February 18

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.40 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.54 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are muddy and the power company is pulling the water hard, with water temperatures are about 50 degrees. 

It’s been some another week of nasty weather on Santee, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that while he has not been out much high, muddy water is putting even more pressure on the fish to go shallow.  Fish are still focused on shad and the most catchable fish should still be chasing bait in 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits are all good choices.

The catfish bite is still pretty slow but steady, although Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that soon he is expecting the fish to start to move shallower. However, for now drifting in about 25-30 feet of water seems to be the best pattern. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat.

The best action is coming with shad and herring. 

Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) will be back on the crappie and bream once there is some better weather next week.

February 5

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.54 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.38 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures range from 49-53 and the lake is stained but not muddy. 

It’s been some nasty weather this week on Santee, but when it’s worth getting out on the water the bass seem to be biting decently. Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in this week’s Sunday Showdown Series tournament there were a few bigger ones caught as well as a bunch of two-pounders.  Fish are still focused on shad and the most catchable fish are still chasing bait in 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. The fish also seem to be on wood a little better this week.   

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits are all working pretty well. 

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The catfish bite is still pretty slow but steady, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there is not much anchoring going on and drifting in about 30 feet of water seems to be the best pattern. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat.

The best action is coming with shad and herring. 

While he hasn’t been after them much recently, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) believes that crappie are likely still 20 plus feet down over deep brush in 35 plus feet of water. There have also been some reports of anglers starting to troll for them and pick up a few but the action is certainly not hot. 

Bream are very deep and biting only sporadically.

January 22

Santee Cooper water levels are back down to 73.84 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) but up to 73.09 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 48-51 degrees and the lake is pretty dingy.   

The bass fishing is a little better this week on Santee, as judged by the results of the Sunday Showdown Series where a 7-pounder and a 5-pounder took the win, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that overall the patterns have not changed much. While there will be changes due to water conditions, temperature, and the like over the next month and a half, the overall pattern that fish are focused on shad won’t change until they get into staging for the pre-spawn period.  

There is probably a deeper bite if you look very hard, or get lucky and stumble on it, but the bait is pelagic and so the offshore fish are tough to locate. Additionally, between water levels rising and pushing fish to the banks in the lower lake – and the fact that the most fishable bass on Santee are almost always in less than 10 feet – Brett is still focusing on 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. 

Crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option, but you can also fish a worm slowly when nothing else is working. 

Check out the new Santee Cooper Catch ’Em Kits with lures hand-picked for each season by Brett.

The catfish are still feeding pretty well, and Brett reports that overall the bite remains good. Drifting cut bait in 20-30 feet of water is catching lots of 3-5 pound fish, and the occasional 15-30 pounder is also mixed in. The fishing should stay good on a similar pattern for the rest of the month. 

Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) also reports that he has found the best bite in about 30 feet of water. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat. 

While he hasn’t been after them for a week or two, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) believes that crappie are likely still on deep brush in 20 plus feet of water over 35 plus feet of water.  Bream are also likely to be very deep. 

January 13

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.63 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 71.92 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 48-51 degrees and the lake is dingy but fast becoming muddy. 

Very low water levels were affecting the bass fishing on Santee Cooper last week, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that even as water levels have started to rise recently the fishing is getting tougher. In particular the incoming mud is making it harder to get bites. 

Still, with water levels remaining relatively low – particularly in the lower lake – finding fishable cover is still an issue, and trees are still basically eliminated along with some other cover. Fish remain basically on whatever they can get on, and there might be two or three fish on a single stump.  Right now 2-4 feet of water is the target depth range.

Fish are still on a shad bite, and so crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option. When the fishing gets slow worms are the best bet.

With cold, muddy conditions only likely to get worse it may be a little while before the bass fishing improves.  

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The catfish are happier than the bass right now, and Brett reports that overall the bite remains good. Drifting cut bait in 20-30 feet of water is catching lots of 3-5 pound fish, and the occasional 15-30 pounder is also mixed in. The fishing should stay good on a similar pattern for the rest of the month. 

The fishing is a little slower deeper, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that drifting in 28-42 feet there is the occasional very big fish being caught, and a surprising 30-pound flathead was even landed out there recently. Right now Stevie says that anglers should be looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat. 

Even though it will pick up again in February the Santee Cooper crappie bite is winding down for the season, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that on their last trip out he was able to catch a couple of very nice fish over 2 pounds even though they really had to work for them. They are on some of the deepest brush he fishes, in 20 plus feet of water over 35 plus feet of water.

While Steve won’t pretend that he’s putting in much over to catch them, the bream fishing has really slowed over brush and he has only gotten the occasional nibble on crickets.   

January 5

Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.51 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 71.01 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees and the lake is dingy but not yet muddy. 

Very low water levels are affecting the bass fishing, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that some really big fish have been caught recently – including some 9- and 10-pound hawgs! Brett has also been catching good numbers, with 12-15 bass on one recent trip and 9-10 on another. 

While the fishing has been good, getting around has been the problem.   Finding fishable cover is also an issue, and with no water under most of the trees they have been eliminated as has most of the other usual stuff. Fish are basically on whatever they can get on, and there might be two or three fish on a single stump.  Right now 2-4 feet of water is the target depth range.

Fish are still on a shad bite, and so crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option. When the fishing gets slow worms are the best bet. 

Check out the new Santee Cooper Catch ’Em Kits with lures hand-picked for each season by Brett.

When Brett isn’t targeting bass he has been guiding for catfish, and overall that bite has also been good. They are getting 10-20 fish per day averaging 4-15 pounds, with the occasional 25-30 pound fish thrown in. 

Most of the action has come drifting live or cut herring, or gizzard shad, in 20-30 feet of water. The lower lake has been more consistent and the upper lake has either been “on” or “off”.

While he has not been out for a few days Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has also heard reports of a good drift bite in a similar 25-35 foot range. There is also the chance for a monster, like the 86-pound fish recently caught drifting with Captain Mark Lawson! 

While bass and catfish have been cooperative, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that bream have slowed way down. They have picked up a couple on deep brush, but they are not feeding much. And with the water racing through the canal you can’t really anchor a boat to target shellcracker in their favorite winter haunts.

The crappie are more cooperative, and Steve’s boat picked up about 17 on his last trip with minnows. They have now moved onto deep brush and they are sitting 18-20 plus feet down over brush in 30-35 plus feet of water. 

December 17

Santee Cooper water levels are down to 73.90 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 72.56 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s and the canal is dingy but not muddy. 

The bass are in a cool weather pattern on the lakes, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that overall fish are on a shad bite right now. They are on current breaks and edges in the 5-6 foot range, particularly in areas where there is access to deep water nearby.  These areas in the backs of the creeks have been producing. 

While there has not been a really good bite in shallow or deep water, the fishing has also been good around brush and trees in 4-8 feet of water. The swamp has a lot of good trees in 6-8 feet and so it is fishing well. Crankbaits and Rattle Traps have both been working.

When there is strong current it usually hurts the bass bite but can help the action for catfish and striper. 

Speaking of cats, Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the action has not been fast and furious but he has been catching some good fish recently. The best catches for his boat have come on bream and white perch, and even though the fish are not very aggressive drifting humps in 15-25 feet of water has been working. He has not had much luck shallow and the canal was ripping very hard recently and it may still be unfishable. 

The bream and crappie bite is still in a decent late fall pattern, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that even as it has gotten colder fish have still been hanging on the mid-depth brush in 22-24 feet of water.  Today they are catching them about 12 feet down and they aren’t marking anything on the deeper stuff.   Typically when it gets a bit colder fishing 18-20 feet down over brush in 30-35 feet of water should be the best bet until the bite really slows.

November 24

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.91 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.89 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures are around 64 and the lakes are dirty.

At last report Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) speculated that there were probably some bass that could be caught mixed in with striper chasing shad, and today on the water he has proven at least half of that. As of about 9:30 Brett’s boat had caught 30 or 40 striper that were schooled up in the strong current, and even though most were under the limit there were a few over 26 inches. These fish are in the main channel where the current is strongest and they can be found from the top to bottom of the water column. In the right areas you can catch one on every cast. 

Overall this is a transition period for largemouth, and there are still some fish on trees and brush in the shallows. Topwater lures are just starting to fade out but they can still work, and soft plastics are also effective. At the same time, fish are starting to move towards shad schools in 6-12 feet of water that are migrating into the creeks. Swimbaits, crankbaits and bladed baits will all catch these fish. 

Of course, when the water is ripping like right now the current adds another factor that can set the bait and fish up. 

The action for both bream and crappie is getting better as temperatures cool, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that Sunday they caught more than 200 big bream on crickets. Today they have been targeting crappie with minnows and had considerable success. As temperatures drop both species get in much tighter groups, and so while not every brush piles will have fish when you do find them the numbers are excellent.

For right now fishing about 12 feet down over brush in 22 or more feet of water has been working the best, but as temperatures continue to drop the fish will move deeper. Fishing 18-20 feet down over brush in 30-35 feet of water should soon be the best bet. 

As water temperatures cool Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the catfish are starting to “act right”, and even though he isn’t catching spectacular numbers the sizes are getting bigger and pretty much everything he has caught has been in the 10-30 plus pound range. He is having the best luck drifting flats on the lower lake in 15-25 feet of water, and white perch, herring and bluegill are all working.

November 10

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.56 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.90 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures are in the upper 60s and while the lakes have some color they are not dirty.

There are probably some bass offshore out deep chasing shad along with the striper, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the most catchable fish right now that he is targeting are extremely shallow around grass and wood. He is fishing in 1 ½ to 2 feet of water in both lakes, and the best action has come on topwater lures including buzzbaits, frogs and Spooks. Right now the action is not on fire but they are catching some fish, and the bass seem to be in an opportunistic mood where they are feeding on whatever is around including crawfish, bream, shad and more.   

It’s most than likely a function of water temperatures, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappie are still very scattered which means they are catching about half as many fish as at this time last year. Fish are around shallower and deeper brush, but the best action has come 8-12 feet down over brush piles in 17-24 feet of water. Because it has relatively less cover Steve finds that the fish are grouped up a little better in the lower lake right now, and minnows are working the best. 

Almost certainly as a result of the mild water temperatures, the bream fishing is actually slower than a month ago when dropping temperatures were grouping the better fish up on brush.  To be sure you can catch a ton of bream on brush, and on one recent trip Captain Steve’s boat caught about 300 bluegill. However, many of them are small right now and there are even some better fish back in the shallows again.  If temperatures drop the action should really improve fishing crickets over brush at about the same depth where they are catching the crappie. 

The wide open fall catfish bite has not really kicked in yet, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that some of the best action has actually come getting up very early and starting to fish an hour or two before daylight – more like a summer pattern. During the day he has found better fish drifting in 17-19 feet of water, while there are numbers but smaller fish out in 30-35 feet. There are people anchoring in the canal but the fishing doesn’t seem to be very good. 

Herring, cut shad and bream are all working a little bit better than chicken.

October 23

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.93 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.24 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures have slightly warmed to about 72-73 degrees, and while there has been a ton of water moving through the lakes they remain fairly clear. 

Over the last few weeks water temperatures have if anything risen, and as a result  Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappie really have not ganged up very well. They are still scattered between shallow and deep water, and the best action he has found has been fishing minnows around brush 8-12 feet down over 17-24 feet of water. There are also some fish to be found in deeper brush, but the numbers are a little thinner. Cooler temperatures in the weeks ahead should concentrate the fish. 

The fall bream fishing continues to be pretty good, but perhaps because of the warmer temperatures the fishing is not quite as reliable as it was when temperatures were dropping. Some days Steve says they will find big fish ganged up on the brush, while other days the bream are small with only the occasional better fish mixed in. 

The best action has come fishing for bluegill with crickets about 8-10 feet down over brush in 15-18 feet of water. 

With water temperatures stable bass patterns have not changed a lot on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the most catchable fish remain shallow in 2-4 feet of water. There is a little bit of schooling activity, but for the most part it is just junk fishing with topwater lures, crankbaits and soft plastics around grass, trees and any other type of cover. Since the shad are generally still suspended out deep most of the fish that have moved up are feeding on bream and crawfish. 

In general the fall catfish bite on Santee kicks off when water temperatures drop consistently, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that without relatively stable cooling the fishing has been a little up-and-down. Sometimes it has been tough. The best action has been found drifting in 20-35 feet of water, and the top baits have been cut herring and chicken.

With a ton of water coming through the system the canal has been too blown out to fish.

October 9

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.14 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.97 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures are around 70-74 degrees.

There are more than a few big name bass fishermen targeting Santee Cooper this week, and luckily Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that water conditions have stabilized enough that cooling temperatures could kick in a decent fall bite for the Elite anglers. By and large the fish have moved shallow and so the best fishing is generally in 2-4 feet of water. There is a little bit of schooling activity, but for the most part it is just junk fishing with topwater lures, crankbaits and soft plastics around grass, trees and any other type of cover. Since the shad are generally still suspended out deep most of the fish that have moved up are feeding on bream and crawfish. 

The crappie bite has been pretty good this week, but right now Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that there is a clear difference in how the two lakes are fishing. The numbers are lower but the fish have been bigger in the lower lake, while in the upper lake the numbers are better but the fish are smaller. Steve’s boat is fishing minnows around brush 8-12 feet down over 17-24 feet of water, but there are reports of fish around shallow laydowns in only 5 feet being caught up in the swamp.

As promised, the fall bream fishing has finally gotten good. Steve reports that the better fish have now moved out to brush, and they are setting up 8-10 feet down over brush in 15-18 feet of water. They are catching mostly bluegill and so crickets have been the bait of choice. While Steve is mainly fishing the lower lake, the pattern is about the same in both lakes. 

There are a couple of different patterns for catching catfish, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that at night he has been drifting in very deep water 45 plus feet. This is not a pattern for numbers, but he has been catching some big ones this way. On the other end of the spectrum, if you are willing to wait for just a few big bites setting up in the shallows at night can also produce.  

During the day he has been catching better numbers, and generally they are targeting 15-25 feet. 

Perch and herring have been the best baits. 

September 25

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.32 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.33 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures have dropped all the way to 73 or 74 degrees. There is a ton of water being pulled through the lakes creating some swift current. 

We got the seasonal cooling that anglers knew was needed to move the bass out of a deep suspended pattern, but  Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that there has been so much current running through the lakes that it has made fishing extremely difficult. The lower lake was pulled so much that it was tough to target bass, and the current was so swift in the canal and the upper lake that it made fishing there almost impossible. For now the best bet is to perhaps head up the river and look for areas with some sort of current break, be it a log, brush or tree. 

Once water levels stabilize the fishing should get really good, and fish will finally move both shallower in the water column as well as shallower towards the banks and set up nicely. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and topwater lures should all work.  

The crappie bite has dropped off a little this week, particularly in the lower lake, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they are still catching fish on minnows and jigs 8-12 feet down over brush in 18-25 feet.  Even though numbers are down they have managed some nice ones. 

The better bream remain tough to target, but very soon when water conditions stabilize they should pull out to the brush piles and group up.

There’s may still be a pretty good catfish bite out deep, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the best action he has heard of this week has come drifting shallower in about 10 feet of water.  

Herring and cut perch are still the best baits.

September 18

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.68 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.70 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures have dropped to 80 or 81. It’s been extremely windy and there is a lot of rainwater coming into the system, but the lakes are starting out pretty clear and so the lower lake will probably stay relatively clean while the upper end of Marion may get dirty. 

It was a brutal Carolinas Bass Challenge event last Saturday, and although it did appear that the patterns were not too far off from what was expected (offshore) weights were even lower than predicted.  Gary Michaud and Dustin Compton took the win with 21.89 pounds, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) points out that any time only a couple of teams in an elite 165-boat field break 20 pounds, less than two dozen break 14 pounds, and around half the field does not weigh in a fish – on the big bass factory that is Santee Cooper – things are extremely tough! 

The core problem is that right now the fish are on an offshore suspended bite around schools of shad, and that makes them very difficult to target. They aren’t related well to brush, ledges, mussel beds or any other offshore target that can hold them, which makes these roaming fish extremely hard to locate and present a bait to. Crankbaits and swimbaits are probably the best choices. Brett notes that you can still catch fish on soft plastics around trees, but the bites aren’t easy to come by and the 1-2 pound fish that are there don’t do much good in a tournament.

Temperatures were still hot as of last weekend, but as the water cools fish will move both shallower in the water column as well as shallower towards the banks. The baits will stay the same but fish will be easier to locate and they will bite better.  Topwater baits should also come on. 

While the bass are playing hard-to-get, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappie bite is still pretty reliable. Catches aren’t outstanding but they are approaching 20 fish most trips fishing minnows and jigs 8-12 feet down over brush in 18-25 feet. He’s been in the lower lake more but both lakes are fishing about the same.

The better bream remain tough to target, although if you want to catch small bream you can catch them over brush to your heart’s content. They are creating quite a nuisance for crappie fishermen pulling the tails off of jigs. As the temperatures drop the better bream should pull out to the brush piles and group up – which should be starting right now.

The best catfish bite seems to be in a little deeper water this week, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he is finding the best drifts in 30-35 feet of water in areas that have tree stumps. He has caught a few fish as deep as 40 feet, and he has heard of fish as shallow as 20. With a major catfish tournament taking place this weekend it will be interesting to see what other patterns emerge. With cooler weather the bite has been improving at the right time for some exciting catches. 

Herring and cut perch are the best baits right now. 

September 10

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.42 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.27 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are down to around 83 degrees and clarity is very high in the lower lake. The upper lake is a bit dingier.  

With many of the state’s best bass fishermen headed to Santee Cooper for the Carolinas Bass Challenge event this weekend, for this week’s report we decided to check in with a Santee bass expert who will not be fishing on Saturday and doesn’t mind giving his frank appraisal. Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) acknowledges that the fall is different on Santee, and while there will certainly be some fish caught shallow as well as around trees he expects the tournament to be won in the 6-14 foot range. At that depth fish will be around brush and stumps, and in the lower lake some of the fish will be over humps that have cover on them. Pulling soft plastics through the brush or crankbaits over the top of it will be the dominant patterns, but a big spinnerbait could also play.  Guiding for other species he has seen some very large bass come out of brush piles recently to try to eat a panfish. 

In the fall fish are focused on shad more than at other times of the year when anglers more typically chase them on Santee, and there could be some schooling activity. This is particularly true in the creeks up the lake. However, these fish generally run smaller. 

Overall Steve predicts that it will take around 26 pounds for the win. 

While the bass guys are plugging away at the fish on Saturday Steve will be guiding for crappie, and overall he reports that the bite has slowed down a little. He is marking plenty of fish but catching 15-18 has been a pretty good day recently. He is catching them on minnows and jigs 8-12 feet down over brush in 18-25 feet, and Steve finds that both lakes are fishing about the same.

The bream remain tough to target, although if you want to catch small bream you can catch them over brush to your heart’s content. They are creating quite a nuisance for crappie fishermen pulling the tails off of jigs. As the temperatures drop the better bream should pull out to the brush piles and group up.

It’s hard to know exactly what to make of the catfish bite, and really the only valid conclusion seems to be that the Santee Cooper lakes are full of catfish. Captain Bill Plumley reports that early and late he has been having the best luck drifting in 10-12 feet of water, and this morning he doubled up with a 34-pounder and a 19-pounder at the same time and also caught a bunch of smaller fish. He believes they are coming up shallower to feed on mussel beds in low light periods, but then during the day they head out deeper. Drifting in 30 feet he has caught more small fish.

At the same time, Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has found a good drift bite in 26-40 feet of water at night, with the best action when he is in the 30-35 foot sweet spot. During the day he is finding the best action a little shallower in 25-30 feet. 

Cut bream, white perch and blueback herring are all working, and if you want to catch smaller channels until you are tired of it worms are hard to beat.