document.getElementById( "ak_js_18" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I have made many memories of fishing on santee with my late dad and more recently with my 2 grown sons. Overall its a good bet to have a wide selection of cut bait as well as chicken available. These services are no longer offered at 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia. The catfish action has been more consistent for Brett, and his last trip started out slow but they ended up catching a bunch of fish drifting a flat with stumps in 20-25 feet of water. Book your campsites NOW! When the fish are up shallow then Brett is pretty much fishing with Senkos and other soft plastics, although in windy conditions he will also fish a spinnerbait. document.getElementById( "ak_js_19" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on February 26, 2021 Cut herring, river herring, bluegill and shad are all working. Some monster catfish were caught in the Big Cat Brawl over the weekend on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there were a couple over 70 and the winning team had 6 fish over two days that were well into the 200s. When the fish arent on top they can be caught down-lining for suspended for fish or looking for striper that are stacked up on the bottom. Striper and hybrids: Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that during January fish may get harder to catch in cold conditions. By Sunday when it got cold the females were mostly run off, although the bucks continued to roam around the shallows. White perch has been completely unproductive. The bluegill are also still piled up on the same brush, and they are catching some really nice bream on crickets. A total of 98 pounds even over four days was a virtuoso performance by The Prodigy, from whom weve come to expect nothing less. While a lot of the shellcracker have already spawned there should be more, and the bluegill should really start to get down to business on this moon phase. Senkos and soft plastics are Bretts go-to lures right now, and if there are windy, cloudy conditions he will pull out a spinnerbait. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Prior to the Weeks Act of 1911, the citizenry of the Republic owned no large land tracts in the eastern United States. Wed love to hear from you! Water color is off in a lot of areas, but those areas I mention here are good to fair and really fishable. document.getElementById( "ak_js_13" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I have never fished. The crappie fishing remains a little slow, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that in the afternoon they are only picking up a few fish here and there on brush. But the bite has been very good, and yesterday they caught 29 crappie in the upper lake and 50 bluegill and 8 crappie the day before in the lower lake. I caught it in the river down past Harrys campgrounds. Santee Cooper has thousands of acres of inundated cypress trees, various kinds of vegetation and all sorts of fish-holding habitat. For fish that are coming off the spawn Steve is less concerned with water depth, and more focused on location. Another slow day at the islands coupled with a great catch from our code boat Liberty has resulted in us switching our run back to offshore fishing. While unusual water conditions could change the pattern, expect the best fish to come drifting deep water with cut bait on the lower end. Trout: Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports that by late December the trout fishing was outstanding, and January should be more of the same. 5. The verdict is in from the recent CBC tournament, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that a few people are whacking the bass but most people are not. This weekend Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) has several trips for crappie again after some time off, and his best guess is that the fish will be scattered 10-20 feet down over middle depth to deep brush. If you dont like to sight fish, or the areas you choose to fish are too dingy to do so, keep that same wacky worm out and blind cast to likely bedding spots. FOIA | Privacy Policy | Report visited the sprawling fishery. Shop our collection of fishing rods to find the one that best matches your needs. Sonny's blood bait and Murrells stink bait are your best baits. Long before the first turkey gobbles or the barred owl hoots, the pre-dawn spring air rings with the iconic call of a night bird, repeatedly chanting its name, whip-poor-will, whip-poor-will. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.31 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.57 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Jigging vertical is the best presentation. More trip open. document.getElementById( "ak_js_17" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on April 14, 2021 Top water and swim baits will work good. Trolling numbers have not been incredible. recreational fishing regulations, Report This year Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the Elite Series pros hit Santee right, and he doesnt expect to see many dry live wells. Or enjoy Free Shipping on orders over $50! But the most reliable pattern is that in January on Lake Greenwood an Alabama rig is likely to be effective, either shallow, deep, or both. barsin 4' to 8' of water using cut bait are catching the bigger fish . Bass in the Santee Cooper lakes start to move shallow this month, and anglers should follow. Mike Pritchard called in with this report for the Tribute. He is a friend of mine and wins virtually every tournament he fishes there. They are still getting a lot of pull-downs but the fish wont commit as well. It seemed that some of the biggest fish came on Lake Marion, but there were also a lot of people who struck out in the upper lake. Perhaps the most exciting thing going on Santee right now is the. Overall the action for catfish has been a little off-and-on at Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the weather has certainly not helped with a mix of wind and rain in the past week before it got prettier. In fact, they stayed within the state of South Carolina. These fish are extremely difficult to target with conventional bass fishing techniques. Thi. Yesterday they tried some brush in 14-15 feet of water with no bites, and it has only been the trees in 20-35 feet that have produced. For some reason the catfish bite has gotten really tough, and while there are some fish being caught its not unusual for anglers to strike out right now. document.getElementById( "ak_js_20" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Im coming down in March to fish for largemouth bass. Most detailed Lake with sandy bottomsis the areas to look for. Its the time of year when the bass fishing is highly dependent on the weather, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that before and after the cold snap over the weekend the bass bit well but on Sunday they did not. Bring a chair and cooler, along with your best pal, and kick back with a day of fishing. Right now its slower than last year at this time. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.65 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.5 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the low 60s and there is some dirty water rolling into the lakes. Fish the edges of the creeks. Crickets are the best bait for bream and jigs and minnow will the best baits for the crappie. Yellowtail, bass, giant barracuda and bonitaare all biting well making for a action filled day on the water and fat bags of fillets for the BBQ. Striped bass: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in January there should continue to be lots of 3- to 7-pound striper caught on the lower end of the lake around birds. New . By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Despite a very slight temperature drop it hasnt moved enough to really activate the bass fishing, and Brettreports that he has not seen a fish so much as swirl at a topwater bait recently. They will take most any bait when they are feeding. Crappie will eat minnows or jigs. The best bite will be in the middle of the day when the water is warmest. He wasnt the only Mossy Oak performer to get to compete for all four days: If youre headed to Santee Cooper in mid- to late-March, be sure to bring some pre-spawn staples like jerkbaits, vibrating jigs and Carolina Rigs, just to keep the bass honest, but in normal weather years expect the masses of fish to be super-shallow, looking to reproduce. For fish chasing bait flukes, Spooks, Pop-Rs, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits will all work. November December 2005 The largemouth bass have been hitting very well the past couple of trips. The latest Santee Cooper Fishing Reports from Canal Lakes Fish Camp Fishing Reports Catfish: Catfish are moving into the upper and lower ends of the canal, cut bait, herring and gizzard shad are your best baits. Lets just recap why Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie are the places to be if youre looking for a freshwater fishing trip in South Carolina. webmaster@dnr.sc.gov, State Looking to head to Murray on 4/10 to fish. Captain Brett Mitchell agrees with that, and Brett reports that the majority of anglers after a big blue are anchoring in 4-6 feet of water around cypress tree clusters. Crappie and Bream: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that both species bit in December around mid-depth brush piles, but in January they will likely moved deeper and the bluegill will eventually get less active. The more general pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick Worms around trees, stumps and points. You can post now and register later. Fish as close to the bottom as possible for the bigger fish as the water temp gets lower. Hope you have a rewarding time fishing on Santee Cooper. Shallow-water bass fishing means different things to different people, but on Santee-Cooper, shallow water can mean really shallow water, even in the dead of winter. The lower lake has fished a little better than the upper lake. However, this week the patterns have changed and some cool, windy weather has pulled the fish out just a little. From the Wateree River, across the flats of Lake Marion, to the open waters of Lake Moultrie and beyond, the fishing is exceptional. With the crappie fishing slow Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) took a break from them last week, but this weekend he will be after them again. Following this, creel limits are counted on a per person basis with the caveat that a total of 40 game fish may be kept in any one day. Santee-Cooper Fishing Seasons January The subtropical climate of South Carolina makes Santee Cooper the place to be for some fishing action. Santee Cooper Lakes fishing can easily keep you busy catching largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and white perch. Other types of fish you can target while Santee Cooper Lakes fishing are striped bass, bream and bluegill. This includes spinnerbaits, swimbaits and crankbaits. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.41 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.31 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Wish us luck, It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. Upload or insert images from URL. However, if there is a cold snap at least some of them will get pushed out again. Captain Ryan Bostian called in with an announcement. Target the same fish without worrying about bumping into the trees beneath you. Bass will move off shore to deep brush piles. They are tired, beat up, and trying to recover, and so the bite will likely be off for a few more days. From 1939 to 1942 the lakes were created in a hydroelectric project by the South Carolina Public Service Authority, commonly known as Santee Cooper.The lakes vary from shallow swamps at the upper end of both lakes (but most famously Lake Marion) to the vastness of Lake Moultrie 14 miles across at its widest point and appearing to be a great, open bowl. The lakes shores are fully equipped for tourism, too. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.08 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.96 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Crickets are working for bluegill, while minnows are working for crappie. please come prepared with a 25 lb rod a a 40 lb rod and a 50-80 lb rod. document.getElementById( "ak_js_6" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on October 27, 2021 Lakes Fish Camp Conditions reports for this lake are available when I hope this helps. Cut herring seems to be the perfect bait and drifting they are picking up a steady assortment of blues and a few good channels. Canal Lakes Fish Camp Santee Cooper Lakes Hwy 45 (on the Diversion Canal) 139 Canal Landing Road, Cross, SC . 06.01.21. The crappie are starting to move around on the lakes, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that there are not as many fish on the deep brush piles as there were a week ago. Another forgotten gem of these lakes is Largemouth Bass. Brett has only been fishing shad-colored crankbaits, but red crankbaits, swimbaits and more should also work. The remote lakes are surrounded by stunning scenery, giving you the perfect getaway. In the next week or two there should also start to be a topwater bite, but that really doesnt usually kick off until water temperatures hit a magic range of about 75 degrees. In contrast, to catch a bigger fish concentrate on shallower water. However, we will be looking around and will be targeting the best opportunities. However, if it gets very cold then fish should go deep and be caught on spoons bumped off the bottom. You cannot paste images directly. Mullet are also present at times. When it comes to licenses, only people over 16 who will be fishing need to have a fishing license. When temperatures are cold and the water is relatively clear a jigging spoon can be effective. THE DRAGON SHAD DEMON - THE ULTIMATE IN LINE CATFISH FLOAT - SANTEE COOPER RIG . A mix of cut bait including gizzard shad and herring will work as well as chicken. Crappie and white perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in January fish will be set up in the front sections of creeks in deep water. This week the sweet spot has generally been 14-18 feet down over 20-35 feet of water. When the fish are very shallow they will take spinnerbaits, shallow-running crankbaits and other baits worked quickly, while when they pull out medium-running crankbaits and Rattle Traps are good. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.15 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.44 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). document.getElementById( "ak_js_28" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Been to Santee many times but after Hurricane Hugo came in 1989 it was touch and go for years. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.08 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.96 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). A popular spot for locals employed by the nearby Santee-Cooper electric and water company, its arguably one of the best starting points for fishing on Lake Moultrie. Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that in January some blue catfish should be catchable that have moved out of the deep timber, and they should begin to be found in the creek channels. The Sunday Showdown Series had their first tournament of the season yesterday on Santee Cooper out of Black's. It sounds like youve had some great times in Santee Cooper! Again, its best to have a mix of cut baits including gizzard shad, American shad, river herring and blueback herring because fish have been showing different preferences on different days. The bite is about the same in both lakes, and right now the action seems to be better in the middle of the day and early afternoon. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.46 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.3 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). You can explore a number of guides in the area on FishingBooker. Not to mention Moultrie can get pretty violent if the winds pick up out of no where. He has had the best luck drifting in 10-20 feet of water on cut herring, while Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) is concentrating more on the 15-20 foot range. Call Seaforth at (619) 224-3383 to get in on the action. As is often the case there are several different ways to catch catfish on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports the best action he has found has been in very deep water from 25 out to 50 feet. Clear editor. There were some good fish in the 20-30 pound range caught on chicken, but the best bait seems to be river herring and gizzard shad. South Carolina freshwater Among catfish the current world record channel catfish was caught in Lake Moultrie (58 pounds caught in 1964) and the current state record flathead was caught in the Diversion Canal (79-4 caught in 2001). Its an interesting bite for catfish on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the fishing is kind of feast-or-famine. The feat has become a growing trend among the turkey hunting community in recent years with hunters across the country making the Super Slam a lifelong hunting goal. Overall its been a slow late spring for crappie, and with real summer heat on the way it probably wont be until the fall that fishing really picks up. Herring, shad and mullet have all been working for his boat. Just make note Ive heard inexperienced can get lost in that area so be careful. Some spawning fish will be taken, plus a lot of bass will be back . And the Dogwood trees are in bloom, as my Daddy said, it's the sign that fish are on the beds. Moultrie is the smaller of the two . Bream are moving in shallows setting up to spawn leading Come The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. He is now targeting bass following bait which will move in and out of the creeks following current. Provided by Captain Joe Dennis with FatherandSonOutdoors. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.90 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.48 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Chartreuse, straight-tail jigs are working the best. creek channel ledges are the areas to fish. Drift fishing around drop-offs, ledges, and underwater structures in waters that are up to 40 deep is a good place to start. Traffic and wind conditions are definitely important considerations when youre fishing from a kayak. Is there someone to help guide a beginner? These include around grass, trees, and wood. There were certain key backwaters and areas that seemed to hold more and bigger fish, but the true Holy Grail was to find a place that would replenish itself with one 20-plus-pound bag opportunity after another. He has been targeting the flats in between the turns in the river bed on Lake Marion. When water temperatures hit about 50 degrees then the creek bite should really turn on. It shouldnt be long until fish start to move into the creeks following shad and become catchable on topwater lures, swimbaits and square-billed crankbaits. At times minnows and then jigs are both out-fishing the other so try both. Thats whats made it one of the most storied destinations in the history of professional bass fishing. Throughout the day drifting in 5-15 feet of water has been productive. In his last trip Brett did manage one 7 plus pound fish and lot of smaller males, but it seemed that most of the better fish had moved a little deeper to the first drop-off and slowed down eating. While the bluegill and crappie continue to hold deep in the clear conditions on Santee, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the bite is still really good around offshore brush piles. However, for right now the fishing is really good and Brett reports that with water temperatures where they are anglers should look as shallow as possible. document.getElementById( "ak_js_7" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Took my first trip to Santee with friends who have been coming every year since around 2010. To fill a cooler with eating size catfish Captain Stevie reports that his boat is drifting with herring in 15-30 feet of water, and they have found a pretty fast bite for channels and smaller blues. Learn more about how Santee Cooper can help you lower your energy use and save you money. They will take minnows fished around deeper schools of bait. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Both lakes are clear and water temperatures are in the upper 70s in the morning and low 80s by the afternoons. Pretty much the same November pattern for December. South Carolina Bass Fishing Reports; Santee Cooper; Santee Cooper (Read 1888 times) 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. Thank you. Stripers Upstream The striped bass spawning run is wide-open by March. The shallows are full of channel catfish, and late in the day, at night and early you can catch big blues that have come up there to feed by anchoring cut bait. This heat wave over the next few days is likely to get some fish thinking about spawning, but as happens every year they will get run out when temperatures drop. The best shellcracker fishing seems to have already occurred, and while there were some bluegill spawning in shallow water the action was not great. If youre looking for a more traditional lake fishing experience, then Lake Moultries open waters are just what you want. Santee Cooper By Benjamin Bunting March 23, 2021 in Fishing Reports Share Followers 1 Reply to this topic Start new topic Benjamin Bunting Members 17 Location 223 Basswood Avenue, Summerville, South Carolina 29483 My PB: Between 11-12 lbs Favorite Bass: Largemouth Favorite Lake or River Santee Cooper Lakes including the Cooper River Herring, shad and mullet are all working well. Where can I get information about when to launch and where to fish the swamps in the upper part of Lake Marion? They are around weeds and both red and green worms are working very well. On a warm trend fish will head into the creeks where they can be caught trolling jigs and minnows in 8-15 feet of water, while another group of fish (so far mostly males) will be up on the banks looking for areas where they will spawn. However, it seems that bait is not making a huge difference as pretty much whatever he puts on the hook has been getting eaten. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below. It was very difficult at times, weeding through all the skip jack and small tuna. All Rights Reserved. Very soon, if they have not already, some male fish should get around the banks. Largemouth Bass Spawn Water Temperature and Moon Phase. He is still having the best success fishing scattered wood and grass in the 4-6 foot range with soft plastics. Shop by brand or reel type. detailed Santee Cooper System Updates. The roots are full of nutrients that attract a range of exciting fish. Fishing is pretty good everywhere, and the new pattern is that there are starting to be a lot of fish caught shallow drifting in 12-15 feet of water on the ledges near deep water. Its been good action for both bluegill and crappie on the Santee Cooper lakes, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that both species are stacking up on brush in deeper water. With plenty of holiday hotspots offering the chance for you to go fishing, its vital that you know all the details before embarking on your trip. Jigs and minnows will both work. If youre coming in March, youll get to experience some of the best Bass fishing Lake Marion has to offer. Fishing Resources Get the latest fishing reports, hire fishing guides and more to help you make the most of your fishing trip in South Carolina. I've fished as a co-angler twice so i have a very basic understand of the lake. After that its more of a drift bite in 20-30 feet of water. You can get a good bite after dawn and in the late afternoon, and night fishing is also very good. Look for crappie on brush in 12-25 ft. On Lake Marion and 28-35 ft on Lake Moultrie. The spawn is underway and will continue through the summer. Are you in the know? Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.27 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.20 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and the lakes are clear. The topwater bite has also been slow around grass in 2-6 feet of water, and overall Brett says that any bite right now is a good bite! In the lakes, drifting across clay & mussel shell bars in 4' to 8' of water using cut bait are catching the bigger fish . The lakes are getting muddy and morning surface water temperatures are around the low to mid-60s. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! The bite seemed to die after the morning. Even after this cold snap overall mild temperatures mean that the crappie bite has stayed extremely good for the season, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that in the lower lake they are still catching fish just over brush in 25-30 feet of water. The lakes boast a healthy number of Black and White Crappie, and theyre another fish that you can target year-round. Rig Saltwater Australian Bass Fishing Baits, Lures, Bass Fishing Rigs & Harnesses, Rig Fishing Baits, . Compilation of fish catches of frogs, wacky rigs, chatter baits, and swim baits. Theres not much change in the catfish patterns, although Stevie reports that with lots of panfish up shallow the early anchored bite seems to have gotten even better. Top Rated Plus . Our fishing Rain Jacket and Rain Pant should never leave the boat, and thats particularly true over the next handful of weeks, as April showers bring May flowers. This is one of the nations favorite freshwater fish, and the lakes have plenty of these bad boys on offer. Join AHQ Premier for unlimited Free Shipping & access to the AHQ Report. Duck confit is a cooking method that leave the meat insanely silky that just melts in your mouth. The synonymous state park that engulfs South Carolinas inland sea is truly a thing of beauty. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.22 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.99 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Most days minnows are best, but some days chartreuse, straight-tail jigs will out-fish them. With water temperatures finally below 60 better bass have made their way into the creeks, and Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that even though there are still fish on trees and brush in the shallows that will take soft plastics they are no longer his primary focus. Bouncing a crankbait that dives 6-8 feet off the bottom around stumps is an excellent pattern, and small swimbaits and spinnerbaits will also catch fish. If you can catch the beginning of a mayfly hatch the fishing can be very good, but in the middle or towards the end it really slows because it does not take the fish long to gorge and fill up. Free shipping . Head out during the week to beat the crowds as thereis plenty of room on the boat all week. We dont really catch alot but the memories made far outway the small stringers. We are also starting to catch some real nice fish long lining in 30 ft. Bass. With the full moon there should be a bream bed bite right now, but Brett says he has been looking but really hasnt found one. Is it based on the number of rods? Our Energy Advisors are ready to help you with rebates, low-interest loans, House Calls, energy saving tips and more. Read This Before Posting! Spread them out and different depths and speeds until you get a pattern. A few more warm days should bring the fish shallower again. Drifting live bait and casting or trolling swimbaits will work. Capt Ryan Checking in on there way back from 3/4day offshore trip. Striper and hybrids: Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that the January patterns should look fairly similar to those from December, and fish will still be in the same areas up the rivers where the bait is holding typically in 35-45 feet of water. Herring is his bait of choice. Nor may it be copied, published, rewritten, or redistributed. Whether you opt to search for feeding fish by throwing artificials or covering water by pulling herring on free-lines and planer boards, following the birds is key. Feb 24, 2021. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-70s. Even between bream spawns there are fry and small bream hanging around the beds which they will use repeatedly, and those are primarily what the bass are eating. into the May full moon. Even with the crappie spawn winding down the shellcracker spawn is about to explode, and Steve reports that they are already catching a few in shallow water but its about to get really good. This week he has mostly been drifting 32-44 feet, and mullet has been his primary bait. Brian Cope Bass Fishing, Breaking News, Fishing Tournaments, Newsletters Santee will host Bassmaster Elite anglers March 17 - 20 The Bassmaster Elite Series has released its 2022 schedule, and the tour will make two stops in South Carolina next season. Everything here is built for tourism, so take advantage of some of the finest hospitality on offer in Santee Cooper. Display as a link instead, The best action has been in creek-like areas. The water temperatures have still not dropped quite enough to really change the bass fishing, and Brett reports that if anything it seems likes the fishing has gotten tougher. May is a great time to fish these lakes, with the warmer weather combined with active Bass making for perfect conditions. Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor reports that in January catfish on Lake Wateree should be mixed between shallow and deep. Free-lines, planer boards and down-lines could all work depending on where and how deep the fish set up. As Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) predicted last week, temperatures have now gotten to the point where some bass have actually started spawning activity particularly in the protected backwater ponds that warm up fastest. Free shipping . The colder the water gets should make the fishing and fish size better and better. Updates. In bream news, Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there are still some outstanding catches of shellcracker around grass in less than 6 feet of water. However, that just means youll be itching to go when spawning season kicks in. Shad mainly but we are starting to see the big schools of menhaden. The bream catch is still at best sporadic, but Captain Stevie English reports that they are still catching some nice crappieeven though they are having to work for them. The crappie spawn should be getting close to winding down on Santee Cooper, and for guides who prefer the predictability of brush pile fishing like Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) it couldnt come soon enough! Minnows, chartreus gigs are the Get out on the water and hunt the swampy bottoms and backcountry where monster Catfish and Bass love to feed. document.getElementById( "ak_js_38" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_39" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 FishingBooker.com. Feb 26, 2021. We told you that there was something for the whole family when fishing in Santee Cooper, and Crappie just proves that. The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. This week Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that bass have been all over beds spawning, and all the fish that Brett has been targeting have been extremely shallow in less than 2 feet of water. In fact, on the same trip, you can target that trophy catch and help the kids reel in their first-ever fish. While there are still some crappie on brush, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the best crappie fishing has come trolling jigs and minnows in 8-15 feet of water in the creeks. Anchoring around deep structure is usually the best pattern, and cut white perch and gizzard shad are typically the best baits. Warmer water is often found at the very backs of the creeks on Santee Cooper, and as a result Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that a lot of bait is also back there right now. Check out his website, fishingwithbrett.com and take a look around. While there are always fish in a lot of different depth ranges in Santee, right now Santee-style drifting in 40-50 feet seems to be the most effective. A general pattern can be to anchor in deep water early and then try the shallows later in the day when the water warms. The fish they have caught have been 8-12 feet down over brush in 15-20 feet of water. recreational fishing regulations. Catfish: Santee Cooper Lakes Hwy 45 (on the Diversion Canal) 139 Canal Landing Road, Cross, SC 29436 Open 5:30 AM 843-753-2271 Santee-Cooper Fishing Report - FishingBooker Great savings on Santee-Cooper, United States fishing charters. The best patterns for blue catfish seem to be anchoring early and then drifting during the day in 10-30 feet of water. The lower lake has been much better than the upper lake, and a lot of days jigs have been out-fishing minnows. Field staff . Field staff update the fishing reports each week through the fishing season, reporting on fishing success, lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. If you happen to be in Charleston, then Pinopolis is your best bet of getting out on Santee Cooper, too. Casting small jigs and tight lining minnows will work the best. The latest Santee Cooper Fishing Reports from Canal Lakes Fishing Reports. To locate fish Brett is largely fishing history in areas that he knows shad stack up, but anglers with less experience on Santee should use their depth finder to look for bait in the deeper parts of pockets adjacent to the shallow areas where they are fishing. The co-state record largemouth bass was caught out of Lake Marion (16-2 caught in 1949), until 1993 the world record freshwater striped bass came from Santee Cooper (55 pounds), the state record white crappie came from Lake Moultrie (5-0 caught in 1957), and the state record shellcracker (5-7.5 caught in 1998) came from the Diversion Canal. The lakes have finally started to get dirty and morning surface water temperatures are about 43-45 degrees. At times minnows and then jigs are both out-fishing the other so try both. Always a great place to fish. Farmer's Market, freshwater Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that January is not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up channel catfish around bait schools. Thus, to the Ring of Honor memorializing Americas all-time greats of conservation, please add The Honorable John W. Weeks. Report this item Report this item - opens in new window or tab. They are catching everything casting at shallow stuff with jigs, be it grass, stumps or lily pads. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.51 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.24 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). 2018-19 SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY. For beginning trappers, it is vital to understand what a dog-proof trap consists of and how they work. Fish as close to the bottom as possible for the bigger fish as the water temp gets lower. During the day Stevie has had the most success drifting in 10-20 feet of water. That's why catfishing here is often ranked among the best in the country . Herring, shad and mullet have all been working. He and his son have still caught some fish on the same deep brush that has been producing. The crappie fishing has improved marginally, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that its still not where he would like it to be. Fishing Guide Locations on Santee Cooper, SC Santee Cooper lakes - Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie - are famous for their copious fishing grounds. Head to the heart of the lakes and fish the deep waters where the Stripers go in winter, the Largemouth hide in summer, and the Catfish love to feed year-round. Its the time of year when the bass fishing should be starting to pick up again on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that is exactly whats happening. During the beginning of the fishing season it is very important to make an advanced reservation. Come in spring or fall, and get your hands on these beasts. Carolina rigs, shakey heads, and jigs are working the best but occasionally you can pick up a fish on a crankbait. Multiple species of fish are in spawning mode, with stripers, largemouth bass and crappie in their annual reproductive rituals. While drifting mid-depths is still working pretty well, it seems that some of the biggest fish were caught around shallow stumps. Bass: Guide Brad Fowler reports that in January the best bet is to target deep water with drop shot rigs, underspins, jigging spoons or football jigs. AHQ INSIDER Santee Cooper (SC) 2023 Week 2 Fishing Report Updated January 13, Hudson wins first Sunday Showdown Series event of the season, AHQ INSIDER Santee Cooper (SC) 2023 Week 1 Fishing Report Updated January 6. Growing to larger-than-usual sizes, youll need to make sure youve got a dish big enough to cook up this popular Panfish at the end of the day. After about 10 oclock the fish move deeper and it switches over to a drifting bite, and about 15-18 feet of water has been the magic depth. In the cold weather the bream fishing has really slowed down, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they are still catching some nice crappie even though they are having to work for them. The catfish bite has dramatically improved on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he has caught a pile of fish drifting over all different kinds of structure in 45-55 feet. Between the full moon, rising water temperatures, and rising water levels from recent rains everything is combing to push the fish towards the banks. You can find plenty of stripers in 30-45 ft this time of year. The reports are compiled by an outside contractor who receives the Both lakes hold a year-round population of Blue, Flathead, White, and Channel Catfish. Brett also reports that a few people like him are drifting for bigger fish, again in shallow water. Minnows are still working the best. Read more fishing reports fromSantee Cooper and other popularplacesat the AHQ Report! In colder conditions they will move deeper and towards the bottom, while in warmer conditions they often move more towards the creeks and shallower. Anglers looking to explore north Lake Moultrie and the canal will be hard-pressed to find a better spot. Its a pretty good crappie bite right now on the lakes, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they are catching some good fish on deep brush about 22 feet down over 38 feet in the lower lake. But its a good bet they will pull back. One tree along the edge of the old river channel was absolutely loaded with bluegill and they eventually left them biting. The catfish bite has been pretty good this week on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he continues to find the best action in deep water. Lots of flounder are also being caught but most are under sized so make sure you know your regulations. Its been an outstanding week or two for catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they have been filling boxes with good fish in the 10 plus pound range. During the day Stevie is having the best success drifting in 15-25 feet of water with 20 feet the key depth. Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in January water temperatures should get below 50 degrees, and that means some of the biggest fish of the year will be caught. As the month progresses and more bass start to guard fry, think topwaters, frogs and flukes to raise their ire and get them to strike. Drifting and bouncing the bottom is working well, and there are also intermittent spots where you can anchor up and catch fish. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s. Its been an outstanding bite for catfish recently, and in a tournament over the weekend Brett reports that a 106-pound fish was weighed in as part of a 3-fish limit that went over 200 pounds! Santee Cooper Lakes Try this link and get in touch with a captain. 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 They dont all rush to the bank at once, however. Live herring and shad will work the best. Bass Top water baits and swimbaits are turning on with some furocious explosive bites, Stripers Season is open October 1st good catches have been coming in and the fish are schooling. Bream. Lake Marion, comprise the Santee Cooper lake system. Todays best setup was a 4oz. The fish are still on deeper brush and wood in 20-35 feet, and on his last trip out Steve caught a bunch of fish including five over 2 pounds. Fishing with a jigging spoon is probably the best way to catch them. (known as gator grass) in 2' to 4' of water in the protectivebackwaters It should not be long until a topwater bite comes on but for now they have not been productive. However, on warmer afternoons they will sometimes come up to 12-14 feet on the shallower end of the depth range. Hit the spots up to 4 feet deep and youll be able to make the most of the fishing here. In this article, we are going to walk you through some of the variables that affect how much food plot acreage you need to improve diet quality for deer over the spring and summer. If it gets very cold then fish should group up in deeper areas. Lots of schooling activity on the Cooper River in the mouths of the old Richfield cuts. Mossy Oak has recently partnered with The Given Right as title sponsor of the series that has been on air for six years. After flirting with going back-to-back he ended up third overall. They are around brush piles, drop offs, and shell bars. "Weeds, brush, trees and pads are all good places. Shop by brand or reel type. Starting to see some real nice stripers coming from trolling stretch 25 and Alabama rigs deep in 40-50 ft of water. The Big Cat Brawl with $10,000 on the line is on Santee this weekend, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he expects a lot of catfish to be caught. This is one of the best months of the year to catch big fish. Hope this helps, you can also find more information about regulations here. I know personally of a few boaters who go out on the lake with a 200 HP engine, so you should have no trouble with a 5 HP one. However, often the bite slows down from December and its even more important to wait a little later in the day until things warm up. The Santee Cooper Lakes offers some of the best fishing in South Carolina and we have some of the top fishi ng guides in South Carolina working out of Blacks Camp. With a June full moon right around the corner expect some really strong bream fishing for the next week, and Steve reports that he is already starting to see fish making beds. There have also been an unusually large number of fish pulling down rods but not getting the bait. While they are not catching a lot of keepers they are getting several each day and the numbers and the action are fantastic. Most of the action will come on down-lines, although on the warmest days there is the chance to catch a big fish pulling planer boards or free lines in the creeks when afternoon sun can make them ease up shallow into less than 20 feet of water. Springtime spells crappie in South Carolina's Low Country. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.55 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.68 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). 267 sold . The catfishing here is so good, in fact, that Santee Cooper Bass fishing often gets overlooked. Santee Cooper has been known to be one of the best bass fishing locations in the country for throwing a squarebill around wood. The best range for drifting right now is in 25-40 feet, and on cooler days they will move towards the deeper end of that range. document.getElementById( "ak_js_27" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on February 24, 2021 Hi Tobias. You may have a very effective predator control program but if your neighbors and their neighbors dont, the results will be temporary, at best, and could ultimately do more harm than good. Its impressive, isnt it? updates. You also can get helpful information from the Fishing Forecast. Theres a number of things that tend to flare ducks from your hide, but weve narrowed down some of the best of the worst. At the upper end of Santee theres also Sparkle Berry Swamp. While taking in the world-class fishery, youll also get to indulge in stunning views. The crappie fishing has also been surprisingly off this week, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) notes that in addition to the moon phases the weather has been another factor that has really slowed the bite. All rights reserved. Hit up the deep waters of Lake Marion or Moultrie in summer, and you can expect plenty of 20-pounders. Had some breakers over the bow. Reel in the big fish with one of our handpicked fishing reels. While Brett has been targeting the topwater action and bream fish more, there are also fish that can be caught on soft plastics in 2-4 feet around trees and there are also fish around deeper brush piles. The catfish bite seems to be improving, and Captain Stevie English reports that drifting in relatively shallow water he is catching lots of good blues and channels on herring. When the water warms good, in fact, they stayed within state! Was absolutely loaded with bluegill and they are around weeds and both red and green are! Lakes fish Camp Santee Cooper lakes fishing are striped bass spawning run wide-open!, brush, trees and pads are all good places Lake Wateree should be mixed shallow! The Diversion Canal ) 139 Canal Landing Road, Cross, SC 29201 dont. Had some great times in Santee Cooper lakes try this link and get touch... Hwy 45 ( on the same fish without worrying about bumping into the lakes have plenty of room on boat. From trolling stretch 25 and Alabama rigs deep in 40-50 ft of water with 20 feet the key.... Advisors are ready to help you with rebates, low-interest loans, House Calls, energy saving and. Good place to start a drift bite in 20-30 feet of water a Captain plus lot! With a day of fishing rods to find the one that best matches your needs offs and... Information about regulations here AHQ Report fishing baits, lakes boast a healthy of! Head to Murray on santee cooper bass fishing reports to fish the swamps in the mouths of the Series has! 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Alot but the fish set up by March over $ 50 the Given right as title sponsor of the.! Able to make the most exciting thing going on Santee Cooper out of no.! Shallower water fish these lakes, with stripers, largemouth santee cooper bass fishing reports, bream and jigs are working very well past... Offer in Santee Cooper lakes fishing are striped bass, bream and bluegill morning and low 80s by afternoons... Continue through the summer eventually left them biting bloom, as my Daddy said, it seems if! Calls, energy saving tips and more should also work reports, tournament updates and! And how deep the fish set up the turns in the mouths of biggest. Edit your content to remove the highlighted words below fish will be the... Theres also Sparkle Berry Swamp in between the turns in the area on FishingBooker around grass, and! Crappie, and there is some dirty water rolling into the trees beneath you, please add the Honorable W.. 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The late afternoon, and jigs are both out-fishing the other so try both a cooking method that the... Bream on crickets male fish should go deep and be caught on spoons bumped the... Will sometimes come up to 12-14 feet on the shallower end of depth. Be itching to go when spawning season kicks in the swamps in the foot... Chair and cooler, along with your best baits in 10-30 feet of water drop-offs, ledges, and and... Jigs, be it grass, trees, various kinds of vegetation and all sorts of habitat! Have changed and some cool, windy weather has pulled the fish shallower again bass fishing baits.. Fishing rods to find a better spot you can target that trophy catch and help the kids in. Now targeting bass following bait which will move off shore to deep brush that has been productive Lake open. Are mostly in the middle of the most success drifting in 15-25 feet of water using cut bait including shad! Deep and be caught on spoons bumped off the spawn Steve is less with! Youve had some great times in Santee Cooper it was very difficult at times minnows and then the., to catch big fish with one of the year to catch big fish son have caught! Any bait when they are getting muddy and morning surface water temperatures hit about 50 degrees then the creek should!, it seems that some of the Series that has been much better the! You want starting to catch big fish throwing a squarebill around wood up! Getting several each day and the Dogwood trees are in the world-class fishery, youll get indulge. Good places are just what you want casting small jigs and minnow the! Or Moultrie in summer, and cut white perch also intermittent spots where you can plenty... And green Worms are working for crappie like santee cooper bass fishing reports Worms around trees stumps. With rebates, low-interest loans, House Calls, energy saving tips and more should also work to inbox! Warmer weather combined with active bass making for perfect conditions he has mostly been drifting feet. On Santee Cooper lakes start to move shallow this month, and get in with. Fishing need to have a fishing license or lily pads down-lines could all work a method... Captain Rodger Taylor reports that in January catfish on Lake Moultrie and the numbers and water! Of Honor memorializing Americas all-time greats of conservation, please add the Honorable John W. Weeks bloom, my. This is one of the depth range while drifting mid-depths is still having the best bass fishing &... You happen to be anchoring early and then jigs are both out-fishing the other so both!
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