quite to the stage where you can just go down the bank with a shaky head and catch lots of good fish, there are now plenty of buck bass around many docks and particularly deeper channel docks. 

March 5

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and the lower third of the lake remains dingy, while the rest is clear as of today – but with an inch of rain this morning that will change. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 50-52 degrees in the morning. 

The black bass fishing has dramatically improved with the warmer temperatures than about ten days ago, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in the CATT tournament there were 20-, 18- and 16-pound bags. Additionally, most people were catching fish even if not big ones. 

It seems as if the biggest bags are still being caught out deep LiveScoping, and there are also some better females staged up in mid-depths of 10-15 feet around secondary points and drops. But the biggest numbers of fish are grouped in 5-10 feet around windblown banks and points. While you can catch them on crankbaits, Alabama rigs are hard to beat. 

The clearer water continues to fish much better than the dirty, and Reid has no idea why no one seems to be having much success throwing a Chatterbait, spinnerbait or crankbait in the mud. 

The Lake Wylie crappie and white perch continue to move, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he is still catching some in creek mouths while others push further back into the creeks. The fish he is catching are now mostly in 20-30 feet of water, with some suspended in about the middle of the water column and others on the bottom. Multiple minnow rigs are still working the best but once water temperatures stay in about the mid-50s then long-line trolling will be strong. 

Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that he is still finding the best action on a similar pattern with double minnow rigs. 

On the catfish front, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that he still rates the bite as good to very good. The afternoon bite in 6-15 feet of water has been very good. The key is anchoring shallow and then fan-casting baits both deep and shallow in the major creeks. 

Again, Captain Chris concurs that catfish are moving into the major creeks – but he is still doing some drifting. In the clearer water in 20-30 feet of water he is catching fish on Santee rigs, especially around drops. However, in the muddy water he is exclusively anchoring in about 4-20 feet.  

February 27

Lake Wylie is at 96.8% of full pool and most of the lake remains stained to muddy, although above the South Fork – Catawba confluence the water is clearing as the dirty water works its way down the lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 49-53 degrees.   

The Lake Wylie crappie are on the move, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he is catching some in creek mouths and others pushing back towards mid-creek. The fish he is catching are still mostly in about 25-30 feet of water, and the fish in deeper water are closer to the bottom while the shallower fish are more likely to be suspended. Multiple minnow rigs are still working the best. 

Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) concurs that crappie have mostly left the main channel, and he is finding the best action about 15-23 feet down in 34-36 feet of water. Again, minnows are the key. 

Falling water levels have cooled the catfish bite a little on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that he still rates it good to very good. The afternoon bite in 6-15 feet of water has been very good. The key is anchoring shallow and then fan-casting baits both deep and shallow in the major creeks. 

Again, Captain Chris concurs that catfish are moving into the major creeks – but he is still doing some drifting. In the clearer water in 20-30 feet of water he is catching fish on Santee rigs, especially around drops. However, in the muddy water he is exclusively anchoring in about 4-20 feet.  

Finally, in black bass news, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that he isn’t quite sure what to report. In the CBC this weekend there was such an incredible number of boats fishing a relatively small, fishable section of the lake that about 60 boats did not weigh in a fish. The top boats were apparently fishing Alabama rigs and casting at fish they were looking at on LiveScope, and the shallow bite with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Chatterbaits was nowhere near as good as predicted. The clearest creeks fished the best.

Between dramatically increased temperatures (Reid saw 44 first thing last weekend) and changing water conditions expect the fish to be in different patterns this weekend, and there could be a lot more fish moving up. 

February 19

Lake Wylie is at 98.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures on the main channel range from 45-46 degrees while in the creeks they range from about 48-50.  About 75% of the lake is red muddy and the rest is at least stained.   

As the lake has turned muddy a shallow catfish bite has turned on, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that yesterday he found an excellent bite in just 3-6 feet of water with cut bait. The fish were around sunlit banks in major creeks in the afternoon, and the average blue cat ran between 8 and 16 pounds. Keep your eyes open for bird activity because it will signal where the fish are feeding.

But as usual there is also a deeper catfish bite, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he is having the best success drifting cut shad in 20-30 feet of water. The fish are really keying on the big schools of threadfin shad right now, and so if you can find big bait schools can catch blues, channels, and occasional flatheads. Shad is working the best but any cut bait, including perch, will catch fish.

In the muddiest water anchoring on long sloping points and fan-casting baits from 4-20 feet is the is the best pattern. 

The muddy water has also affected the crappie, and Captain Chris reports that the better fishing is now in clearer, shallower water. While he is still locating schools of crappie in muddy water, they are much more scattered and less likely to feed. Note the images below first from dirty water where they marked scattered crappie but couldn’t catch a fish and then slightly dingy water where they caught 50 crappie and white perch that were grouped up much tighter just off the bottom.   

25-35 feet is now the depth of choice, and spider-rigging with multiple minnows remains the best pattern. 

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Finally, in black bass news, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that before the lake got muddy they were absolutely smashing the fish on an Alabama rig. However, when the lake basically went up 3 ½ feet and got so stained (with debris including logs, trees, and actual trash like beer cans floating everywhere) the bite changed. The offshore bite got much slower, and the most catchable fish were in shallower water where they would take crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Chatterbaits. As water levels stabilize Reid is optimistic for a good bite around the banks this weekend. 

February 12

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures on the main channel range from about 51-52 degrees. 

It’s been an outstanding winter for crappie fishing on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that water temperatures got so cold that all the shad had to move to very deep water to survive – and the crappie went with them.  These tight schools made for outstanding fishing.  

But as temperatures bump up on warmer days he is just beginning to see signs of the big schools breaking up and the fish moving up 12-15 feet off the bottom in the water column and suspending.  For now fish are still in the very deep creeks runs and staged up at the mouths in 25-35 feet of water, and the best way to catch them is spider-rigging with multiple minnow rigs. However, once water temperatures hit and stay above about 52 degrees then the best pattern will be long-line trolling jigs.  

There is another population of crappie that that is on the main lake, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that he continues to find excellent action fishing the main river channel. Trolling minnows is still the ticket, and they are now concentrating on 35-50 feet of water on the edge of the river channel as well as in it. But the same forces will bring up these schools as temperatures rise. 

Another changing bite is with the black bass, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that with this rain and influx of fresh water he is expecting the lake to rise and the rivers to muddy up. This should trigger a shallow bite, and he expects fish to be on all the shallow main lake places where current is flowing past and something is providing the bass a current break. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits should all catch fish. 

Of course there will still be many fish out in deeper water, either in open water or off points and other depth changes, chasing bait. These fish will be caught on Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, and minnow-type baits by anglers looking at them on forward-facing sonar. However, if the lake really does dirty up then plenty of fish should move towards the banks – especially with the time of year giving them an urge to get shallower. 

Finally, on the catfish front Captain Rodger reports that the major creek bite continues to be good. Anchoring up in the creeks and presenting cut bait on vertical drops in 22-32 feet of water has been his best pattern. For him drifting his been slower, perhaps owing to the colder temperatures. Rodger points out that anglers need to be flexible, and if fishing deep is not working he will move shallower – and look for bait, birds, and other signals of where feeding fish can be found. As a general rule he starts deeper and then moves shallower in the afternoon.

Captain Chris is still drifting for catfish on the main lake, and finding big blues in 45-50 feet in the old river channel. 

February 6

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures on the main channel range from about 46-48 degrees. 

It’s still a little absurd how strong the crappie (and white perch) bite on Lake Wylie is, and how big the schools are, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the water temperatures have’t changed enough to scatter them. Still, with water temperatures approaching 50 degrees it won’t be too long before they start moving. 

The bigger fish are in very deep creeks runs and staged up at the mouths in 25-30 feet of water.  The best way to catch them is spider-rigging with multiple minnow rigs, and since fish are schooled up in specific spots it’s best to use electronics to locate schools of threadfin shad and fish before getting started.  

There is another population of crappie that that is on the main lake, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that he continues to find excellent action fishing the main river channel. Trolling minnows is still the ticket, and they are now concentrating on 35-50 feet of water on the edge of the river channel as well as in it. 

While patterns remain similar, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that black bass weights have dropped a little in recent tournaments. Perhaps the big shad kill a couple of weeks ago got the fish going but now they aren’t as hungry, but regardless instead of 20 pounds it has taken about 13-16 to win recent tournaments. 

As with the crappie water temperatures got so cold that bass aren’t quick to move out of their winter patterns despite a few warm days, and the main patterns are still basically fishing over super deep water or fishing closer to the bottom around depth changes in the 8-15 foot range. Most anglers are pretty dependent on forward-facing sonar right now, and Alabama rigs, jerkbaits, and minnow-type baits on a jighead are all working. 

With all that said, by this weekend there should be some bass starting to move into staging places or even exploring the shallows. It’s worth searching with something like a glide bait, and casting a crankbait around the banks could generate some bites. However, with the cold front coming that shouldn’t last much past the weekend. 

Finally, on the catfish front Captain Rodger reports that the major creek bite continues to be good. Anchoring up in the creeks and presenting cut bait on vertical drops in 22-32 feet of water has been his best pattern. For him drifting his been slower, perhaps owing to the colder temperatures. Rodger points out that anglers need to be flexible, and if fishing deep is not working he will move shallower – and look for bait, birds, and other signals of where feeding fish can be found. As a general rule he starts deeper and then moves shallower in the afternoon.

Captain Chris is still drifting for catfish on the main lake, and yesterday he caught some big blues in 45-50 feet in the old river channel. 

January 29

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures range from about 42-43 degrees. 

Water temperatures on Lake Wylie have gotten as cold as they have gotten in years, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that temperatures in the low 40s have caused a shad kill on the lake. Perhaps related to that the fishing has been really good, and in one tournament this weekend 21 pounds won followed by bags in the 18- or 19-pound range. In a tournament out of North Carolina 18 pounds didn’t even get a check.

There isn’t much of a shallow bite to speak of, and the two patterns are fishing super deep or fishing depth changes in the 8-15 foot range. Alabama rigs and jerkbaits are both working very well, and with so many fish in open water it’s a prime time for looking at fish on forward-facing sonar. 

The cold temperatures have also been a boon for the crappie and white perch, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that very low temperatures have fished bunched up very tight. Last year water temperatures never even got below 50 and so no true winter pattern ever emerged, but this year fish are completely locked into winter patterns. 

The bigger fish have migrated out of the creeks (unless they have very deep water) and staged up at the mouths in 25-30 feet of water. The best way to catch them is spider-rigging with double minnow rigs, and since fish are schooled up in specific spots it’s best to use electronics to locate schools of threadfin shad and fish before getting started.  

There is another population of crappie that have headed into the main lake, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that this week he has found excellent action fishing the main river channel. Trolling minnows is still the ticket, and they are now concentrating on 36-49 feet of water on the edge of the river channel as well as in it. 

On the catfish front, Captain Rodger reports that the major creek bite continues to be good in spite of the cold water. Anchoring up in the creeks and presenting cut bait on vertical drops in 22-32 feet of water has been his best pattern, with fish generally running from 3-14 pounds but occasional larger fish in the 20s. For him drifting his been slower, perhaps owing to the colder temperatures. Rodger points out that anglers need to be flexible, and if fishing deep is not working he will move shallower – and look for bait, birds, and other signals of where feeding fish can be found. As a general rule he starts deeper and then moves shallower in the afternoon.

Captain Chris is drifting for catfish on the main lake, and he notes that main lake fish are mostly in the lower third of the lake. Drifting the old river channel in 50-60 feet is the best way to target them. 

There are big schools of shad holding in deep water, and he is generally trying to target these areas. 

January 15

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and the main lake is green/ slightly turbid, clearing more as you get further down. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-40s.

Despite cold weather and (perhaps relatedly) low turnout in recent black bass tournaments on Lake Wylie, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the weights have been pretty impressive and – whether in the tournaments where LiveScope is allowed or not – the winning weights have been 17-20 pounds every weekend. With cold conditions anglers might not expect to catch much around the banks, but shallow cranking has been a fairly consistent way to catch a few fish. You can also catch some on jigs around shallow rock. However, without some luck those shallow patterns probably top at around 12-13 pounds for a 5-fish limit right now.

The best pattern has been throwing an Alabama rig around channel points in 8-20 feet of water and nearby docks. There are also plenty of fish being caught using forward facing sonar in open water and throwing minnow-style baits, jerkbaits, and swimbaits at fish following bait schools in the channels. 

The crappie and white perch remain in pretty stable patterns according to the Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols(704-860-7951), who reports that the bigger fish have migrated out of the creeks (unless they have very deep water) and staged up at the mouths in 25-30 feet of water. The best way to catch them is spider-rigging with double minnow rigs, and since fish are schooled up in specific spots it’s best to use electronics to locate schools of threadfin shad and fish before getting started.  

But there is another population of crappie that have headed into the main lake, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that this week he has found excellent action fishing the main river channel. Trolling minnows is still the ticket, and they are now concentrating on 36-49 feet of water on the edge of the river channel as well as in it. Both the cleaner lower lake and the dirtier mid-lake are producing. 

On the catfish front, Captain Rodger reports that the major creek bite continues to be good in spite of the cold water. Anchoring up in the creeks and presenting cut bait on vertical drops in 22-32 feet of water has been his best pattern, with fish generally running from 3-14 pounds but occasional larger fish in the 20s. For him drifting his been slower, perhaps owing to the colder temperatures. Rodger points out that anglers need to be flexible, and if fishing deep is not working he will move shallower – and look for bait, birds, and other signals of where feeding fish can be found. As a general rule he starts deeper and then moves shallower in the afternoon.

Captain Chris is also drifting for catfish on the main lake, and he notes that this group of fish is in the lower third of the lake migrating towards the dam for their winter home. Drifting the old river channel in 50-60 feet is the best way to target them. 

There are big schools of shad holding in deep water, and so in both the creeks and main lake deeper is often better. 

January 9

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and the main lake is green/ slightly turbid. Morning surface water temperatures are about 48 degrees on the main channel. 

The crappie bite continues to be excellent for anglers willing to brave the cold, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that this week he has found the best action fishing the main river channel. Spider-rigging with minnows is still the ticket, but now they are concentrating on 36-45 feet of water on the edge of the river channel as well as in it. The best depth has been the low 40s. 

On the last trip they also managed to pick up several jumbo white perch and a lone, small blue catfish. 

January 2

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and the creek shallows are slightly dirty while the main channel is clear. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 46-52 degrees. 

The fish on Lake Wylie are now in winter mode, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the crappie and white perch are in pretty stable patterns right now.  The bigger fish have migrated out of the creeks and staged up at the mouths in 25-30 feet of water. The best way to catch them is spider-rigging with double minnow rigs, and since fish are schooled up in specific spots it’s best to use electronics to locate schools of threadfin shad and fish before getting started.  

At the same time, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that another group of crappie is on deep brush in 27-32 feet of water in the creeks, or even in the middle of the channel in 32-35 feet. Spider-rigging with minnows is also the best way to catch them. 

He notes there also some big perch still in the creeks, but most of them are small and you really have to work through them to find the ½ to ¾ pound fish.   

The catfish are also in stable winter patterns, and for Captain Rodger how he fishes is all about the wind. On calm days he prefers to anchor up in the creeks and present cut bait on vertical drops in 22-32 feet of water. These fish are generally running from 3-14 pounds, with occasional larger fish in the 20s. 

When there is wind he finds the drift bite better on the main channel.

Meanwhile Captain Chris is pretty much drifting all the time, and he notes that the bigger fish are scattered from mid-creek to the mouths and he will drift baits like shad or white perch for them in 25-30 feet of water. The number of bites goes down with this technique in the cold, but the quality is generally solid with lots of 10-25 pounders. 

He will also be drifting for the same main lake fish as Rodger, and notes that these fish are in the lower third of the lake migrating towards the dam for their winter home. Drifting the old river channel in 50-60 feet is the best way to target them. 

There are big schools of shad holding in deep water, and so in both the creeks and main lake deeper is often better. 

Overall black bass patterns remain similar on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that using LiveScope in the middle of the creeks and on the main lake in 20 plus feet of water and throwing swimbaits and jerkbaits at fish following bait schools is still consistent. However, Reid also notes that the Alabama rig bite has gotten really, really good, and a reliable source caught forty-five plus fish throwing it around channel points in 8-20 feet of water a couple of days ago.