April 3

Santee Cooper water levels are at 76.03 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around full in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are roughly 63-67 degrees and the lower lake is relatively clear while the upper lake remains stained to dirty in places. 

It continues to be one of the best springs for striped bass at the top of the lake in several years, and Captain Woods Pack with Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that most of the fish being caught are over 26 inches and so once anglers get their one big one they are throwing most of them back.  Lots of 10-15 pound fish are being caught, and anglers are also slowly filling out their limits. The river bite is still much faster than on the flats, and the best pattern is fishing the shallow side of the river beside the willow trees with cut river herring. Target from the bank out to about 20 feet. 

While we haven’t heard great reports in the canal for a few days, Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that he is still finding a very good bite in the lower lake for both striped bass and catfish. He is fishing live bait for both. Yesterday the striped bass came at 55 feet while the catfish were in 45 feet. The striper are almost certainly ocean-run fish that will eventually move up the lake before returning to the sea. 

At the same time Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there are still catfish being caught all over the lake at different depths, and he is still fishing in 4-10 feet of water with cut river herring. This week he has found a better bite anchoring than drifting, and almost every fish he catches is between 10 and 15 pounds. 

Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) is also fishing shallow for catfish, fan-casting a lot of rods into shallow flats that are fed by a deeper channel or ditch that fish will use as a highway. However, there have been some off-days and overall the fish seem to be moving around a good bit. This week he has actually had the most consistent success fishing either side of the diversion canal with cut bait in about 10 feet of water. 

With water temperatures in the mid-60s the crappie spawn is at its peak on Santee, and Captain Joe reports that there are lots of fish in shallow trees spawning – but there are also plenty of small wolf packs still roaming the creeks.  These can be targeted long-line trolling or looking at them on electronics and casting at them with jigs. 

Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) continues to find it a challenging crappie season, but he is hopeful that when they return to brush the fish will group up better. 

On his boat the bright spot for panfish has been that the bream fishing is still really good in 12-20 feet over brush in both lakes with crickets and worms. 

Finally, Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that a massive wave of black basshas moved up and so the percentage of fish that are still pre-spawn has dropped significantly this week. Large numbers of fish are still very aggressive and shallow, and they are in 1-5 feet of water around grass, trees, and in protected pockets. Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, topwater lures, worms, and shallow-running crankbaits will work especially for pre-spawn fish, while for fish on beds you often need to slow down and work soft plastics. 

Check out this 7-pound post-spawn fish caught by Brian Stamps as Stevie English looked on this week. 

March 27

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.97 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.40 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 61 degrees and the lower lake is relatively clear while the upper lake remains stained to muddy in places. 

While the striped bass fishing hasn’t been quite as on fire this week at the top of the lakes, Captain Stevie Pack with Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that the bite is still very good and most boats are still getting at least one or two good fish and typically limits. That probably has more to do with weather than anything, although the spawning run always goes in waves. 

The river bite is still much faster than on the flats, for striped bass, while catfish are actually doing better in the slower moving water on the flats. The best pattern is fishing the shallow side of the river beside the willow trees with cut river herring. Target from the bank out to about 20 feet. 

At the same time Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) reports that the action in the canal has been a little slower this week, and he blames most of it on water conditions. Dirty water has hurt the bite at times, and then the current has been on-and-off. It’s better when the current is flowing. 

The pattern is still the same, and he is mainly fishing down-rods with live bait. How deep they fish depends on the current, and if it is really running then they will fish 15 or so feet deep closer to the bank. In calmer conditions they will fish 20 or more feet. Cut bait on the bottom also works really well for striper.

There are still some really good fish picked up, like this 32-pounder caught on live bait in the canal with Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) yesterday!

At the mouth of the canal on the Moultrie side you can also throw bucktails around the rocks, and if you get there early they will take topwater baits.

There are also Cooper River fish coming up into Lake Moultrie, but conditions have been so windy they have been almost impossible to target. If the wind changes directions or slows down then fish will be caught suspended about halfway down in about 50 feet of water near the dam.

The catfish bite hasn’t changed very much, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there are still catfish being caught all over the lake at different depths. He is still drifting in 4-10 feet of water with cut river herring, while Captain Joe continues to find fish bunch in deep water in the creeks at 40-50 feet – but agrees there are plenty shallow.   

And then Captain Bobby is still anchoring in 5-10 feet and targeting deeper depressions or canals feeding a flat that fish will use like a highway. He then fan-casts 10 rods with gizzard shad to cover the depression and then areas where fish could come up out of it to roam and feed, expecting the best bite early and late.

Overall, it seems you can catch catfish about any way you want right now.

It continues to be a slower than usual spring for typical crappie patterns on Santee, and Captain Joe reports that a lot of fish are cruising in wolf packs of 5-10 fish in the creeks waiting for temperatures to get where they want them to hit the banks. They are pretty hard to target without forward-facing sonar, and long-lining hasn’t been that productive. Certainly some fish have already spawned and some are on the banks, but in many areas temperatures have not hit quite where they want them. 

While Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) continues to struggle to find crappie either on shallower brush piles or on the banks, the bream fishing is still really good. They are catching fish about 10 feet down over brush in 20 feet of water in both lakes. Likewise, Captain Joe is targeting pre-spawn bluegill and shellcracker that have already moved shallower around grass beds with worms and crickets. 

Finally, Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that a few black bass have spawned, a few are spawning right now, but the vast majority are still pre-spawn. Weather patterns have dragged out the spawning season this month, and the result is basically a boon for fishermen. Pre-spawn fish are very aggressive and shallow, and they are in 1-5 feet of water around grass and trees. Spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and worms are all working. 

March 20

Santee Cooper water levels are at 76.16 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.34 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 61 degrees and the lower lake is clear while the upper lake is stained to muddy in places. 

While the weights were a little down with the black bass in the CBC last weekend on Santee, with bags “merely” in the high 20s (but an incredible depth of 20-pound plus bags), Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that was probably mostly due to the long fog delay. Additionally, fish are also moving into the flats and spreading out. 

Overall bass are at a bunch of different stages of the spawn, with lots on beds but also many fish still pre-spawn (and some post-spawn). Basically the best pattern is to fish in less than five feet of water around grass, trees or stumps. You can basically throw whatever you want, from reactions to baits to Texas rigs to topwater lures. 

It’s that magical time of year on Santee!

March 19

Santee Cooper water levels are at 76.14 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.33 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees and the lower lake is clear while the upper lake is stained to muddy in places. 

Once again the report with the striped bass is pretty fantastic, and at the top of Marion Captain Andy Pack with Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that the bite is still on fire. They are catching lots of 10-15 pound fish this week, and it’s clear that the fish are making their way up the river very fast. They are moving so fast you have to keep your eye on your line as fish will just pick up the bait and continue to zip up-river.  You can also tell they are moving fast because despite the muddy water they are still bright-colored, meaning they’ve gone a long way quickly.  

The river bite is still much faster than on the flats, and the best pattern is fishing the shallow side of the river beside the willow trees with cut river herring. Target from the bank out to about 20 feet. 

At the same time Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) reports that the canal bite has also broken wide open, and he is mainly fishing down-rods with live bait. How deep they fish depends on the current, and if it is really running then they will fish 15 or so feet deep closer to the bank. In calmer conditions they will fish 20 or more feet. Cut bait on the bottom also works really well for striper.

At the mouth of the canal on the Moultrie side you can also throw bucktails around the rocks, and if you get there early they will take topwater baits.

There are also Cooper River fish coming up into Lake Moultrie, but conditions have been so windy they have been almost impossible to target.  If the wind changes directions or slows down then fish will be caught suspended about halfway down in about 50 feet of water near the dam.

Catfish patterns are all over the place on Santee, and Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that he has been catching channels and blues up to 18 pounds shallow in just 5-6 feet of water. But he’s also found a good bite in 45 feet drifting the hills for fish that are eating shad. 

That’s exactly consistent with the report from Captain Bobby, who is still anchoring in 5-10 feet and targeting deeper depressions or canals feeding a flat that fish will use like a highway. He then fan-casts 10 rods with gizzard shad to cover the depression and then areas where fish could come up out of it to roam and feed, expecting the best bite early and late.

But this weekend in a tournament he realized that the biggest fish might be a little deeper, and while they are catching lots of 10-20 pound fish with occasional cats up to 25 or 30 they aren’t getting any monsters.    

Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is also fishing the shallows but drifting in four to ten feet of water on Lake Moultrie with river herring. Again he is mainly catching 5-15 pound fish. 

The crappie aren’t in traditional patterns this spring, and Captain Joe reports that some of the best action is around hydrilla mats in 5-6 feet of water. Fish are spawning and they are also catching some in deeper ponds as well as around cypress trees. 

And Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the bream fishing is still really good, but the bluegills that he is catching on crickets have moved shallower. Now they are mostly catching them 10-12 feet down in 18-21 feet of water. 

For an American shad report below the lakes see the Charleston page. 

Black bass report to follow. 

March 13

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 75.70 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.1 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures range from about 56-58 degrees and the lower lake is clear while the upper lake is stained to muddy in places. 

Fresh off an impressive second place finish in the National Professional Fishing League season opener on Santee Cooper, Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that you can catch black bass about any way you want right now. There are still fish in winter-mode in 12 or more feet of water, fish staging deep, fish staging shallow, pre-spawn fish, bedding fish, and his biggest bass of the tournament was an 8-14 post-spawn(!) female that had already laid out which he caught in a 4-5 foot depression in the upper lake.  With 54- and 55-degree water temperatures he was looking at fish on the bed last weekend, so they obviously go earlier on Santee than conventional wisdom holds. 

With fish so scattered you can catch them off mid-depth brush, trees in 2-5 feet, grass at the same depth, and in protected spawning pockets. Fish are fairly aggressive and Chatterbaits (which his big fish came on), spinnerbaits, Rattle traps, and other moving baits will all work. And yesterday he also caught worm fish on a drop shot, Carolina rig, and Texas rig. 

Overall, it’s that special time of year where you can fish about however you want and catch bass on Santee!

March 12

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 75.66 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.19 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 55 degrees on the main water, much warmer in the shallows, and clarity in the lower lake is good while the upper lake still has plenty of stained areas.   

It’s hard not to lead off with striped bass on a day when a 23-pounder has been caught, and at the top of Marion Captain Randy Barkley with Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that the action for striped bass has been pretty phenomenal. Before today’s big fish they had seen several 12-15 pound fish, and each week it seems they are getting bigger ones. 

The fishing on the flats is still slower, but in the river the bite is very strong. The best pattern is fishing the shallow side of the river beside the willow trees with cut river herring. Target from the bank out to about 20 feet. 

They are also catching a lot of catfish this way, mostly in the evenings. 

At the same time Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) reports that the canal bite for striper isn’t wide open yet, and in the lower lake Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that the action is okay but not great. He suspects that the full moon has the fish messed up as they are feeding so much at night.  They had about 6 or 8 striped bass today but it was slow.

However, drifting in large creeks in about 44 feet of water (where the Moultrie striper are also coming, and they are marking massive schools of striped fish) the catfishing has been outstanding. They had a cooler of fish today and found a red-hot bite until the action petered off mid-day. 

The shallow bite is also picking up, and Captain Bobby reports that with the heat wave this week it will only get better. He is still anchoring in 5-10 feet and targeting deeper depressions or canals feeding a flat that fish will use like a highway. He then fan-casts 10 rods to cover the depression and then areas where fish could come up out of it to roam and feed. The best bite is usually early and late. Normally he will stay in a spot for a couple of hours and gizzard shad has been his preferred bait. 

Right now Captain Bobby is mainly targeting the backs of coves on the north side of Moultrie which warm faster because of the sun’s angle. 

While Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the bream fishing has been outstanding with crickets around deep brush in 34-39 feet fishing 20-22 feet down, the crappie fishing continues to be a struggle. It seems that with the population down catching them any way besides using forward-facing sonar is a challenge, and Captain Steve is hardly seeing anyone long-line trolling with success right now. The fish also appear to be relating to grass clumps way more than before, which is inherently difficult to troll!

Overall fish should be days away from going on beds and so a variety of shallow water techniques should be effective for the near future. 

For an American shad report below the lakes see the Charleston page. 

Black bass report to follow. 

March 5

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 75.59 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.31 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 55 in the shallows and 53 in the canal.  The upper lake is a little muddy in places while there is about 4 feet of visibility in the lower lake. 

Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reports that the weights in this week’s professional bass fishing tournament will make it look like the black bass are on fire, while the reality is that between wind, fronts, and a cold winter the fishing is pretty inconsistent and things are running a little behind for the beginning of March. In Captain Kyle’s opinion we are a week or two, and some warmer nights, away from fish flooding the banks.

Some fish will be in areas where they will eventually spawn cruising, and there are almost certainly some early bed fish. You can pitch a Texas rig or weightless worm for these fish, and you can also try to get into the middle of spawning bays and fish minor depressions with a bladed jig, spinnerbait, or crankbait for a reaction bite. These fish aren’t focused on feeding and really just have the spawn on their mind. 

But the bulk of the fish are still staging, and so they are mostly in 3-6 feet of water getting close to spawning areas – but not yet there. They are holding around hard spots like mussel beds and stumps, but by far the best action for Kyle has come around eel grass and hydrilla. These fish are pretty aggressive and so he is power fishing with baits like lipless crankbaits and Chatterbaits. 

As is often the case on the Santee you can catch catfish several different ways, and Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) reports that particularly on warmer days you can find a dynamite bite in the shallows anchoring in 5-10 feet. One morning he caught 15 fish in an hour. The weather doesn’t change this pattern, because some fish are determined to get into shallow water, but they may not bite as well on cooler days. 

His preferred shallow pattern is anchoring and targeting a deeper depression or canal feeding a flat that fish will use like a highway. He then fan-casts 10 rods to cover the depression and then areas where fish could come up out of it to roam and feed. The best bite is usually early and late. Normally he will stay in a spot for a couple of hours and gizzard shad has been his preferred bait. 

Right now Captain Bobby is mainly targeting the backs of coves on the north side of Moultrie which warm faster because of the sun’s angle. 

But there are also deep fish in the main lakes, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that drifting in 30-45 feet of water around depth changes including humps, ledges and then the occasional flat he is finding lots of fish up to about 20 pounds. He is using blueback herring.

Somewhere in between, Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that he is finding a really good bite for catfish still deep but moving into the creeks. In 35-45 feet of water he is finding fish that are coming up the creeks on the sides of hills and other depth changes in the lower lake. Drifting with fresh blueback herring and river herring are both working. 

The crappie are a bit of a mixed bag, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they are biting really well in some areas but slow in others. There have been some excellent reports out of Jack’s Creek fishing in 8-15 feet of water, and generally both long-lining and casting at fish on forward-facing sonar is working. Interestingly, bass fishermen also report seeing a lot of crappie in the grass. 

With a couple of warm days Captain Steve expects crappie to be all over the banks.

But the best thing going may be the striped bass, and at the top of Marion Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that as of this morning the striper are running. The fishing on the flats is slow because there isn’t much current, but in the river the bite is on fire. The best pattern is fishing the shallow side of the river beside the willow trees with cut river herring. Target from the bank out to about 20 feet. 

Captain Joe Dennis also notes that in the creeks his finding a lot of striper in the 45-foot range mid-creek and they seem to be really moving around. 

Finally, Captain Bobby Winters reports that it’s happening later than usual this year but some fish are starting to be picked up in the canal. Nobody is killing them yet as of a couple of days ago, but some fish are starting to be picked up on down-rods. 

February 27

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 75.52 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.00 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s and the upper lake is muddy while, for now, the lower lake is clear. 

Continuing a theme heard around the state this week, on the black bass front Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reports that anglers are more excited about spring than the fish are. Even though air temperatures are very warm, the water hasn’t caught up yet and bass are just not “in the dirt” so far.

And Captain Kyle should know! Besides being on the water bass fishing every day recently, he had over 28 pounds in the BFL this Saturday, good for fourth place (behind an incredible 35-pound bag).

Again, while anglers want them to be super shallow right now the bass are mostly in 3-6 feet of water staging for the spawn and getting close to spawning areas – but not yet there. They are holding around hard spots like mussel beds and stumps, but by far the best action for Kyle has come around grass. Eel grass and hydrilla in particular, and if they don’t mess with it he thinks Santee could be the best bass lake in the country in a few years. Fish are pretty aggressive and so he is power fishing with baits like lipless crankbaits and Chatterbaits. 

Kyle is targeting Moultrie right now in part because of the better water color, but they are ripping current and he notes that the mud is coming everywhere.

The catfish have made a major move from their winter, deep water haunts, and Captain Bobby Winters with Bob’s Guide Service Encore (843-751-3080) reports that they have moved into just 5-10 feet of water along with other gamefish that they like to eat. His preferred pattern is anchoring and targeting a deeper depression or canal feeding a flat that fish will use like a highway. He then fan-casts 10 rods to cover the depression and then areas where fish could come up out of it to roam and feed. The bite is not fast but steady, although action can be fast early and late. Normally he will stay in a spot for a couple of hours.  Gizzard shad has been best. 

Right now Captain Bobby is mainly targeting the backs of coves on the north side of Moultrie which warm faster because of the sun’s angle. He can see the bottom in 7 feet right now, but also realizes that is about to change.  

There are also some deeper cats right now, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he is still finding some fish drifting in about 35 feet of water on lower lake flats. While this may be a dying pattern as everything moves shallower, for now it is still productive and he is fishing herring.  

In striped bass news, at the top of Marion Captain Randy Barkley with Pack’s Landing (803-452-5514) reports that the fish are starting to run a bit and he thinks the water – while previously very muddy – is settling down enough that far up and getting to about a perfect color. On March 2 they will have river herring and expect a very good bite, but for now catfish and small striper have been chomping on shiners. Anchoring cut or live herring on the side of the river channels is usually the preferred pattern. 

Finally, speaking of anglers getting ahead of the fish, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappiefishing has just not caught up with people’s expectations. There are a lot of people still fishing in the hatchery area where there was previously a good bite, but the action has gotten slow. But in just a few days long-line trolling should get good if the water conditions in areas that aren’t too muddy and don’t have too much current. 

For an American shad report below the lakes see the Charleston page. 

February 19

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 75.34 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and have dropped to 73.82 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 53 degrees, and muddy water is now making its way to the lower lake while the upper lake is already very dirty. 

In just two days Lake Marion water levels have shot up a foot as muddy water from the Midlands has made its way down the Congaree and Wateree into Santee, and the lower lake has dropped about a foot in preparation for a river of mud. The influx of dirty water has quickly changed the catfish bite, and Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that tons of fish are now being caught in the shallows. They are catching them in just 2-5 feet of water where they are eating small bream, shad, mussels, crawfish and more. The fish are hanging around the slimy grass, and when cleaning them their stomachs are full of it. 

While the influx of water has actually helped the catfish bite, it can make for much more difficult striped bass fishing conditions. They get higher in the water column, scatter out, and seem to feed less, and certain areas like the canal can become unfishable when too much water is being pulled. It can also mess up the fish around areas like Pack’s Landing, Low Falls, and Stumphole where striper were starting to move up the rivers. Just how much is dependent on how cold the water is as well as the volume, and fishing live and cut herring on the bottom may still be productive along the sides of the river channel. 

Overall the best advice for targeting striper right now is to look for the cleanest water you can find that has bait. There are plenty of fish in the creeks and there you can avoid the main inflow. 

Between the cold front and the muddy inflow the crappie fishing has gotten tougher and the offshore brush pattern for bream has also slowed, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that some crappie are still being caught in the Hatchery area. There have also been some reports of shellcrackers caught in the shallows.

And we almost forgot to mention that the American shad have started running in the Rediversion Canal. Part-time Bonneau resident Captain Bill Plumley caught 9 earlier this week, and the action should only get better for the coming weeks. 

Finally, once again the black bass are the hardest species to move off their seasonal patterns once they start going. Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reminds anglers that fish are in such heavy pre-spawn mode by now that they aren’t going to head the other direction. 

Basically Captain Kyle is targeting hard spots and cover in 7-10 feet of water near eventual spawning areas, including shell beds, brush piles, and stumps. Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and more all working. In the muddy conditions big soft plastics that displace a lot of water can also be effective worked slowly.  

February 13

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.65 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.52 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees, and the water is still very clear for Santee.

What a difference a week makes! This time last week water temperatures were in the mid-50s and rising towards 60, and by the weekend our captains were seeing water temperatures as high as the mid-60s in some of the backwater ponds in Lake Moultrie. But after three days of wind and cold rain, yesterday on the water Captain Joe Dennis (843-245-3762) reported 50-degree temperatures!

Either because of the swings in water temperature, or the calendar, or both, Captain Joe reports that the striped bass have done a 180 and turned on in the lakes.  They are starting to move around, and while most of the fish are still in the lakes some are making their way through the Diversion Canal and others are moving into the river around Pack’s Landing. In the lower lake herring on down-lines are still working well, but in the upper lake they are doing really well with planer boards fished in 15-20 feet around hills and points. Up towards Pack’s the best pattern has been fishing cut or live herring on the sides of the river channel and towards the banks in 15-16 feet of water. 

But the change has not been good for the catfish in the last few days, as Captain Joe reports that warm temperatures initially pushed them shallower onto the hills in 25-35 feet of water. However, after temperatures dropped they stayed in those same areas (because their biology tells them which way things are headed) but developed lockjaw. This shouldn’t last for long even with cooler temperatures predicted, and they just need to adapt to the water temperatures. 

Interestingly, the up-and-down water temperatures probably have the least effect on the black bass, as Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reports that fish are in such heavy pre-spawn mode by now that they aren’t going to head the other direction. 

Basically Captain Kyle is targeting hard spots and cover in 7-10 feet of water near eventual spawning areas, including shell beds, brush piles, and stumps. Jerkbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and more all working. While you could fish soft plastics Kyle is intent on power fishing, even though the very clear conditions can make it tricky.

Overall he rates the bite a 7 out of 10, and notes that fish are active and the key is just being around them.  

The crappie bite has been a bit of a mystery, and despite fishing hard for them this week Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that even when the conditions were ideal they found a very, very slow bite in both lakes. Small bass were absolutely everywhere in the areas where crappie should have been, but they just couldn’t locate any numbers of crappie in the warm backwater ponds or the creeks that should be holding them. About the only place they heard of any big schools was in the Hatchery area. While Captain Steve will keep plugging away, and it will get better, for right now it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the population continues to be significantly down.  

But that’s not true for the bream, and Captain Steve reports that they have found an excellent bite for big bluegills in 30-35 feet of water fishing brush 20-25 feet down. 

Captain Joe was on the same pattern yesterday and caught 90 in two hours in 36 feet!

February 6

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.44 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.25 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s and heating up fast, and the water is very clear for Santee with 3-4 feet of visibility even in much of Lake Marion. 

With a warm spell and the calendar saying February, all of a sudden Santee Cooper is a black bass lake again. Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reports that fish are starting to stage for the spawn. They aren’t super close to spawning, but they are getting into pre-spawn mode. 

Basically Captain Kyle is targeting hard spots and cover in 7-10 feet of water near eventual spawning areas, including shell beds, brush piles, and stumps.  Jerkbaits, crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and more all working. While you could fish soft plastics Kyle is intent on power fishing, even though the very clear conditions can make it tricky.

Overall he rates the bite a 7 out of 10, and notes that fish are active and the key is just being around them.  

At the same time the catfish action in the upper lake has dropped off, although Captain Kyle reports that patterns are still about the same – with the fish moving a lot from day to day, between the flats and the channels. But the fish are so much more spread out that they are harder to target. Additionally, just as they bit so well when it was cold, as it warms they are biting slower. He is still mostly targeting about 25-45 feet of water. 

The striped bass are still sluggish in the lower lake according to Captain Joseph Dennis (843-245-3762), but the catfish bite is still very good in 50 plus feet of water around big bait schools. Drifting cut bait, anchoring cut bait, and fishing live or cut bait vertically – even off the bottom – will all catch fish. 

The deep bream bite has also been really good, and Captain Joe reports that on deep brush they caught 115 bluegill and shellcracker on their last trip. They were fishing 20-25 feet down in 35 feet of water with crickets and worms. 

Finally, while there has been very little other fishing pressure on the crappie (although this weekend could change that), Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the patterns are changing really fast with this warm spell and getting exciting. In low light conditions you can head back into the blackwater ponds and fish minnows or maribou jigs under a bobber, particularly when you see fish flipping. However, often the best catches come just blind-casting a curly tail grub in these areas. 

While the crappie are most likely be shallow early and late, during the day spider-rigging in the creeks in 8-12 feet of water is getting very effective. You can also long-line troll, and of course these days some anglers will be using forward-facing sonar and casting. 

January 29

Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.89 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.85 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 46 degrees in the lower lake but range from 40-46 in the upper lake. Overall the lakes are a bit dingier than normal for this time of year. 

There is at least one species that feeds better in the bitter cold, and Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) reports that the catfish bite – which he rated a 9/10 before the snow – has gotten even better. Santee Cooper blue cats are still following the bait, and in the upper lake where Captain Kyle is fishing they will stay in the same general area from day to day but each day their specific locations continue to vary significantly. Two days ago they were feeding on flats in 27-30 feet, while yesterday they were in the channel in 40-45 feet. Most cut bait is working. 

That’s consistent with the report from Captain Joseph Dennis (843-245-3762), who concurs that catfish love the cold and they are still biting really well in deep water in the lower lake. They are stacked up with the bait in 50 plus feet of water, and the cold has them grouped up even tighter. Drifting cut bait, anchoring cut bait, and fishing live or cut bait vertically – even off the bottom – will all catch fish. 

While there are still plenty of striped bass in the same areas, and you will pick up one occasionally, that bite has really slowed down. 

The black bass fishing has also slowed, and fishing slowly is also about the only way to catch them. Captain Kyle reports that they have also headed deeper, and right now he recommends concentrating on 15-25 feet of water. The deepest water in creek mouths, bends, and ditches are all good places to look, and slowly working jerkbaits, Damiki rigs and deep-diving crankbaits is the best option. Fish will be following bait and brush piles will also serve as magnets for cold-water bass. 

While he has heard some credible reports of a few crappie being caught since last Wednesday, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) has not fished for them since the snow.  He expects the bite to pick up rapidly as temperatures warm.

More information to follow next week.  

January 15

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.67 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.26 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees in the big water but can be as low as 41 in the backs. Overall the lakes are pretty clear. 

There’s some pretty phenomenal black bass fishing right now on Santee, and Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that by his calculation this is about the third year where there is a really good amount of grass in the lakes and it is showing in the bass population. He is seeing giant schools of big fish, and next time there is a major tournament that isn’t just at bed-fishing time he believes people are going to take note of how good the fishing has gotten. In a recent, small tournament there were 28- and 26-pound bags weighed! 

Unsurprisingly the best pattern is fishing around grass in 5-10 feet of water, where you can use about any moving bait from jerkbaits to Chatterbaits to Rattle Traps to spinnerbaits or worms. Grass ledges will also hold a lot of fish.

The other major pattern right now is fishing over brush piles at any depth from about 10-25 feet, and this is pretty much LiveScope fishing right now. Minnow-style baits are good but an Alabama rig pulled over the top of brush is hard to beat. 

The catfish and striped bass action is also very strong, and Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that basically the key for him has been fishing deep in the lower lake. Fish are flat on the bottom in about 50 feet, and herring has been working very well.  Live herring for striper, and dead whole herring for catfish, but both species will also eat both presentations.  

That’s consistent with the report from Captain Joseph Dennis (843-245-3762), who advises that the catfish are on fire right now in the lower lake. They are stacked up with the bait in 50 plus feet of water, and there are also lots of striper in the same vicinity. 

While the two species are often in the same areas, the catfish are often mostly on the deeper side while you will also find striper in depths from 40 feet down. Both species will take herring, but for striper they are also catching a lot of fish that will come up to 25-30 feet to take trolled Stretch 25s and other big plugs. Striper and catfish will also take live bait fished from the bottom to 20 feet above it, and there are even times when the best way to catch catfish is suspending cut herring in the water column. Of course they will take dead herring on the bottom. 

In the upper lake Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726) also reports the catfish bite a 9 out of 10, and they are filling coolers by 10:00 or 11:00 every day. But the big difference is that fish continue to move around a lot, and some days the fish are in 15-20 feet while other days they are in 25-40 feet. But again, it’s all about the bait – and when you find where the bait is set up the fish will be there. As far as what to offer the fish it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. 

While the big predator species are in feeding mode, unfortunately Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappie and bluegill are really slowing down as the water gets colder. They did have a good trip for both species about ten days ago over 20-foot brush, but since water temperatures have dropped both species are getting much more lethargic. 

January 3

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.01 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.27 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees and the lower lake is fairly clear while the upper lake has more color.  

As expected we can now offer a “deeper” perspective on the catfish, and Captain Corey Casey with Corey Casey Guide Service (843-214-6989) reports that he is finding an outstanding bite for catfish and plenty of striped bass in 40 plus feet of water on the lower lake. He expects the same thing is going on in the upper lake but isn’t fishing it right now. Both species can be caught drifting with live herring, and for catfish they are also having success dragging cut herring on the bottom. Striper are also being picked up pulling large plugs with a heavy weight in front of them to get them down.

The key to locating both species is pretty simple right now – finding the bait and the fish will be there.

That’s exactly consistent with the cat report from Captain Kyle Austin with KA Guide Services (843-209-3726), who says that every day continues to be completely different in Lake Marion. He is having to fish multiple different depths, and some days the fish are in 15-20 feet while other days they are in 25-40 feet. But again, it’s all about the bait – and when you find where the bait is set up the fish will be there. As far as what to offer the fish it doesn’t seem to make much of a difference. 

Finally, black bass fishing activity is still light but Captain Corey reports that one pattern remains fishing offshore ledges. However, by far the most productive pattern seems to be fishing grass in less than ten feet of water. One recent day they caught over twenty-five fish working grass that was in a depression in 5-8 feet of water, and with daytime temperatures warming into the 52-53 degree range fish will take both Chatterbaits and Alabama rigs. 

January 2

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.05 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.52 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees and at least the lower lake is fairly clear. 

No doubt we will be hearing about deeper catfish patterns as more reports filter in, but part-time Bonneau resident Captain Bill Plumley reports that this week he found a pretty phenomenal bite drifting shallow water. All the fish he caught were at least in the teens, and he landed blues up to 41 pounds. 

He concentrated his efforts in 6-10 feet of water, focusing on underwater “swamp ditches” where there are minor depth changes. The depth might only drop a couple of feet, but the fish use these ditches like highways to move around the flats. Everything he caught came drifting cut bream.  

Even though the brush fishing for crappie and bluegill should be winding down, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they have actually had some very good trips in the last week. And while the coming cold weather could change this, for now the fish have not gone very deep.

Generally the crappie are suspended about 14-20 feet down over brush, while bluegill are on the bottom on brush in only 14-16 feet of water. While the bream want crickets the crappie are favoring jigs over minnows.

More to follow.