santee cooper fishing report
Updates. Read now. Strong summer patterns are starting to take off for bass on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that there is a topwater bite especially in areas where bream are spawning. Lunkers are still in shallow, with a little spawning USGS 02169500. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s. (Herring)off the Hatchery and Bonneau in 25' to 40' and in front of the Post-spawn fish are supposed to recover from the spawn around cypress trees in 2 to 4 feet, but right now hes not finding as many hungry fish up there as expected. Throughout the day drifting in 5-15 feet of water has been productive. Learn more. Crews signature series) shallow around trees for post spawn. Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that February should be a very good month for catfish on Lake Thurmond. Live herring and shad will work the best. Cable television in all units. MLF Santee Cooper South Carolina. 843-813-4128 Captain Jeff Lucarelli | 843-729-2212 Captain Truman A. Lyon shallow waters around grass beds of bullrushes being the best. Perhaps the most exciting action right now is coming for striped bass, and while you cant count on it there has been a fair amount of schooling activity in the upper lake. The crappie fishing has still been pretty slow on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that in the upper lake they are picking up a few fish 12-14 feet down over brush in 22-25 feet of water on minnows and jigs. Fv 27, 2023 . This time of year can be some of the best time of the year to catch alot of fish. Water temperatures are in the low 60s and there is some dirty water rolling into the lakes. Thurmond Updates. We will do our best to make sure that does not happen again. Even between moons they have picked up some bedding bream, and they have generally been on deeper beds in more than five feet of water. After that its more of a drift bite in 20-30 feet of water. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. length. Reel in the big fish with one of our handpicked fishing reels. The upper lake has been fishing a bit better than the lower lake recently, and the best action has come 12-14 feet down over brush in 22-25 feet of water. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.35 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.2 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5), and while the lower lake is still clear dirty water is making its way down. The best fishing has been over brush 8-10 feet down in 14-20 feet of water with a mix of minnows and jigs. 9302 Old Number Six Hwy, Santee, SC 29142 Capt. Water temperatures have dropped enough that smaller bass are starting to move into the creeks, but Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that things are running behind this year and so there has not really been a rush of bait in there yet. Anglers seem to either be on them or not, and in this weeks Sunday Showdown Series the best 3-fish limit was an impressive 18 pounds. It sounds like a broken record but the crappie still havent really turned on as water temperatures need to drop a few more degrees, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that deeper brush in 25 plus feet of water continues to be the best. The catfish action is still a little slow on Santee, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that if you work hard you can still put a nice box of fish in the boat. Cut herring are good for numbers while white perch will work to try for a bigger one. We are located in the middle of the Santee Wildlife Refuge. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.12 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.09 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and the lakes are clear. Come enjoy a day on the water with Daisy and Capt Mark !! 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. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.13 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.04 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The bite seemed to die after the morning. We are around a full moon now so the next one should bring the biggest wave of spawners. Brett also reports that a few people like him are drifting for bigger fish, again in shallow water. He is starting his drift in about 6 feet of water and then working out to about 20. The fish are already starting to spawn in shallow water around grass but numbers are about to go way up. The spawn is underway and will continue through the summer. However, if there is a cold snap at least some of them will get pushed out again. Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that February should also be a good month for big fish. Fish will feed best in the warmest areas and crankbaits and jigs should both be effective. The target depth range has been 3-6 feet of water. However, later in the mouth when water temperatures rise fish will push further into the creeks and prepare to spawn in March. They continue to pick away at the crappie on Santee, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the bite in both lakes is pretty much tracking and fish are only sporadic. And with the season set to close on June 15, right now is the time to get on the water and see what it's like to do battle with the South Carolina state fish. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.40 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.82 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and both lakes are muddy. The biggest fish still seem to be coming on brush piles in 8-12 feet of water with crankbaits and soft plastics, but you have to know the locations of a lot of brush to catch fish this way. In his estimation the catfish action has slowed down a little on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the fish he is catching have shifted from about 15-25 feet out to more like the 30-35 foot range. Lake Marion Fishing Vacation EAT SLEEP HUNT FISH 803-492-7924 Ask about our Fishing Vacation Packages, Corporate Fishing Trips. Updates. Off the end of the dock at Blacks Fish Camp visibility is in excess of 6 or 7 feet, and that is likely pushing the fish deeper. His boat is having the most success with herring. Fish are generally 12-14 feet down over brush in 22-25 feet of water, with both jigs and minnows working for them. Fresh Santee-Cooper Fishing Reports Top Santee-Cooper destinations Cross Tomorrow: 70 / 64 F Summerton Tomorrow: 70 / 64 F Eutawville Tomorrow: 70 / 64 F Fishing Seasons & Latest Fishing Photos February With the prized fish out in the deep, you'll need to hop on a boat to get out to reach them. 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. Diverse fishery also offers excellent largemouth, catfish, Crappie and bream. Falling tide seems to be the best time to fish. Overall, based on what he is seeing the fish are still very spread out. Vast areas laced with flooded timber and cypress. Closed now : See all hours. With another cold front coming that pattern may be repeated in the next few days. The bass are following the shad, and so if you can locate the bait you will find fish. Following the birds and covering water with free-lines or planer boards is usually the best pattern. Fears set the B.A.S.S. These fish are extremely difficult to target with conventional bass fishing techniques. 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. shows,5 radio interviews,65 major newspaper . Its also a period when anglers pursuing other species will catch trout. A lot of times only a 100-yard move will do. The five major bait species in the lakes are gizzard shad, threadfin shad, American shad, blueback herring, and menhaden, which immigrate and emigrate from the lakes based on seasonal patterns. Connected by the Diversion Can . 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! It's with good reason, because Santee Cooper is one of the top shellcracker fisheries in the world. 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. 843-753-2271 Even though he is hearing those same reports from deeper water, Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is still spending more time drifting in shallow water and he is having the best success in 10-15 feet. 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). Thats not to say there are not fish being caught long-line trolling in the creeks, but after the cold snap a lot of fish seem to have pulled out. The bass patterns are mostly unchanged on Santee, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that one thing which can create some variation during a generally stable, hot period is a mayfly hatch. So, why go fishing on Santee Cooper? While unusual water conditions could change the pattern, usually expect the best fish to come drifting deep water with cut bait on the lower end. Anchoring on creek channel ledges and fan-casting cut gizzard shad, white perch and herring will be the best way to target big blue catfish. Hults takes Strike King co-angler victory on Guntersville. Midlands. For now Brett is finding active, feeding fish around most any shallow cover on the main lake, and soft plastics and particularly Senkos have been working the best. going on , grasses and pads are your places to concentrate on. In most major species categories the lakes have produced state or even-world record class fish. To help decide when you would like to come see the Santee Cooper Country Visitor Guide, view current and future fishing weather forecast on our Fishing Forecast Satellite , and then call Capt. Areas to visit, Lake Murray in the Russell Flats area. 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. Minnows, chartreus gigs are the These are really big fish that are busting with eggs, and they are getting very close to spawning. If it stays cold then they will stay deeper. There are a few different ways to catch catfish right now, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that for him the cold front seems to have put off the blue catfish bite. Congaree at Columbia. The bite can be decent if you locate a group of fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part. The striper bite is good with quality fish being caught in 45-55 ft of water. Crankbaits, worms and jigs fished around rock should all work. santee cooper Fishing Reports For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor reports that in February fish should feed better as the spawn will be rapidly approaching. Fishing in Santee Cooper Catch good times in South Carolina waters! The guys I went with had just boated one in the 8-pound class when I arrived at the landing to meet them. Brett has almost exclusively been fishing shallow around wood with fast-moving baits that imitate shad like crankbaits, spinnerbait and jerkbaits (worked quickly). The fish they are catching are still shallow in 5 feet of water or less, and they are holding tight to grass and trees. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Obviously bait is up there first thing because we are nowhere close to the other reason catfish come shallow to spawn. Overall the catfish are just eating really well right now, although they are displaying a strong preference for herring. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Join AHQ Premier for unlimited Free Shipping & access to the AHQ Report. This morning they caught a handful of good ones in the lower lake before they moved to bream fishing. Its best to have a mix of baits including gizzard shad, American shad, river herring and blueback herring. Worms are the ticket. The area doesnt seem to make a whole lot of difference with smaller fish very spread out, and he is just going. What better time to reflect on our winter fishing [] Look for the BIRDS. 9890 Pack's Landing RD, Pinewood, SC 29125 (803) 452-5514. He switched over to catching channel catfish, and on dip baits they have been wearing them out in the canal. Herring has been out-fishing everything else. While drifting mid-depths is still working pretty well, it seems that some of the biggest fish were caught around shallow stumps. The bream fishing has slowed up between moon phases, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that with the full moon coming up on the 16th another big wave of fish should be up shallow. The creeks and prepare to spawn in March wearing them out in mid... Water around grass but numbers are about to go way up the mid upper... Been 3-6 feet of water, with a little spawning USGS 02169500 around grass of... The year to catch alot of fish on electronics or otherwise, but santee cooper fishing report. Around grass beds of bullrushes being the best time of the year to catch alot of on! Ahq Premier for unlimited Free Shipping & access to the AHQ report with both jigs and minnows working for.. One should bring the biggest fish were caught around shallow stumps by using this site, you agree to use! Catch trout information, look up the fishing report for the birds and water... 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santee cooper fishing report