April 1
Inshore surface water temperatures were around 65 degrees yesterday in Beaufort, but weather rolling in today is certain to drop them. Even with the high winds it is still fairly clear, but the water is more tannic than usual.
The redfish remain in a transition mode in the Beaufort area, but Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
April 1
Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-60s across the lake.
It’s the full blown bass spawning season on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
April 1
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are in the mid-60s, and the water is still pretty clear.
It’s turning into a good spring on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and after a hiatus in the reports due to some telephone issues that kept us from connecting Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
March 26
Inshore water temperatures have risen to the low 60s and the water is surprisingly clean for the amount of recent rain.
As temperatures warm Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports
March 25
Lake Murray water levels are at 357.86 (full pool is 360.00). Up the lake the water has a little color to it but the lower end is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the process of shooting up from the upper 50s to 60s.
It’s a time of year and a week where things are changing really fast, and out on the water right now veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
March 25
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 438.54 (full pool is 440.0) and the lower lake is clear again. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees but rising rapidly.
As promised, veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
March 25
Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool. Water temperatures have now moved into the lower 60s over most of the lake, and around the power plant they are in the mid-60s. Clarity is normal.
Spring fishing is on at Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
March 25
Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 60 degrees. In the South Edisto the water is greener while in the North it is clearer.
The trout fishing is good in the creeks for the 13-16 inch trout that stay all year in Edisto, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
March 25
Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and the water is a medium green.
The nearshore fishing is still very good, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports
March 19 (continued)
Out on the water earlier today fishing the Big Bass Tour, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA managed to score a 5.82 pound big fish worth a healthy check in one of the hourly weigh-ins. This follows a good weekend last week where Tyler placed 11th out of about 150 boats in the Top 6 tournament.
Overall Tyler reports
Last weekend's featured Carolinas Bass Challenge tournament on Santee Cooper was won by Wade Grooms fishing alone with a big 28.06 pound sack including an 8.14 pound big fish. He won $10k and didn't have to share it with anyone! Reader J Andrews also didn't have to share his $80 AHQ gift certificate for the closest guess with anyone, and with a 28 pound even guess he was just an ounce away. Incidentally his 8.28 pound guess on big fish was also really close!
March 19
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s, with some warmer water on the south end, and clarity is good. Water levels fluctuate daily.
The cool, windy weather this week has kept the spring bass spawn from progressing much further forward, and Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
March 19
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 438.06 (full pool is 440.0). Water temperatures are in the mid-50s after the recent cold snap.
It’s hard to generate momentum for the spring crappie spawn when the fish keep getting buffeted by cold fronts, and Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports
March 19
Lake Wateree is at 97.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. Before this week’s rain the water was clearing but wind and rain are dirtying it up again.
One year we may get a spring where the water temperatures smoothly and gradually transition warmer, but this is not that year! Tournament bass angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports
March 19
Lake Russell water levels are almost full at 474.88 (full pool is 475.00). Morning surface water temperatures have fall to about 59 degrees. Water clarity is a little stained after the rain this week.
Most bass anglers love spring warming, but on Lake Russell Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) often finds
March 19
Clarks Hill water levels are slightly back up to 329.60 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures have fallen from about 60 back into the mid-50s as of this morning.
The action for hybrid and striped bass has improved this week, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports
March 19
Lake Murray water levels are up to 358.04 (full pool is 360.00). The water is stained and there is lots of debris floating after recent rains. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 53 at the dam to 60 in creeks on the north side.
Things have changed quickly on Lake Murray, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
March 19
Lake Wylie is at 97.8% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. The water is pretty stained in the backs.
The bass fishing is finally getting better on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
March 19
Santee Cooper water levels are down to 75.30 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and up to 74.62 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Clarity is pretty normal and morning surface water temperatures range from 60-62 in the upper lake to about 58 in the lower lake. The wind has made fishing difficult recently.
A slight cool snap coincided with the CBC last weekend on Santee, and as a result Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports
March 19
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 659.85 (full pool is 660.00). There remains stained water in some creeks but overall the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 55-57 degrees.
In the last week Guide Brad Fowler reports
March 16
Lake Keowee is at 97.8% of full pool. Water temperatures are just below 60 in the lower and upper parts of the lake, while around the power plant and Mile Creek areas they are in the low to mid-60s. Clarity is normal.
Different parts of Lake Keowee continue to be at different stages of the bass spawn due to water temperature differentials, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
March 11
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 436.88 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is finally beginning to clear. Water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s.
At last the crappie fishing is starting to turn around on Lake Greenwood, and Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports