On a warm trend fish will head into the creeks where they can be caught trolling jigs and minnows in 8-15 feet of water, while another group of fish (so far mostly males) will be up on the banks looking for areas where they will spawn. 2018-19 SANTEE COOPER COUNTRY. The fish they are catching are still shallow in 5 feet of water or less, and they are holding tight to grass and trees. This material may not be posted on another website. 10 Tactics for Santee-Cooper Bass Lakes Marion and Moultrie might be full of bass, but without a good game plan you could get skunked; these 10 tips will put you on the fish. I hope this helps! The synonymous state park that engulfs South Carolinas inland sea is truly a thing of beauty. As the month progresses and more bass start to guard fry, think topwaters, frogs and flukes to raise their ire and get them to strike. Feb 22, 2021. The crappie fishing has improved marginally, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that its still not where he would like it to be. The lakes are as clear as Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) has ever seen them, which may be part of the reason why they can only catch bluegill and crappie around the deeper stuff. The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is still clear in places. Santee Cooper (Lake Marion & Lake Moultrie) Fishing Report. The reasons arent exactly clear, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the bass fishing is tougher than its supposed to be. 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. Santee Cooper Country Bass Fishing with Inky Davis specializing in large mouth bass only check out this site for one of Santee Cooper lakes most famous Bass fishing guides. Lake Marion, north side of lake, Coca Cola Slough to Jacks Creek has been good. Cast plastic swim baits into the schools. We had 13 on 1 trip and 9 on the next. The big bream and crappie are still on the deeper brush in 28-35 ft in huge numbers. 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). Read on to find out how we think you can get the most out of these waters. 10 ponders are not uncommon in the spring. Santee Cooper Fishing Report by Ray Sedgwick. . Nov 25, 2020. document.getElementById( "ak_js_8" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on October 20, 2021 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 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. Thursday morning. One of these guides is Captain Brett Mitchell, who concurs that there have been good and bad days but has been targeting his efforts in 15-25 feet of water. Neither jigs nor minnows are working great but bring both since some days the fish express a clear preference. WHich has better largemouth bass fishing? Waste or Abuse to SC Inspector General | Boat has a full enclosure to stay warm. You cannot paste images directly. 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). 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. 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. These may sound like silly questions but 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. It was very difficult at times, weeding through all the skip jack and small tuna. 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. The catfish action has been pretty good on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that even though he has found good fishing in 25-40 feet of water at the moment he would suggest starting in shallow water and then eliminating that before heading deeper. Jigs and minnows will both work. 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. Throughout the day we were able to scrape up a great catch of yellowfin tuna. But, have always wanted to. Multiple species of fish are in spawning mode, with stripers, largemouth bass and crappie in their annual reproductive rituals. visited the sprawling fishery. Santee Cooper Lakes Lake Guide JOHN C. LAND III SPORTSFISHING FACILITY Santee Cooper Lakes Landings & Ramps SPORTSMAN'S WAREHOUSE Santee Cooper Lakes Bait & Tackle MARSHALL'S MARINE, INC. Santee Cooper Lakes Boat Dealers & Repairs SANTEE STATE PARK Santee Cooper Lakes Cabins INKY DAVIS Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Guides RAMADA INN SANTEE 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. Lots of flounder are also being caught but most are under sized so make sure you know your regulations. Explore the Congaree National Park, Santee State Park, or any special wildlife areas, and youre in for a treat! Come in spring or fall, and get your hands on these beasts. 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. 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. Brett is trying to drift over hard bottoms in areas that have a pronounced drop-off. Crappie and white perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in January fish will be set up in the front sections of creeks in deep water. gas, RVsitesand lodging if you decide to stay overnight. Clear editor. Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor reports that in January tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers should be effective. The are no hills like that. If you want to get out on Lake Marion, Summerton, Eutawville, and Santee itself have plenty in the way of comfortable accommodation, along with camping grounds. This is one of the nations favorite freshwater fish, and the lakes have plenty of these bad boys on offer. The local Striper population fell victim to over-fishing in the mid and late 20th century, but theyre now heavily protected with strict seasons. Learn more. They will usually stop at brush coming out from spawning areas where they can rest before going deeper. Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that January is not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up channel catfish around bait schools. After a fishing morning recently, Freeman did some riding around, looking for shellcracker beds in areas he hasn't fished yet. I've fished as a co-angler twice so i have a very basic understand of the lake. Several competitors also caught key fish with the good old-fashioned spinnerbait. Spring is generally the best time to target Bass from shore, but you can hook into something good any day of the year. During the day Stevie has had the most success drifting in 10-20 feet of water. But the most reliable pattern is that in January on Lake Greenwood an Alabama rig is likely to be effective, either shallow, deep, or both. 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. 2020 All rights reserved. You must be a registered Camper to fish in Lakes 6 & 7. That's why we offer energy saving solutions for your home and business. It should have happened a few weeks ago, but the fish are just now starting to feed well in the canal. The Santee Cooper Lakes offers some of the best fishing in South Carolina and we have some of the top fishi ng guides in South Carolina working out of Blacks Camp. Spotted Bass with a googan lunker log wacky rig. Fish are in the creeks or flats off the main lake in just 2-3 feet of water, and Brett has mainly been fishing the upper lake although patterns should hold in Moultrie as well. 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. Chartreus Bass will move off shore to deep brush piles. 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. Hit the canal that joins the lakes for Stripers in spring, or explore the numerous ditches out in the heart of the lake year-round for Bass and Crappie. However, it seems that bait is not making a huge difference as pretty much whatever he puts on the hook has been getting eaten. Bass Species Present: While Santee Cooper is world-renowned for its monstrous striped bass and channel catfish populations, only largemouth bass were eligible to be weighed in during the Elite Series events. 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). They are tired, beat up, and trying to recover, and so the bite will likely be off for a few more days. I caught it in the river down past Harrys campgrounds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_21" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on February 22, 2021 Fish as close to the bottom as possible for the bigger fish as the water temp gets lower. In his estimation the catfish action has slowed down a little on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the fish he is catching have shifted from about 15-25 feet out to more like the 30-35 foot range. There are staging fish around trees, but the bulk of the big fish seem to be shallow. Bring a chair and cooler, along with your best pal, and kick back with a day of fishing. Areas to visit, Lake Murray in the Russell Flats area. Right now its slower than last year at this time. Farmer's Market Spread them out and different depths and speeds until you get a pattern. Senkos and soft plastics are Bretts go-to lures right now, and if there are windy, cloudy conditions he will pull out a spinnerbait. However, during the day the best pattern is still drifting in 25-40 feet of water when fish pull out deeper. Great fishing happening right now at the Coronado Islands aboardthe San Diego fishing out of Seaforth Landing. document.getElementById( "ak_js_22" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Where would one rent a boat in that area. The warm weather is already improving the fishing, and they caught their fish in 2-3 feet of water around hard cover like natural wood or planted brush that absorbs and radiates some heat. Pretty much the same November pattern for December. 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. You can also fish a minnow under a cork. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s. You wont be able to fish for any of these beauties in the summer months. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. One fish reigns supreme in the Santee Cooper lakes, and that's Catfish. They are still biting pretty well, and he is having success drifting both chicken and herring. Weve landed plenty of fish each time to include a 58 lb cat (Blacks Camp guide) when I was younger. As we learned throughout this tournament (primarily from Brandon Palaniuks multi-faceted attack), its possible to catch spawning, pre-spawn and post-spawn fish at the same time, often in adjacent areas. 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). 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. The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. Privacy Statement. $14.99 . And the Dogwood trees are in bloom, as my Daddy said, it's the sign that fish are on the beds. Lakes Fish Camp However, especially on warming trends the bite has been very good anchoring in shallow water first thing in the morning. These small, delicious fish are the quintessential first catch for any angler. The 94 Bassmaster Elite Series anglers returned to post-Classic competition just two weeks after the Champion was crowned, but they didnt make it far down the road. Enjoy the freedom of exploring the lake at your own leisure, as you take the day at your own speed. Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that in January some blue catfish should be catchable that have moved out of the deep timber, and they should begin to be found in the creek channels. 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). Captain Ryan Bostian called in with an announcement. The bite can be decent if you locate a group of fish on electronics or otherwise, but thats the tricky part. The 5-foot range is a good starting point. After our 3 hour drift everyone onboard had either landed or fought and released a fish of a lifetime. Herring, shad and mullet are all working well. 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. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.51 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.53 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.54 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.26 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). November is the new September, Viva El Nio. The AHQ Report is your source for exclusive fishing reports, tournament updates, and more! 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. Three months of studying the lake, the time of year, tournament reports, weather reports, bombarding Facebook groups for water reports, a hefty tackle order and tons of support from friends, family, and most importantly, my fiancee, and I was ready for the KBF Open on Santee Cooper. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 65 degrees. 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. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.90 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.48 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper lake is slow but they are catching fish around brush in the lower lake in 25-30 feet of water. Drop us a line in the comments and let us know how it went. Worms are best for shellcracker while bluegill will also take crickets. Fish will be mixed between the main lake and deeper creek channels. While fish will often be adjacent to creeks with steep banks and 8-15 feet of water, the best concentration of catchable fish is in 4-6 feet of water. Growing to larger-than-usual sizes, youll need to make sure youve got a dish big enough to cook up this popular Panfish at the end of the day. best baits. Drop live baits or throw swim baits into the bait schools. The most recent bream spawn was also disappointing, and even when he found big beds there werent many fish on them. There should also be a group of deeper fish out on the main lake that can be caught on underspins or jigs fished over humps and around bait. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.21 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.19 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Early in the morning buzzbaits are working well and shallow running crankbaits are also good, in addition to a wide range of topwater lures such as prop baits. The best patterns for blue catfish seem to be anchoring early and then drifting during the day in 10-30 feet of water. Wed love to hear from you! We are also starting to catch some real nice fish long lining in 30 ft. Bass. The target depth range has been 3-6 feet of water. They will take most any bait when they are feeding. Try this link and get in touch with a captain. Waste or Abuse to SC Inspector General. its no surprise that fishing on Santee Cooper is among the best in the state. The catfish action has been more consistent for Brett, and his last trip started out slow but they ended up catching a bunch of fish drifting a flat with stumps in 20-25 feet of water. 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). The best brush has been in the 20s, and the fish are 10-12 feet down. Water temperatures have dropped enough that smaller bass are starting to move into the creeks, but Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that things are running behind this year and so there has not really been a rush of bait in there yet. 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. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. He has had the best luck drifting in 10-20 feet of water on cut herring, although at night he is finding much better fishing out deep in 25-40 feet. updates. Thanks for reading and for sharing your experience with us. Reports of 23' to 30' drifting along ledges have been productive also. Morning surface water temperatures are around 53 degrees. Perhaps the most exciting thing going on Santee right now is the striped bass bite in the canal, and drifting blueback herring over the rocks has been dynamite. We know there is Wahoo around and we will be trying for them tomorrow. If youre a keen boater, then theres nothing stopping you from renting a boat or bringing your own vessel. Results 97 - 144 of 1458 Professional Bass Fishing Guide Service. Look for crappie on brush in 12-25 ft. On Lake Marion and 28-35 ft on Lake Moultrie. document.getElementById( "ak_js_10" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on August 23, 2021 The fish are shallow on beds, and spawning activity peaks on the new and full moons. I hope this helps. creek channel ledges are the areas to fish. Santee Cooper Bass: Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that until the spring rolls around fish will be concentrating on shad, and in December that usually means looking for areas with current where the schools of bait are found. 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