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The newest Santee Cooper fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-santee-cooper-sc-winter-2017-18-fishing-report/
December 15
Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.29 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.36 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures have dropped to about 50 degrees.
It’s gotten cold on the Santee Cooper lakes, and accordingly Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the crappie and bream bites have really slowed down. The fish are also moving deeper, and they are now hanging out on brush in the 25-35 foot range. Steve’s boat is fishing about 18-20 feet down.
On the catfish front, Steve reports that there have been some good fish caught recently. The bait is pretty deep, and the best bite recently has been drifting in 35-45 feet of water.
December 1
Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.38 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.32 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures have dropped all the way into the mid-50s.
With dropping water temperatures the catfishbite on the Santee Cooper lakes is starting to change. Captain Jim Glenn (843-825-4239) reports that with cooler water it’s the time of year when all sizes of catfish can be at any depth, and so from day to day you have to find the most productive range (which can vary in different areas of these large lakes.)
Generally, Jim has found that smaller blues in the 2-6 pound range are biting well for anglers drifting in 24-28 feet. Some bigger blues can be found scattered at various depths, particularly the 12-25 foot range, but the small fish still dominate the creel. Any fresh cut bait including shad, perch, menhaden and mullet will work.
In crappie and bream news Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that in the lower lake the bite has been very good for crappie, and the fish are starting to group in 12-14 feet of water. Both bluegill and crappie are being caught around natural structure of various sorts as well as brush. Both species are ganging up in big schools as temperatures drop.
In the upper lake both crappie and bluegill are starting to move towards the river channel. On warmer days they will be found in 12-15 feet of water, and at other times they are holding on the edge of the channel in about 18 feet.
