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). And with the season set to close on June 15, right now is the time to get on the water and see what it's like to do battle with the South Carolina state fish. Fish are generally 12-14 feet down over brush in 22-25 feet of water, with both jigs and minnows working for them. 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). Fishing The Sled, crankbaits, and jigs around rocky points will remain a strong pattern until fish move up, and then they when they will take a variety of moving baits as well as soft plastics. Morning surface water temperatures range between 85 and 90 degrees. Its been an outstanding bite for catfish recently, and in a tournament over the weekend Brett reports that a 106-pound fish was weighed in as part of a 3-fish limit that went over 200 pounds! However, he is also doing well drifting as deep as about 12 feet. We will do our best to make sure that does not happen again. USGS Link. Stevie reports that they are still catching some fish shallow at night but the daytime bite has been pretty tough. While there are still some crappie on brush, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the best crappie fishing has come trolling jigs and minnows in 8-15 feet of water in the creeks. The bite can be decent if you locate a group of fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part. Willey says the famed Santee Cooper Lakes are currently experiencing low water levels, so most catfish anglers concentrated on working ledge structures 15 to 25 feet deep in Lake Moultrie. Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. The upper lake has been fishing a bit better than the lower lake recently, and the best action has come 12-14 feet down over brush in 22-25 feet of water. The bass patterns are mostly unchanged on Santee, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that one thing which can create some variation during a generally stable, hot period is a mayfly hatch. Generally the fish are 8-10 feet down. The weather has turned warmer and water temps are climbing. 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. Lakes Fish Camp Popular with anglers looking for Crappie fishing charters in Santee-Cooper. After some really good catfish action a couple of weeks ago the bite has gotten tougher on Santee Cooper, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that it certainly seems like the last cold front put the fish off. Santee Cooper has thousands of acres of inundated cypress trees, various kinds of vegetation and all sorts of fish-holding habitat. Just before the last new moon they could literally see the fish moving onto beds in droves. Crews signature series) shallow around trees for post spawn. With warm weather and approaching canal, cut bait, herring and gizzard shad are your best baits. However, for right now the fishing is really good and Brett reports that with water temperatures where they are anglers should look as shallow as possible. Fishing live bait on Santee-Cooper is an excellent wintertime tactic. sprouts steel cut oats, bulk; godzilla and kong rise of the titans addon The crappie are starting to move around on the lakes, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that there are not as many fish on the deep brush piles as there were a week ago. The bite over the weekend was a little sporadic for catfish, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that even though one tournament team managed three fish that went for 124 pounds (with a big fish over 50) most teams only managed one or two fish. We don't do this everyday but we do our best to produce fish every day. Depending on water conditions shallow-running crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, and jigs should all work. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s. 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). Fishing in the upper lake is winding down. null . If it stays cold then they will stay deeper. 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. In my "Glory Days" I competed as an ESPN Bassmaster Angler. The bass are following the shad, and so if you can locate the bait you will find fish. The fish they are catching are coming on soft plastics. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.22 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.18 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are still very clear and morning surface water temperatures are down to the mid-50s. We use cookies on our website to give you the best shopping experience. Monticello Updates. To help decide when you would like to come see the Santee Cooper Country Visitor Guide, view current and future fishing weather forecast on our Fishing Forecast Satellite , and then call Capt. In the wet, windy conditions there have not been a lot of people out chasing crappie but the shallow bite has been surprisingly tough. Minnows are working the best. Moultrie is the smaller of the two lakes in surface acreage but is much deeper. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are in the mid-50s. FOIA | Privacy Policy | Report Location 223 Basswood Avenue, Summerville, South Carolina 29483 My PB: Between 11-12 lbs Favorite Bass: Largemouth Favorite Lake or River Santee Cooper Lakes including the Cooper River Posted March 23, 2021 Fishing is good, going today and I expect it to be off the chain. 2020 All rights reserved. Lunkers are still in shallow, with a little spawning They will also feed more willingly. Even with water temperatures about to drop again on Santee, Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports bass should stay for a while in the creeks as temperatures are in the ideal range. Wigglers,wax,chartreus Bedding around bullrush grass, lilly-pads, primrose Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.46 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.3 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.33 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 75.29 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). If the lake remains dirty fish will continue to feed best in the muddiest areas. 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. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-70s. Drifting mid-depths has not been productive, although that could change as temperatures settle into winter patterns. Its been an outstanding week or two for catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they have been filling boxes with good fish in the 10 plus pound range. All Rights Reserved. Even between moons they have picked up some bedding bream, and they have generally been on deeper beds in more than five feet of water. Cut herring are good for numbers while white perch will work to try for a bigger one. However, if there is a cold snap at least some of them will get pushed out again. The lower lake has been much better than the upper lake, and a lot of days jigs have been out-fishing minnows. a day guarantee. It took 10 pounds to win the 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend. Crickets are the best bait for bream and jigs and minnows will be the bet baits for the crappie. 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. Overall the catfish are just eating really well right now, although they are displaying a strong preference for herring. recreational fishing regulations, Report Bass: Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that in February fish will still be related to deep brush or rock until it gets time for them to move towards their pre-spawn and then spawning locations. On the last trip they managed a couple of 40-pound fish, a 30-, and so on. They continue to pick away at the crappie on Santee, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the bite in both lakes is pretty much tracking and fish are only sporadic. The Columbia full-service Licensing and Boat Pretty much everything has come on soft plastics this week. This week the sweet spot has generally been 14-18 feet down over 20-35 feet of water. While open to debate, the case can easily be made that the Santee Cooper lakes are the premier freshwater fishery in South Carolina. For fish chasing bait flukes, Spooks, Pop-Rs, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits will all work. Morning surface water temperatures have hit the lower 60s. Fishing Resources. It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. Tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers should be effective and as the month progresses fish will move into the creeks. Provided by Captain Joe Dennis with FatherandSonOutdoors. Overall the action for catfish has been a little off-and-on at Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the weather has certainly not helped with a mix of wind and rain in the past week before it got prettier. As predicted the Elite Series Pros absolutely wrecked the bass at Santee Cooper two weeks ago, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that most of the fish were caught very shallow and often looking at them on beds. 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. Reel in the big fish with one of our handpicked fishing reels. Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that on one recent trip they caught 25 over 1 pound and fish up to two pounds. Fishermen should keep in mind the effect of different temperatures in different parts of the lake. Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in February catfish on Lake Wateree should be mixed between shallow and deep. Bream. 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. Now that fall is near Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) is back after the crappie, and even though he has had a few good days there are also times when the fishing is slow. Light tackle, tiny lures producing great catches during annual run 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. Morning surface water temperatures are in the 60s in many places but will drop this week. He's using red worms for bait, and fishing them under slip corks. Read more fishing reports fromSantee Cooper and other popularplacesat the AHQ Report! 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. February 2. The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is clear. 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). Thurmond Updates. A lot of times only a 100-yard move will do. Santee Cooper Lakes CatfishnFool Fishing Guide Service Call or Text Captain Wayne Vining 803-238-0596 captwayne@catfishnfool.com View Larger Map I am an U.S.C.G Licensed Santee Cooper Fishing Guide, with over 40 years of fishing experience. The lakes are getting muddy and morning surface water temperatures are around the low to mid-60s. These services are no longer offered at 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia. These corks make it quick and easy to adjust your depth, which is critical this time of year. 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. View Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Reports. Live bait fishing Swimbaits, Alabama rigs, crankbaits and jerkbaits are all good options. Late in the month is a good time for long-line trolling with jigs and minnows. Updates. Even though its not wide open the crappie fishing has really picked up, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they are catching fish 10-22 feet down over brush in 30 plus feet of water. For employment verification, contact Santee Cooper Human Resources via fax at 843-761-4191 or call 843-761-8000 ext. Most detailed Lake Already have an account? They will be caught on shakey head worms, jerkbaits, and square-billed crankbaits. His son Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is catching them in about 25-30 feet of water. Live bait and jigging spoons are both working. USGS 02148000. Click here for 30 day free trial! Lots of crappie are on the deeper brush. Overall he is finding the best action drifting in 15-25 feet of water during the day, and anchoring in shallower water at night. 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. If you fish very, very early you can also find a shad spawn around dawn in some places. 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. Its been a bit of a mystery why the bluegill and crappie have been holding so deep so consistently for so long on the Santee Cooper lakes, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that he thinks it is related to how clear the lakes are right now. enjoyyour visitwith us. Brett has only been fishing shad-colored crankbaits, but red crankbaits, swimbaits and more should also work. After that its more of a drift bite in 20-30 feet of water. 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. (803) 854-2131 Most detailed Lake Jocassee Our Lakeside Rentals & Campgrounds Discover the places you can stay, eat and fish while in Santee Cooper Country. However, the most effective pattern has typically been casting at shallow cover with jigs. About 3 feet of water has been the magic number for catching these fish. At times minnows and then jigs are both out-fishing the other so try both. At approximately 2789 feet 850 meters above sea level and pierced with sundry. 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. 139 Canal Landing Road, Cross, SC 29436 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. Striped bass: Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports that in February striped bass could be found anywhere on Lake Greenwood, but the key to finding them is to locate the bait. Cooper Lake is among Texas best fishing hot spots. 7/15 Its an interesting bite for catfish on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the fishing is kind of feast-or-famine. 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