But the world-class shellcracker fishing produces an overflow of anglers to the shallow sectors of both lakes. Join AHQ Premier for unlimited Free Shipping & access to the AHQ Report. The lakes are dingy in places but not muddy and morning surface water temperatures are about 51-54 degrees. There are still a ton of striped bass in the canal, and drifting blueback herring has been the preferred technique. 843-753-2271 Minnows for crappie and crickets for bream are out-fishing everything else. 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. Congaree at Columbia. 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. Crappie have spawned and moved out of shallow water to deeper Learn more. Between the full moon, rising water temperatures, and rising water levels from recent rains everything is combing to push the fish towards the banks. Fish are starting to pull up in the creeks where they can be found in 10-20 feet of water pulling jigs. The next new moon and then the June full moon may have more big bluegill shallow as well as some shellcracker. Click here for 30 day free trial! Bass: Guide Brad Fowler reports that in February the best bet is to target deep water with drop shot rigs, blade runners or football jigs. Fishing Guides The target depth range has been 3-6 feet of water. Conditions are still a little tough for bass on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the main pattern for getting bites is still fishing with soft plastics around trees, stumps and points. Boat rentals and fish guides are also available. 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. Much of the lake is muddy and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. Tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers should be effective and as the month progresses fish will move into the creeks. Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.81 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.51 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). They are still getting a lot of pull-downs but the fish wont commit as well. They will take both live bait and artificials and this is one of the best months of the year to catch big fish. Water conditions will determine whether fish are in the creeks or main lake. There is a little bit of shad spawn in the morning, and as always its over after about an hour. The lakes are extremely clear for Santee and morning surface water temperatures are about 61 degrees. Early in the month they will take minnows fished around deeper schools of bait, while later in the month they will be caught trolling in the creeks as they begin to stage for the spawn. 1000 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201 Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that February can yield some big fish on Lake Monticello, and anchoring around deep structure is usually the best pattern. Suspend over the fish with live bait of drift cut shad and herring with Santee cooper rigs in the deep channels. At night he has been anchoring in shallow water, and in the canal area he is looking for somewhere just out of the current when he sets anchor. The 5-foot range is a good starting point. With the warm front this bite may slow a bit as the shad may start to spread out more and fish may also start to roam, but they should still be in the same general areas. Senkos and soft plastics are Bretts go-to lures right now, and if there are windy, cloudy conditions he will pull out a spinnerbait. Morning surface water temperatures are in the 60s in many places but will drop this week. Its best to have a mix of baits including gizzard shad, American shad, river herring and blueback herring. About 3 feet of water has been the magic number for catching these fish. On the other hand the catfish are not a fan of the warm weather, and the bite has generally been erratic. On the last trip they managed a couple of 40-pound fish, a 30-, and so on. canal, cut bait, herring and gizzard shad are your best baits. Fishermen should keep in mind the effect of different temperatures in different parts of the lake. The lakes have finally started to get dirty and morning surface water temperatures are about 43-45 degrees. Customer Service. The action for catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes is very strong right now, and Brett reports that fish have moved a little deeper as water temperatures have dropped. This week the sweet spot has generally been 14-18 feet down over 20-35 feet of water. USGS Link. But its a good bet they will pull back. "Recognize that fishing may not be fast-paced during February when the water is still cold," he said. Crews signature series) shallow around trees for post spawn. Neither jigs nor minnows are working great but bring both since some days the fish express a clear preference. By Sunday when it got cold the females were mostly run off, although the bucks continued to roam around the shallows. We use cookies on our website to give you the best shopping experience. Inky is one or the most well known & respected bass guides on the Santee Lakes and has been offering guide services for 35 years Inky is also a USCG licensed guide & a member of the SCCGA. Steve also reports that they are picking up pretty good numbers of bluegill in deep water, but the better fish are starting to be caught on shallow brush. 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. 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. Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.77 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.59 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). However, on warmer afternoons they will sometimes come up to 12-14 feet on the shallower end of the depth range. When the water cools then the brush bite for bream should pick up, and the canal should fill up with shellcracker. Continue to look for the birds and bait to locate fish. Right now minnows are working better most days, but you should also have a chartreuse, straight-tail jig ready just in case. 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. 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. At times fish can also be found schooling. shallow waters around grass beds of bullrushes being the best. Or enjoy Free Shipping on orders over $50! The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. Bream. There is also still a good anchored bite early and then a good deeper drift in 25-40 feet of water. However, by the end of January many of the better fish were already starting to move off the deep brush, and this month fish should continue to make their move shallower. recreational fishing regulations. The fish are on shallow flats in 7-11 feet of water and they are feeding on mussels. Thornhill said a cold-weather mindset will help fisherman catch more bass at Santee Cooper during February, in addition to understanding the how, when and where. Lake Marion, comprise the Santee Cooper lake system. The lakes are joined by the 6 mile long Diversion Canal to form a system with 160,000 acres of water and 450 miles of shoreline spanning parts of 5 South Carolina counties Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Sumter. Striper and hybrids: Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that the February bite will start off similar to January with fish part-way up the rivers in 35-45 feet on the bottom. We're having some really good trips lately. 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. The crappie fishing is basically fair right now, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that while they did catch 6 or 7 nice fish off one brush pile generally they are picking up fish in ones and twos. Fishing live bait on Santee-Cooper is an excellent wintertime tactic. Both lakes are clear and water temperatures are in the upper 70s in the morning and low 80s by the afternoons. 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. sprouts steel cut oats, bulk; godzilla and kong rise of the titans addon recreational fishing regulations, Report Pinewood. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! If those arent working then Brett suggests looking a little deeper with Ned rigs and shakey heads in the same areas. santee cooper bass fishing reports. 326 Little Brooke Lane It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. 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. 7/15 Overall the fish have moved shallower, and first thing anchoring in shallow water is the best pattern. Button Text All RV Sites have plenty of parking for vehicles and boats. If anything it has picked up in the past week. 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. Areas to visit, Lake Murray in the Russell Flats area. You can still catch some crappie on deep brush in 20-35 feet, but the numbers are dwindling. Cut white perch and gizzard shad are typically the best baits. Learn More We are at about the mid-point of the crappie spawn on Santee Cooper, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that he approximates that half of the fish have spawned while another half still have to go. They are catching everything casting at shallow stuff with jigs, be it grass, stumps or lily pads. Its also a period when anglers pursuing other species will catch trout. Carolina rigs, shakey heads, and jigs are working the best but occasionally you can pick up a fish on a crankbait. Popular with anglers looking for Crappie fishing charters in Santee-Cooper. His boat is having the most success with herring. However, they are really having to work for them, and the bite usually gets tougher in the heat, so before long he will be taking a break from the crappie. If you're not familiar with the lake . Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports it was a really good January for striper, and they are hopeful the fish dont get too scattered in February. The striper bite is good with quality fish being caught in 45-55 ft of water. February 2. null . In the lakes he is looking for a ledge or stumps or something else that will provide the fish with a place to hold. Despite recent rains the lakes remain relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. The best action is coming drifting deep water in 30-35 feet where there are depth changes like hills, ledges and humps. Creek channels are a great place to start. Herring, shad and mullet have all been working for his boat. The crappie fishing has slowed a little more, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the fish are still pretty tough to locate. 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. 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. Remember the limit is 3 per personwith a length being 26" He has found that small blueback herring are working better than chicken, although both will get bites. Some schooling activity being reported on the lakes early morning and later int he evening. If it stays cold then they will stay deeper. The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is clear. Diverse fishery also offers excellent largemouth, catfish, Crappie and bream. Already have an account? They provide a home to various fish species, especially Catfish. South Carolina freshwater santee cooper Fishing Reports For up-to-date information, look up the fishing report for the water of your choice. Depending on what they are on Brett will then turn to jerkbaits, Carolina rigs, swimbaits or spinnerbaits. 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. (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. 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. 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. , on warmer afternoons they will take both live bait of drift cut and! 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