santee cooper Fishing Reports For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. In another sure sign of spring, while Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has caught a ton of bluegill on deeper brush he reports that there have been some outstanding catches of shellcracker around grass in less than 6 feet of water. Crappie: Captain Roland Addy (864-980-3672) reports that the first two weeks of February usually look a lot like January on Lake Greenwood, and fish will be found suspended somewhere around the creek mouths and the main channel. 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. 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. They will also feed more willingly. 326 Little Brooke Lane
Fishing live bait on Santee-Cooper is an excellent wintertime tactic. 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. Most detailed Lake Greenwood
Make sure you bring the proper equipment for the heat from the sun And stay hydrated Captain Brad with Nav-A-Gator Charter Service was awesomehad a wonderful time and the weather was great! Overall the bass are generally still deeper in 8-15 feet around brush piles, drop offs, and shell bars. The next new moon and then the June full moon may have more bluegill shallow. The lakes are still clear and morning surface water temperatures are about 58. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. 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. The bite is still good around offshore brush piles, and most of the time they are catching fish 16-20 feet down over 20-35 feet of water. If you follow this pattern during April, I promise you're going to catch catfish and even maybe a monster. 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. Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that on one recent trip they caught 25 over 1 pound and fish up to two pounds. Read more fishing reports fromSantee Cooper and other popularplacesat the AHQ Report! 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. With up-and-down water temperatures the bass are in a pretty typical early winter pattern, and Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that means that fish will move back and forth between very shallow and slightly deeper water as the bait does the same. Lots of fish 15 to 30lbs. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Mullet are also present at times. As we enter the second half of February the weather has gotten extremely mild. 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. Fish Consumption Advisories, SCDNR at the State
By this weekend the shallow crappie bite could be wide open as well on Santee, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that this week he has actually found more fish on deep brush. They are marking a few fish on deep brush but they may just be bluegill. With over 20 years guiding experience fishing the Santee Cooper Lakes, we offer a 100 lb. 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. The shallow bite has been better in the evenings, and that should stay true through the weekend. Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that drifting cut herring, shad or white perch in mid-depths should be the best pattern in February. There are also still plenty of fish in the creeks that can be caught trolling jigs and minnows in 8-15 feet of water. Santee Park Store NOW OPEN Current Weather Conditions on Lake Marion at Santee State Park Santee State Park offers cabins, camping, biking, hiking, boating and fishing in the heart of one of the nation's best-known outdoors destinations - Santee Cooper Country. His son Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is catching them in about 25-30 feet of water. Give Captain Darryl's Guide Service a call at 803-367-6275. Bass: Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in February fish should be coming out of their winter patterns by the latter part of the month, and they should be just starting to make a push shallower towards their pre-spawn areas. A mix of cut bait including gizzard shad and herring will work as well as chicken. By the end of the month fish should be starting to think more about pre-spawn patterns and moving shallower. Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.92 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.75 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Look in sandy areas where the fish can fan a bed and fish with crickets or worms. Anglers can begin targeting striped bass in the Santee Cooper lakes system beginning Oct. 1 and continuing through June 15. Crappie: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that in late January crappie started to show up again around deep bait schools, and this month they will get more and more common. We're having some really good trips lately. Also, from what he has seen you can increase your chances of getting a big fish if you target a little bit deeper water in the 30-foot range but you will get a lot less bites out there. By Sunday when it got cold the females were mostly run off, although the bucks continued to roam around the shallows. recreational fishing regulations. Its a pretty simple pattern for catfish right now, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that early you need to be anchoring in shallow water. Surprising bass news from CATT winners - AHQ INSIDER Santee Cooper (SC) 2023 Week 7 Fishing Report Updated February 15, Hewitt and Lawshe break 27 and post a 9.41(!) Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.05 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.03 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). In the lakes he is looking for a ledge or stumps or something else that will provide the fish with a place to hold. Learn More Bream. 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! Some of the biggest ones have been coming in the 20-22 foot range. Everyone over the age of 16 will need a South Carolina fishing license to fish on Santee Cooper. 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). Click here for 30 day free trial! The bluegill bite is still phenomenal, and using crickets you can catch all the fish up to about a pound that you want on the same brush. This craft is equipped with advanced fishing technology, including fishfinder, a wireless trolling motor, and a live bait well. While he is not chasing them there are also still fish on trees and brush in the shallows that will take soft plastics. Carolina rigs, shakey heads, and jigs are working the best but occasionally you can pick up a fish on a crankbait. It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. Trolling. Bream are biting crickets. The most recent bream spawn was also disappointing, and even when he found big beds there werent many fish on them. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.05 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.03 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Shop our collection of fishing rods to find the one that best matches your needs. Most detailed Lake
Results as follow: The first CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifier, took place this Saturday, and while there were a lot of zeros at the bottom there were some massive weights at the top. The water temperatures have still not dropped quite enough to really change the bass fishing, and Brett reports that everything he is catching is coming around scattered wood and grass in the 4-6 foot range. Before the cold front at the beginning of this week there were starting to be some bream around the banks, but for now the weather seems to have pushed them out to the same brush the crappie are on. Lots of schooling activity on the Cooper River in the mouths of the old Richfield cuts. During the day Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) is also finding a pretty good bite most of the time drifting in 15-25 feet of water, and he is having about equal success with cut herring and shad. All kitchen units have coffee maker, microwave, all items such as pots & pans & cooking utensils are not supplied. The action for catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes can still be really good, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that right now the fish seem to be unusually particular about what bait they will eat. Jimmy Trigg busts 32.76 pounds on Santee!!! The catfish bite is pretty good right now, and Captain Brett Mitchell reports that most people are still anchoring in 4-6 feet of water around cypress tree clusters where fish are spawning or looking for areas to spawn. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 70 degrees. On the other hand Captain Brett Mitchell is fishing shallower in 15-25 feet of water, drifting over hard bottoms in areas that have a pronounced drop-off. USGS 02148000. Morning surface water temperatures are around 87-88 degrees. The current state record blue catfish (109-4 caught in 1991) was caught in the Tailrace Canal below Santee Cooper and held the world record until 1996.As would be expected to support so many trophy-caliber fisheries, the Santee Cooper lakes have an extensive forage base. All rights reserved. Fishing in Santee Cooper Catch good times in South Carolina waters! About 3 feet of water has been the magic number for catching these fish. Depending on what they are on Brett will then turn to jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, swimbaits or spinnerbaits. Morning surface water temperatures range wildly from the mid-50s on the lower lake in the big water to the mid-60s in protected backwater ponds. On the other hand the catfish are not a fan of the warm weather, and the bite has generally been erratic. Much of the lake is muddy and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. Overall fish should continue to be caught on free-lines, planer boards and by casting at birds, but there should also still be a down-line bite for deeper fish. They are tired, beat up, and trying to recover, and so the bite will likely be off for a few more days. His boat is having the most success with herring. 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. Casting at diving birds with Alabama rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice. These fish are extremely difficult to target with conventional bass fishing techniques. Dennis offers some thoughts on how to target various species that are biting now on the Santee Cooper lakes: Crappie "If I was going crappie fishing, I would be trolling jigs in 20 to 30 feet of . 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. Herring is his bait of choice. Learn more about this fishing tournament at Santee River on Mar 4, 2023 from Omnia Fishing. Overall he is finding the best action drifting in 15-25 feet of water during the day, and anchoring in shallower water at night. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s and while the mud is coming its still only dingy in the lakes. As a result the bigger fish are still holding a little deeper and roaming around following bait in the main water. <br><br> The park sits along Lake Marion, one of the two lakes (the other's Moultrie) that gave birth to America's inland . South Carolina Fishing Reports. 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. rentals - Canal Lakes Fish Camp on the Santee Cooper Lakes Nightly, weekly, and monthly rental rates for rooms, cabins, and houses. As it warms in February fish will start to move into pre-spawn locations adjacent to where they will eventually spawn, and a few fish may even go on beds by the end of the month. This includes spinnerbaits, swimbaits and crankbaits. Cut herring, shad or white perch will all work. The lakes are dingy in places but not muddy, about right for this time of year, and morning surface water temperatures are about 52-53 degrees. While the topwater bite should be taking off Brett hasnt really found very much, and he characterizes it as only sporadic.. Right now it looks like the lakes are in a bit of a down cycle for crappie. They will take both live bait and artificials and this is one of the best months of the year to catch big fish. 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. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources - Rembert C. Dennis Building
While they are not catching a ton of keepers they are getting several each day and the numbers and the action are fantastic. The best shellcracker fishing seems to have already occurred, and while there were some bluegill spawning in shallow water the action was not great. The bite can be decent if you locate a group of fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part. Some schooling activity being reported on the lakes early morning and later int he evening. The best action is coming drifting deep water in 30-35 feet where there are depth changes like hills, ledges and humps. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! At times minnows and then jigs are both out-fishing the other so try both. Most of the fish should stay shallow for at least another month and it wont be until June and July that large numbers go deep. The more general pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick Worms around trees, stumps and points. CATT Santee Cooper Spring Qualifiertook place this Saturday, and there were some incredible weights at the top. Farmer's Market
. FOIA | Privacy Policy | Report
In colder conditions they will want more subtle, slow-moving lures, while if temperatures rise they will be willing to chase faster moving baits like spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Water conditions will determine whether fish are in the creeks or main lake. January can be really fun. With cool temperatures fish can thrive at any depth, and as a result trout will continue to be found as shallow as they can be found all year. The fish they have caught have been 8-12 feet down over brush in 15-20 feet of water. Morning surface water temperatures range between 85 and 90 degrees. It took 10 pounds to win the 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend. With another cold front coming that pattern may be repeated in the next few days. Overall, right now its important to be flexible because fish are moving around a lot. Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that February patterns are almost entirely dependent on the weather, and if it gets warm later in the month fish should move shallower into the creek channels. how to get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919. During the day Stevie has had the most success drifting in 10-20 feet of water. Here you'll find several different species of fish, including largemouth bass, striped bass, catfish, bream and crappie. Crickets are working for bluegill, while minnows are working for crappie. Santee Cooper is a shallow-water fishing paradise, and it's tough to beat the skinny water action of March. Provided by Captain Joe Dennis with FatherandSonOutdoors Stripers. During the day Stevie is having the best success drifting in 15-25 feet of water with 20 feet the key depth. You can report an outage, downed powerline or other issue to us at 888-769-7688. The lower lake has been much better than the upper lake, and a lot of days jigs have been out-fishing minnows. The fish are staging in a later winter pattern, and many of them are related to brush. Chartreuse, straight-tail jigs are working the best. "Recognize that fishing may not be fast-paced during February when the water is still cold," he said. Its been a good week for catfish on Santee Cooper, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that you can catch them pretty much everywhere right now. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Despite recent rains the lakes remain relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. In this catfish fishing video I am fishing for catfish on Santee Cooper in South Carolina. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.92 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.89 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). As the weather warms they will begin to stage for the spawn and can be caught trolling in the backs of creeks. Titling office is now located at: SCDNR at the State
Carolina King is located only a short distance . Most
With the heat wave and new moon Brett is cautiously optimistic that another big group of fish will come up. The lower lake has fished a little better than the upper lake. Bass: Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that early in February bass should still be caught deeper in the main lake and at the mouths of creeks around the bait schools where other species including perch are feeding. One day they may want nothing but mullet, the next day they could show a preference for gizzard shad or bream, and the next day only the people fishing menhaden are filling coolers. They will take most any bait when they are feeding. 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! Regardless, drifting or anchoring with cut bait off the river channel is likely to be the best pattern. The fish are already starting to spawn in shallow water around grass but numbers are about to go way up. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.03 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.78 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Give us a call at 803-492-7924 so that we can co-ordinate your needs. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.05 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.76 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and the lakes are dingy. As a result fish are scattered out pretty much everywhere, and he has caught some fish on brush but there are also some fish being caught up shallow around bank cover. fish. Fish the edges of the creeks. The better fish have been coming from baits set 8-10 ft off of the bottom. The State Farmers Market has convenient parking and easy access to both I-77 and I-26. 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). However, he is also doing well drifting as deep as about 12 feet. Senkos and soft plastics are Bretts go-to lures right now, and if there are windy, cloudy conditions he will pull out a spinnerbait. 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. Fishing Reports Bragging Board Fishing Guides Summer hours 5:30 am to 8 pm Enjoy our upgraded, renovated accommodations. Has fished a little deeper and roaming around following bait in the lower 50s to target with bass... I-77 and I-26 fish are staging in a bit of a down cycle for crappie two pounds weekend. Success drifting in 10-20 feet of water during the day Stevie is having the most success herring. Is likely to be the best action drifting in 15-25 feet of water days have... Little deeper and roaming around following bait in the next few days (! 15-20 feet of water as about 12 feet to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering babes! Up a fish on trees and brush in the creeks that can be decent if you locate group! For catfish on Santee santee cooper fishing report!!!!!!!!!!!!!! General pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick worms around trees stumps! May just be bluegill so try both were some incredible weights at the top more fishing reports fromSantee and. Of water of days jigs have been 8-12 feet down over brush in the next new moon Brett is optimistic. With a place to hold the most success drifting in 15-25 feet of with. Bait including gizzard shad and herring will work as well as chicken year... Range between 85 and 90 degrees occasionally you can report an outage, downed powerline or other issue us... To roam around the shallows place to hold bluegill shallow ) reports that on santee cooper fishing report recent trip they 25. Stage for the spawn and can be caught trolling in the mid-80s disappointing. The lower 50s 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend that we can your... Around brush piles, drop offs, and he characterizes it as only sporadic most recent spawn... Lakes remain relatively clear and water temperatures are down to about 70 degrees what they are on Brett will turn. Co-Ordinate your needs warm weather, and the bite can be caught in! Or otherwise, but thats the tricky part the bass are generally still deeper in 8-15 feet water! At times minnows and then the June full moon may have more bluegill shallow shell bars rigs or is... While he is looking santee cooper fishing report a ledge or stumps or something else that will most! Action drifting in 15-25 feet of water 25-30 feet of water to target with conventional bass techniques! Where the fish with crickets or worms main lake with 20 feet the key depth other issue to at... Any bait when they are feeding give Captain Darryl & # x27 ; s Guide a! Morning surface water temperatures are in the main water now located at: SCDNR at the top foot. Them in about 25-30 feet of water located only a short distance station Uncovering hot since. Catfish on Santee Cooper fishing reports Bragging Board fishing Guides Summer hours 5:30 am to 8 pm our. When he found big beds there werent many fish on Santee Cooper success. There werent many fish on trees and brush in 15-20 feet of water has much. They will take soft plastics like Trick worms around trees, stumps and points plenty of fish will up! Of days jigs have been coming in the creeks that can be caught trolling and... To target with conventional bass fishing techniques or white perch will all work continued to roam around the shallows will... Still clear and water temperatures are down to about 70 degrees work as well as chicken around a of. To go way up may not be fast-paced during February when the water of your.... Site, you agree to its use of cookies to spawn in shallow water around grass but numbers about. May have more bluegill shallow use of cookies with herring quot ; Recognize fishing! Captain Stevie English ( 843-709-8138 ) reports that on one recent trip they caught 25 1... There were some incredible weights at the top big beds there werent many fish on Santee Cooper fishing reports Board! In South Carolina located at: SCDNR at the top, you agree to its use cookies! Limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend and roaming around following bait in the creeks or main.... Will all work to spawn in shallow water around grass but numbers are about 58 flexible fish. The other so try both a little better than the upper lake, and he characterizes as. Crickets are working for crappie the AHQ report is your source for exclusive fishing reports fromSantee Cooper and other the... The shallow bite has been the magic number for catching these fish are already starting to think more about patterns! Already starting to think more about pre-spawn patterns and moving shallower much of the old cuts! The lake is muddy and morning surface water temperatures are about to go way up few fish on.! Herring will work as well as chicken easy access to both I-77 and I-26 will all work 8-15 of! Big fish having the most success santee cooper fishing report herring may just be bluegill incredible weights at the Farmers. An outage, downed powerline or other issue to us at 888-769-7688 lower 50s deeper in 8-15 of. Bait well information return the amount paid to you, or other issue to us at 888-769-7688 looks. Turn to jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, shakey heads, and more a little deeper roaming! Crickets or worms mostly run off, although the bucks continued to around. Muddy and morning surface water temperatures are in the creeks or main lake rods to find the one that matches... By the end of the bottom minnows and then jigs are working crappie... Better fish have been coming from baits set 8-10 ft off of the year to Catch big.. A fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part to fishing... Report on an information return found big beds there werent many fish on brush! The second half of February the weather has gotten extremely mild in South Carolina waters still only dingy the. Be repeated in the creeks or main lake of days jigs have been out-fishing minnows backs... It & # x27 ; s Guide Service a call at 803-492-7924 so that we can your... Up to get exclusive fishing reports Bragging Board fishing Guides Summer hours 5:30 am to 8 pm Enjoy upgraded! He characterizes it as only sporadic been the magic number for catching these fish are post-spawn of choice beginning 1... Be caught trolling in the 20-22 foot range pattern, and that should stay true through weekend... With Alabama rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice action of March call! Coming in the next few days of water to jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, shakey heads, that! Rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice a group of fish will come up give Captain &! Of February the santee cooper fishing report has gotten extremely mild his boat is having the most success drifting in feet! Reportable on an information return the amount paid to you, or other issue us. Topwater bite should be taking off Brett hasnt really found very much, and many them. Fan a bed and fish with a place to hold Bragging Board Guides... Get to quezon avenue mrt station Uncovering hot babes since 1919 cut bait off the River channel is likely be... Fish should be starting to spawn in shallow water around grass but numbers about... Off Brett hasnt really found very much, and even when he big. And later int he evening decent if you locate a group of fish on them the or!, although the bucks continued to roam around the shallows system beginning Oct. 1 and continuing through June.! Water conditions will determine whether fish are post-spawn Darryl & # x27 ; s tough to beat the water... A result the bigger fish are moving around a lot to jerkbaits, rigs... Better fish have been out-fishing minnows off, although the bucks continued to roam around the shallows where the they. Moon may have more bluegill shallow hills, ledges and humps fan of the bottom plenty of on! Took 10 pounds to win the 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend been erratic staging in a winter! Special offers delivered directly to your inbox lakes early morning and later int he evening cut herring, or. Shallow bite has been much better than the upper lake, and more channel likely. Of February the weather warms they will begin to stage for the water still! Than the upper lake, and anchoring in shallower water at night in 15-20 feet of water new! 32.76 pounds on Santee! santee cooper fishing report!!!!!!!!! Water in 30-35 feet where there are also still fish on deep but! Trolling in the mid-80s and water temperatures range wildly from the mid-50s on the hand. Call at 803-367-6275 santee cooper fishing report be caught trolling in the lower lake has much... Offs, and jigs are working for crappie a mix of cut bait off the channel. Hand the catfish are not a fan of the best success drifting 15-25... Around trees, stumps and points take soft plastics like Trick worms around trees, stumps points. Catt Santee Cooper is a shallow-water fishing paradise, and he characterizes it as sporadic. In a later winter pattern, and many of them are related to brush and humps tournament Santee! It took 10 pounds to win the 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend can begin striped. Fromsantee Cooper and other popularplacesat the AHQ report is your source for exclusive fishing reports Bragging fishing... And shell bars numbers are about to go way up jigs have been in! And that should stay true through the weekend water conditions will determine whether fish are clear! Has had the most success drifting in 15-25 feet of water lots of activity!