The more general pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick Worms around trees, stumps and points. Drifting mid-depths has not been productive, although that could change as temperatures settle into winter patterns. 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. 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). Updates. That's what's made it one of the most storied destinations in the history of professional bass fishing. Santee Cooper in mid-March is some of the best fishing in the country. 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. Congaree at Columbia. At times fish can also be found schooling. I finished in top 10 in serveral tournaments. Fishing in Santee Cooper Catch good times in South Carolina waters! Everything he is catching is coming around scattered wood and grass in the 4-6 foot range. Overall weights were a little down in the Sunday Showdown Series this weekend, and while there were a few good bass caught Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that . The bass are following the shad, and so if you can locate the bait you will find fish. One day the fishing will be good and the next day it will be slow, but overall the best fishing is coming in the upper lake. While generally Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is fishing the same depth range and sometimes even deeper, he does add that at night there has been a shallow anchoring bite reported. Crappie: Little River Guide Service reports that February is one of the best months of the year for catching big fish. Both lakes are clear and water temperatures are in the upper 70s in the morning and low 80s by the afternoons. They provide a home to various fish species, especially Catfish. Known together as the Santee Cooper lakes (formally the Santee Cooper Hydroelectric and Navigation Project), Lakes Marion and Moultrie are located in the outer coastal plain to the southeast of South Carolina between the cities of Columbia and Charleston. And, few lakes in the country can rival the. 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. The bite can be decent if you locate a group of fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part. 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. It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. Bass: Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that in February fish will still be in steep areas with access to deep water to start the month, but as it gets later they will start to move towards pre-spawn locations and feed up. 8888. The fish only wanted soft plastics worked slowly and they were just out from the areas where they had been spawning. 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. In the lakes, drifting across clay &mussel shell been reported catching them on Spooks and Pencil Poppers. Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Reports | Santee Cooper Country Fishing Reports (803) 854-2131 February Fishing Report. Yesterday made it in the 80's and one cannot help but think that spring is around the corner. Crappie: Captain Bill Plumley reports that at the beginning of February fish are most likely to be found around deeper docks on jigs and minnows, but if temperatures warm then later in the month they should be caught on creek ledges as they start to move up. Front row cabin with either jon boat or pontoon boat rigged for fishing, including depth finder, rod holders and all Coast Guard equipment. Its a tale of two lakes with the catfish, and Captain Stevie English reports that in the upper lake action has been really slow for him while the fishing in the lower lake has been good. 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). For shellcracker use worms while bluegill prefer crickets and worms. Regardless, drifting or anchoring with cut bait off the river channel is likely to be the best pattern. 2018-19 SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY. Cut perch and chicken have both been working about the same for him. 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. Fish are about to start moving shallow. Muddy water made the lake very tough towards the end of January, but if the water clears expect improvement for that reason alone. 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. Between the full moon, rising water temperatures, and rising water levels from recent rains everything is combing to push the fish towards the banks. Inky has been promoting "Santee Cooper Country" and its bass fishing for many years. Some days you find the fish biting and fill the box, and other days you struggle. Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that February should be a very good month for catfish on Lake Thurmond. Jefferies Dam in 50' has also been productive. Their depth will vary, and the best way to target them is with a double minnow rig fished vertically. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.22 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 75.2 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Bass: Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in February fish will still be concentrating on shad, but what lures they will be willing to eat will depend on water temperature. Casting at diving birds with Alabama rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice. Try Santee Cooper tailraces for great shad, herring action Jeff Burleson Featured, Freshwater Fishing Roe shad up to 4-1/2 pounds are biting in the Cooper River tailrace below Lake Moultrie for fishermen using light tackle. Light tackle, tiny lures producing great catches during annual run He is fishing soft plastics in and around spawning coves, and pitching baits at shallow structure. The lower lake has been much better than the upper lake, and a lot of days jigs have been out-fishing minnows. Bass: Veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Greenwood reports that in February bass will start to move shallower due to seasonal factors, and they should start to get into the vicinity of their pre-spawn locations. 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. Santee Cooper Fishing Report by Ray Sedgwick Crappie & Bream Crappie steadily moving into deeper water on creek chanels and brush piles.. Bream and shellcracker are being caught in 12 feet of water in the Canal with night crawlers (cut in small pieces) Catfish Most
Fish will often be adjacent to steep banks and 8-15 feet of water, but the best concentration of catchable fish is shallower in 4-6 feet of water. These include around grass, trees, and wood. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s and while the mud is coming its still only dingy in the lakes. Look for the BIRDS. The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is still clear in places. He and his son have still caught some fish on the same deep brush that has been producing. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-70s. into the May full moon. His boat is having the most success with herring. There are also a few fish being caught on brush piles, but the majority of the fish seem to be suspended offshore where they are chasing bait. Santee Cooper 30 January, 2023 Read more But the world-class shellcracker fishing produces an overflow of anglers to the shallow sectors of both lakes. While he is still fishing soft plastics around trees right now, very soon fish should start to follow shad into the creeks and he will be getting on more of a shad bite. For employment verification, contact Santee Cooper Human Resources via fax at 843-761-4191 or call 843-761-8000 ext. 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). Catfish are moving into the upper and lower ends of the February Fishing Report. The bass on Santee Cooper are doing exactly what they are supposed to doing, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that they have been catching fish that are chasing shad in the backs of pockets. Learn More Live Chat. gas, RVsitesand lodging if you decide to stay overnight. It should take a minimum of 31 or so pounds of bass to lead the first day and no less than 80-85 to win. Minnows and crickets are out-fishing everything else. We are also starting to catch some real nice fish long lining in 30ft. 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. Luckily the catfish bite has been really good on Santee Cooper, and both Steve and his son Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) report that they are filling boxes with fish pretty quickly. Live bait fishing They are still getting a lot of pull-downs but the fish wont commit as well. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. In my "Glory Days" I competed as an ESPN Bassmaster Angler. Overall he is still catching fish in 25-50 feet of water, although other anglers are fishing shallower. Earlier most of the shallow fish were in the ponds but now they are everywhere. Shop by brand or reel type. When water temperatures hit about 50 degrees then the creek bite should really turn on. This time of year can be some of the best time of the year to catch alot of fish. The two reservoirs cover over 170,000 acres combined, plus a 6-mile . 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. When you can find shallow fish stacked up they will really feed. Bass: Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that there will be a number of variables that affect the bite in February, but as of the beginning of the month low water levels and muddy conditions have somehow combined to create an outstanding bite both shallow and deep for several weeks. These fish can be caught casting a jig or with a minnow under a cork. Trolling numbers have been a bit down this week but that will also work. Most detailed Santee Cooper System Updates Mountains Area Lake Jocassee Bass: Tournament angler Joe Anders reports that on Lake Jocassee in February the fish will still be deep, and they are mostly likely to be suspended in the channels. They are tired, beat up, and trying to recover, and so the bite will likely be off for a few more days. The guys I went with had just boated one in the 8-pound class when I arrived at the landing to meet them. 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. The fish are staging in a later winter pattern, and many of them are related to brush. 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. Crappie and white perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in February fish will still be set up in the front sections of creeks in deep water to start the month. Fishing live bait on Santee-Cooper is an excellent wintertime tactic. In addition, some rivers typically supply some fantastic crappie action. January can be really fun. 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 next new moon and then the June full moon may have more bluegill shallow. Much of the lake is muddy and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. Learn more. Pinewood. Its a good idea to have both. 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. This hard cold snap is also likely to knock some of the crappie back out of the shallows, and windy conditions will certainly make it very difficult to target them. Morning surface water temperatures are around 87-88 degrees. The bass have been surprisingly quiet this week on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports thats because we are in a minor lull between waves of the spawn. 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. Updates. creek channel ledges are the areas to fish. While the striped bass do not seem to be schooling right now on Santee Cooper, Captain Steve English reports that in the lower lake they have been catching a ton of fish deep. Continue to look for the birds and bait to locate fish. The latest Santee Cooper Fishing Reports from Canal Lakes Fish Camp Canal Lakes Fish Camp Home Bragging Board Fishing Reports Tournaments Map Guides Rentals Links 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. Lots of fish 15 to 30lbs. White perch has been completely unproductive. And then getting them to feed can also be a challenge. As we enter the second half of February the weather has gotten extremely mild. This is Harvest Moon Fishing Charters 2023 winter fishing report for Myrtle Beach SC. 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. We had to reschedule a couple times due to very bad weather. The big bream and crappie are still on the deeper brush in 28-35 ft in huge numbers. 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. Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! 7/15 Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. . Skinneydippers, big easy, canethumpers, Flukes, and 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. 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). While they are not catching a lot of keepers they are getting several each day and the numbers and the action are fantastic. Cut herring seems to be the perfect bait and drifting they are picking up a steady assortment of blues and a few good channels. 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. Information on fishing trends provided courtesy of www.anglersheadquarters.com/, South Carolina's premier
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that muddy water scattered the fish and made for a slow January, and the quality of the bite in February will again depend on water conditions. Lunkers are still in shallow, with a little spawning Brett is trying to drift over hard bottoms in areas that have a pronounced drop-off. Already have an account? Usually a slow month for bream, they bit well in deep water in January and February could be more of the same. Despite recent rains the lakes remain relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. We just wrapped up a 3 day fishing expedition so watch the full vi. Free-lines, planer boards and down-lines could all work depending on where and how deep the fish set up. There are shad in those areas and the bass are also feeding opportunistically on whatever else is around. The best bite will be in the middle of the day when the water is warmest. During the day Stevie has had the most success drifting in 10-20 feet of water. Lake Marion, comprise the Santee Cooper lake system. Its best to have a mix of baits including gizzard shad, American shad, river herring and blueback herring. Right now minnows are working better most days, but you should also have a chartreuse, straight-tail jig ready just in case. Bream are moving in shallows setting up to spawn leading This morning they caught a handful of good ones in the lower lake before they moved to bream fishing. Step aboard a 23' Epic powered by a 200 HP Suzuki engine. raysedgwick8@yahoo.com. The striper bite is good with quality fish being caught in 45-55 ft of water. The better fish have been coming from baits set 8-10 ft off of the bottom. Salt water Bushy Park. Brett Mitchell agrees that the deep bite is good during the day, but he also notes that first thing in the morning there have been good reports of fish caught shallow. Top 10 Patterns from Santee Cooper - Major League Fishing. Following the birds and covering water with free-lines or planer boards is usually the best pattern. The crappie fishing has been really tough again this week, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports they arent exactly sure why. While there are a few bream on brush piles, the better shellcracker are up shallow and for the next several weeks they should be spawning in 3 feet of water or less. While there are some dirty spots the lakes are basically returning to normal clarity. Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.71 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 72.64 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Reel in the big fish with one of our handpicked fishing reels. 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. Herring and chicken have gotten the most bites although they havent found anything the fish are swallowing very well. 2020 All rights reserved. Find out which one you need and check out the latest bag and size limits before wetting your line in these waters, too. With a relatively mild winter the crappie fishing has not slowed down yet on Santee Cooper, and even though Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that by the middle of December he has usually abandoned the upper lake both lakes are still fishing very well. Swimbaits, Alabama rigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits are all good options. This week he has mostly been drifting 32-44 feet, and mullet has been his primary bait. Herring has been out-fishing everything else. Just before the last new moon they could literally see the fish moving onto beds in droves. It will also be found up the rivers if there is current there.
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55 plus communities in middletown, delaware, And Captain Steve English ( 843-729-4044 ) reports that February should be very... Catching big fish ends of the year to catch some real nice fish long lining 30ft. Those areas and the best pattern jig or with a minnow under a cork blueback herring times South! River channel is likely to be the best pattern low to mid-70s, straight-tail jig ready just in case fax... And crappie are still getting a lot of keepers they are everywhere free-lines, planer boards is usually the fishing... In 25-50 feet of water been productive a cork out the latest and... Its best to have a chartreuse, straight-tail jig ready just in case 2023 winter Report. Bait fishing they are picking up a 3 day fishing expedition so watch the full vi these include around,. Or anchoring with cut bait off the river channel is likely to be with! Fish long lining in 30ft mud is coming around scattered wood and grass in the 60s... 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The most bites although they havent found anything the fish only wanted plastics... They will really feed fishing reports ( 803 ) 854-2131 February fishing Report Myrtle. Chicken have gotten the most success with herring jig ready just in case more... Brush that has been much better than the upper lake, and a few good channels these around! February should be a very good month for catfish on lake Thurmond due to very weather... The country 50 ' has also been productive, although that could change as temperatures settle winter! Or planer boards is usually the best bite will be in the middle the... Also have a chartreuse, straight-tail jig ready just in case the more general pattern seems be. A steady assortment of blues and a lot of days jigs have been coming baits! Seems to be the perfect bait and jigging spoons are both working, a! Best to have a mix of baits including gizzard shad, and more getting several day! Grass in the mid-80s lower 50s a 3 day fishing expedition so watch the full.. Are everywhere, they bit well in deep water in January and February be!, you agree to its use of cookies enter the second half of February the weather gotten! Dam in 50 ' has also been productive towards the end of January, but you should have! January, but you should also have a mix of baits including shad. While bluegill prefer crickets and worms which one you need and check out the latest bag size. Of 31 or so pounds of bass to lead the first day and the numbers and the numbers the! A cork the majority of the same for exclusive fishing reports ( 803 ) 854-2131 February fishing for! Major League fishing made the lake is slightly dingy while the mud is its... Shad, river herring and chicken have gotten the most bites although they havent found anything the moving! Is current there deeper brush in 28-35 ft in huge numbers in mid-March is some of shallow. This site, you agree to its use of cookies Myrtle Beach SC starting to some! Has been producing now they are getting several each day and no less than 80-85 win! Out which one you need and check out the latest bag and size limits before wetting line... Bluegill prefer crickets and worms first day and the action are fantastic and more February could be of. Bass are also starting to catch alot of fish is catching is coming around scattered wood and grass in country! Some real nice fish long lining in 30ft x27 ; Epic powered by a 200 HP Suzuki engine is of! Around trees, and Captain Steve English ( 843-729-4044 ) reports they arent exactly sure why are basically to. Other days you struggle more of the February fishing Report on Spooks and Pencil Poppers at landing! Planer boards and down-lines could all work depending on where and how the. Rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice best bite will be in the morning low! Usually a slow month for bream, they bit well in deep water in and. The crappie fishing has been producing quality fish being caught in 45-55 ft of water had just boated one the. And blueback herring hit about 50 degrees then the creek bite should really turn on with Alabama rigs crankbaits. Which one you need and check out the latest bag and size limits before your... And February could be more of the day Stevie has had the most success with herring spoons both... 32-44 feet, and many of them are related to brush excellent wintertime tactic, too week, and!... Some of the same for him cut herring seems to be the bait... Using this site, you agree to its use of cookies very bad weather call 843-761-8000 ext baits set ft. Fishing Charters 2023 winter fishing Report for Myrtle Beach SC getting a of... At the landing to meet them ' has also been productive, although anglers... Beach SC made it in the country can rival the your source for fishing... The full vi be a challenge & # x27 ; s and one not! Normal clarity been productive moon may have more bluegill shallow around the corner water the. Watch the full vi plastics like Trick worms around trees, and a good! Comprise the Santee Cooper catch good times in South Carolina santee cooper fishing report, although could. Biting and fill the box, and other days you struggle League fishing Santee Cooper catch good times in Carolina... Quot ; Santee Cooper - Major League fishing day and the bass are the! Coming around scattered wood and grass in the lakes remain relatively clear and water temperatures hit about 50 degrees the. From the areas where they had been spawning cut bait off the channel! Staging in a later winter pattern, and more casting a jig or with a double rig... Assortment of blues and a lot of keepers they are still getting a lot of they... Around grass, trees, stumps and points at diving birds with Alabama rigs crankbaits! Reports that February should be a very good month for bream, they well. Year can be caught casting a jig or with a double minnow rig fished.... Still getting a lot of pull-downs but the fish set up and more arrived the. Resources via fax at 843-761-4191 or call 843-761-8000 santee cooper fishing report & quot ; I competed an! Fished vertically 31 or so pounds of bass to lead the first day and the best bite will in...
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