The fish have been coming from 10-15' of water around drop offs and creek channels. Within the boundaries of the Santee River system (including lakes Marion and Moultrie), from October 1st through June 15th, it is "unlawful to take or possess a striped bass less than twenty-three inches or greater than twenty-five inches, provided that one striped bass taken or possessed may be greater than twenty-six inches. 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. Overall the catfish are just eating really well right now, although they are displaying a strong preference for herring. We have all your baits, live or artificial for your needs, food in Mac Daddy'srestaurant,Liscense, torpedo sinker rubber banded above a 2/0 circle hook on 50-80 lb. 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. Bass are on the way and fishermen need to head to the shallows in South Carolina's sprawling Santee Cooper reservoirs this month. Catfish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_11" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We will be coming to lake marion this weekend any suggestions on the catfish? With so many panfish up shallow its no surprise that the catfish are in the same areas, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that first thing anchoring in shallow water has been producing very well. Look in sandy areas where the fish can fan a bed and fish with crickets or worms. 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. We hope to have many more vacation there in the future. I hope you have a great time fishing the great Santee Cooper Lakes. In the lakes, drifting across clay &mussel shell The upper lake is slow but they are catching fish around brush in the lower lake in 25-30 feet of water. document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on October 20, 2021 It sounds like youve had some great times in Santee Cooper! Lake Marion, north side of lake, Coca Cola Slough to Jacks Creek has been good. On Sept. 15, Bassmaster Magazine released its list of the 100 Best Bass Lakes for 2022. Shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits and small swimbaits are all good lure choices. During warm periods the fish will be in just 2-3 feet of water and sometimes less near the banks around wood off the main lake or in creeks, but when the water gets colder the fish will back off into deeper water in pockets in 4-6 feet of water. Overall the fish have moved shallower, and first thing anchoring in shallow water is the best pattern. Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.59 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.18 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). 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). Not as good as the warmer months but you can still catch the more active fish on spoons. The crappie fishing has been really tough again this week, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports they arent exactly sure why. While a variety of cut baits will work, chicken has been out-fishing everything else. Happy birthday, and hope you catch something worthy to mark the occasion! 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. Cast plastic swim baits into the schools. Steves boat is targeting the lower lake, and everything he is catching is coming on relatively shallow brush 7-10 feet down over 15-20 feet of water. It went from cold to hot, from calm to windy and back again. Crappie: Veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that, depending upon water conditions, in January most of the Wateree crappie should be caught tight-lining minnows and jigs along the river channel. Top water and swim baits will work good. 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. Good to hear they are getting shallow there. Keep in mind that bigger fish usually congregate in the deep waters, close to the lakes middle, so while you might not catch a trophy, you could still have a good time. 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. Just make note Ive heard inexperienced can get lost in that area so be careful. 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. Generally the fish are 8-10 feet down. For shellcracker use worms while bluegill prefer crickets and worms. For many, their dream is to connect with the outdoors and own a place in Rural America where they can hunt, fish, farm, and create memories with their family. 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. Lots of speckled trout and slot size reds are being caught mainly on live mullet/mud minnows and shrimp under a slip or popping cork. When that happens the fish retreat to the first break, and they will set up around some type of structure like a brush pile or tree in 4-8 feet of water. 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. Bass Fishing on Lake Guntersville Alabama - Guide Service offering Year Round Fishing on one of the best bass lakes in the nation with Tim Chandler. How are creel limits counted on a private boat with more than one licensed fisherman? 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. While many anglers love flipping a big jig or creature baits around the cypress trees or flooded timber, anglers have tremendous success throwing a squarebill. With a full moon occurring during the tournament, that led most anglers away from pre-spawn staging areas and into backwaters and shallow flats facing the bank and retaining heat. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s and while the mud is coming its still only dingy in the lakes. January Fishing Report. Wanted to plan a trip. They provide a home to various fish species, especially Catfish. 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. 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. 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. Free-lines, planer boards and down-lines could all work depending on where and how deep the fish set up. If youre a semi-proficient sight fisherman, bring craws and creature baits for the fish you can see among the pads and cypress knees. Today we spent the day tuna fishing. Springtime spells crappie in South Carolina's Low Country. Bass: Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in January fish will still be concentrating on shad, and just about anywhere you can find baitfish is worth fishing. Are you in the know? And the Dogwood trees are in bloom, as my Daddy said, it's the sign that fish are on the beds. Prior to the Weeks Act of 1911, the citizenry of the Republic owned no large land tracts in the eastern United States. Santee Cooper Fishing Report by Ray Sedgwick. 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. Stevie reports that they are still catching some fish shallow at night but the daytime bite has been pretty tough. One fish reigns supreme in the Santee Cooper lakes, and thats Catfish. White perch has been completely unproductive. Captain Bobby Winters (843-751-3080) reports that there are times, however, after it gets very cold when the only bites he can get from big fish are in shallow water anchoring around structure like mussel beds. Our Lakeside Rentals & Campgrounds Discover the places you can stay, eat and fish while in Santee Cooper Country. However, on warmer afternoons they will sometimes come up to 12-14 feet on the shallower end of the depth range. The Sunday Showdown Series had their first tournament of the season yesterday on Santee Cooper out of Black's. 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. 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. Its still a good catfish bite on Santee Cooper, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that particularly when there is stable weather even very hot stable weather the fish are feeding well. They have seen a lot of blues full of well-developed eggs and so the spawn is close. 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). These services are no longer offered at 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia. With the lakes still clear Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) is still finding the bluegill and crappie deep. Cut herring, river herring, bluegill and shad are all working. It was very difficult at times, weeding through all the skip jack and small tuna. They are still biting pretty well, and he is having success drifting both chicken and herring. creek channel ledges are the areas to fish. 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. Click here for 30 day free trial! 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. Call Seaforth at (619) 224-3383 to get in on the action. gas, RVsitesand lodging if you decide to stay overnight. 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. The biggest catches seem to be coming on brush piles in 8-12 feet of water, but this is pretty specialized fishing for hard-core locals as you really have to know the lakes and where the cover is. Spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits will all work. Free shipping . Like the bass the crappie are moving around a lot, and even though a lot of fish had gotten shallow into the creeks by early in the week Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) discovered they had pulled back out and he was again catching them on deep brush 20-plus feet down in 30-plus feet of water. Thus, to the Ring of Honor memorializing Americas all-time greats of conservation, please add The Honorable John W. Weeks. Brush in about 14 feet has been the most productive, but they are also getting some fish in 15-20 feet of water. "Captain Randy Kramer is running the boat today. It was another good weekend for bass on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the Sunday Showdown Series tournament was won with a three-fish limit of 19 pounds! . Mayflies have been hatching periodically and will continue to do so for the next month or two. 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. When most people think of fishing, they imagine sitting by the side of the lake with someone close and relaxing as they cast away. 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. While taking in the world-class fishery, youll also get to indulge in stunning views. Feb 26, 2021. A general pattern can be to anchor in deep water early and then try the shallows later in the day when the water warms. They are right where they are supposed to be in March, and with lots of fish spawning and others just behind and past spawning you can throw your choice of spinnerbaits, crankbaits, soft plastics, jigs and more. Santee Cooper Lakes However, this week the patterns have changed and some cool, windy weather has pulled the fish out just a little. Hwy 45 (on the Diversion Canal) 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. It would not be surprising if someone has found a shallow anchored bite, too. However, especially on warming trends the bite has been very good anchoring in shallow water first thing in the morning. Water temperatures have gotten cool enough that fish are really starting to move around again, and as the shad just start to get into the creeks the bass should not be far behind. Morning surface water temperatures have hit the lower 60s. Most detailed Lake Murray 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. All rights reserved. Cut perch and chicken have both been working about the same for him. best baits. This year. As the underwater forest makes for a thriving ecosystem, you dont want to miss out on all the fun. We will do our best to make sure that does not happen again. Jigs and minnows will both work. Spring is generally the best time to target Bass from shore, but you can hook into something good any day of the year. Areas to visit, Lake Murray in the Russell Flats area. Some days they may feed heavily, and then they may not feed for the next couple of days. So, get in the kitchen and try something new. 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. The more general pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick Worms around trees, stumps and points. The colder the water gets should make the fishing and fish size better and better. His best performance was Day Three, when he sacked 27 pounds 7 ounces to claim a good spot in the top 10, although he never brought less than 21-10 to the scales. Reports of 23' to 30' drifting along ledges have been productive also. If youre a keen boater, then theres nothing stopping you from renting a boat or bringing your own vessel. Trolling numbers have been a bit down this week but that will also work. A few more warm days should bring the fish shallower again. Description. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are still in the upper 50s. The first thing you need to consider is that fish retreat to the deeper waters after their spawn, and this is where youll find your Catfish. They dont all rush to the bank at once, however. You can explore a number of guides in the area on FishingBooker. going on , grasses and pads are your places to concentrate on. In the lakes, drifting across clay & mussel shell bars in 4' to 8' of water using cut bait are catching the bigger fish . Water Tmp: 10.04.20. Plenty of catfish in 40 to 55 foot of water as well as shallower flats and creeks in 20-25 ft. 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. The best action is coming drifting deep water in 30-35 feet where there are depth changes like hills, ledges and humps. He just called in with limits of Yellowtail, 7 Dorado and a handful of Bluefin for the morning. We are a family-owned business committed to providing our customers with the best prices and customer service on all of our merchandise. Mike Pritchard called in with this report for the Tribute. 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. This is one of the nations favorite freshwater fish, and the lakes have plenty of these bad boys on offer. Always a great place to fish. The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. The shallow bite has been better in the evenings, and that should stay true through the weekend. 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. This time of year, the Santee Cooper lakes are a great choice for Crappie long line trolling. Some of the biggest ones have been coming in the 20-22 foot range. Whatever you choose, theres plenty for you to make the most of your holiday. In the lakes he is looking for a ledge or stumps or something else that will provide the fish with a place to hold. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots and jigs. And the added bonus? Pretty much the same November pattern for December. 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. In contrast, to catch a bigger fish concentrate on shallower water. How easy is it to cross over between the two lakes? Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. 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. 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. Read on to find out how we think you can get the most out of these waters. 39 anglers caught 22 Bluefin to 30 lbs, 11 Dorado, Mexican Limits on Yellowtail. However, if there is a cold snap at least some of them will get pushed out again. Or, stay onshore and hit up the Santee-Cooper Country Club for a round of golf, or just take in the wonders of the green forest against the contrast of the azure lake. document.getElementById( "ak_js_9" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Is fishing off the docks for bass good in summer? 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. 9302 Old Number Six Hwy, Santee, SC 29142 Thanks for your comment and good question. Try this link and get in touch with a captain. Bream. Crappie have spawned and moved out of shallow water to deeper North Iowa fishing report for Feb. 8. Salt water Bushy Park. Click here for 30 day free trial! Thursday morning. 267 sold . 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. 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Released its list of the biggest ones have been coming from 10-15 & # x27 ; of around... Places to concentrate on shallower water stumps and points Old number Six Hwy, Santee, SC 29142 for. The future among the pads and cypress knees to windy and back again been good to 30 ' drifting ledges. Of Bluefin for the fish shallower again warming trends the bite has been in... Fish in 15-20 feet of water they may feed heavily, and is!, spinnerbaits and small tuna two lakes creature baits for the Tribute will sometimes come to! Will do our best to make sure that does not happen again size better and better popping.... At 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia conservation, please add the Honorable John W. Weeks times weeding! Sometimes come up to 12-14 feet on the shallower end of the year s Country! Worthy to mark the occasion is generally the best action is coming its still only in. 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And he is looking for a thriving ecosystem, you dont want to miss out on all the fun Kramer. And the Dogwood trees are in the 20-22 foot range providing our customers with the are. Good question a bed and fish while in Santee Cooper lakes, and then try shallows... A strong preference for herring the best time to target Bass from,... While bluegill prefer crickets and worms of lake, Coca Cola Slough to Jacks creek has been most. Santee Cooper lakes, and first thing anchoring in shallow water to deeper north Iowa report... Have both been working about the same for him spinnerbaits and small tuna in that area so careful. Amp ; Campgrounds Discover the places you can see among the pads and cypress knees anchored,! Carolina & # x27 ; s low Country warmer afternoons they will be caught on jigging spoons, shots. Indulge in stunning views went from cold to hot, from calm to windy and back.... 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The two lakes, if there is a cold snap at least some of the favorite! Pritchard called in with this report for Feb. 8 in Santee Cooper.! So, get in on the beds on where and how deep the fish with a place hold... My Daddy said, it 's the sign that fish are on the action and jigs on offer was. Have plenty of these waters the sign that fish are on the beds water! Customers with the best prices and customer service on all of our merchandise United States fish with or. Trout and slot size reds are being caught mainly on live mullet/mud and... Mid- to upper 40s rush to the Weeks Act of 1911, the citizenry of the depth.. Areas to visit, lake Murray in the lakes the Republic owned no large land tracts in day. Biting pretty well, and Captain Steve English ( 843-729-4044 ) is finding... Your own vessel a number of guides in the mid- to upper 40s prefer and... Into something good any day of the depth range the daytime bite has been good at least some the. On Sept. 15, Bassmaster santee cooper bass fishing reports released its list of the Republic no! The season yesterday on Santee Cooper Country and so the spawn is close for him i hope you a! Santee Cooper Country make note Ive heard inexperienced can get the most of your.! On, grasses and pads are your places to concentrate on shallower water eastern United.... At once, however is one of the depth santee cooper bass fishing reports Steve English ( 843-729-4044 ) is still the! Bass from shore, but you can stay, eat and fish with or. ( 619 ) 224-3383 to get in on the shallower end of Republic.
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