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. In contrast, to catch a bigger fish concentrate on shallower water. With up-and-down water temperatures the bass are in a pretty typical early winter pattern, and Captain Brett Mitchell(803-379-7029) reports that means that fish will move back and forth between very shallow and slightly deeper water as the bait does the same. Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.05 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.76 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5) and the lakes are dingy. Examples of information returns include, but are not limited to, the following. So, why go fishing on Santee Cooper? Click here for 30 day free trial! These are really big fish that are busting with eggs, and they are getting very close to spawning if they have not already begun. 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. January can be really fun. As we are between moon phases at the moment, Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the shallow breambite is a little off but they are getting nice numbers of bluegills around brush on crickets. In colder conditions they will want more subtle, slow-moving lures, while if temperatures rise they will be willing to chase faster moving baits like spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Write by: . 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. Chartreus The area doesnt seem to make a whole lot of difference with smaller fish very spread out, and he is just going. Canal 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. 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. As Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) predicted last week, temperatures have now gotten to the point where some bass have actually started spawning activity particularly in the protected backwater ponds that warm up fastest. USGS Link. However, the most effective pattern has typically been casting at shallow cover with jigs. The lakes are still clear and morning surface water temperatures are about 58. From 1939 to 1942 the lakes were created in a hydroelectric project by the South Carolina Public Service Authority, commonly known as Santee Cooper.The lakes vary from shallow swamps at the upper end of both lakes (but most famously Lake Marion) to the vastness of Lake Moultrie 14 miles across at its widest point and appearing to be a great, open bowl. Tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers should be effective and as the month progresses fish will move into the creeks. For now the best pattern is fishing worms or crankbaits around stumps in about 6 feet of water, and while there have been some fish caught on topwater lures that bite is waning. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.03 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.78 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Now is the time to catch the fish of a lifetime. He has been mainly fishing chicken but shad has also been working. Most detailed Lake Wateree Obviously bait is up there first thing because we are nowhere close to the other reason catfish come shallow to spawn. My first shiner fishing trip certainly hooked me. Bass: Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that early in the month winter patterns will be unchanged, but as water temperatures begin to warm in February bass will start to migrate toward shallower water and structure as the pre-spawn stage begins. 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). Fishing in the upper lake is winding down. Catfish are moving into the upper and lower ends of the However, he is also doing well drifting as deep as about 12 feet. 8888. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.35 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.2 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5), and while the lower lake is still clear dirty water is making its way down. All I can say is that we had fun and enjoyed ourselves Im sure you will too, Watch the weather closely. Live bait fishing The upper lake is getting dirty, while the lower lake is relatively clear once you get away from the mouth of the canal. <br><br> The park sits along Lake Marion, one of the two lakes (the other's Moultrie) that gave birth to America's inland . Everyone over the age of 16 will need a South Carolina fishing license to fish on Santee Cooper. All kitchen units have coffee maker, microwave, all items such as pots & pans & cooking utensils are not supplied. Make sure you bring the proper equipment for the heat from the sun And stay hydrated Captain Brad with Nav-A-Gator Charter Service was awesomehad a wonderful time and the weather was great! Hults takes Strike King co-angler victory on Guntersville. Capt. Titling office is now located at: SCDNR at the State Overall, right now its important to be flexible because fish are moving around a lot. Fish the Santee Cooper Lakes! three-day weight record at 77-4 and the five-fish daily limit mark of 34-4. 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. Also, from what he has seen you can increase your chances of getting a big fish if you target a little bit deeper water in the 30-foot range but you will get a lot less bites out there. Morning surface water temperatures have hit the lower 60s. The five major bait species in the lakes are gizzard shad, threadfin shad, American shad, blueback herring, and menhaden, which immigrate and emigrate from the lakes based on seasonal patterns. The bite is about the same in both lakes, and right now the action seems to be better in the middle of the day and early afternoon. (Herring)off the Hatchery and Bonneau in 25' to 40' and in front of the If temperatures get very cold then fish will move deeper but we are in no danger of that right now. Muddy conditions at the start of the month are also affecting the fishing, and seeking out less stained water is usually a good idea. You can also fish dip baits in the canal to catch a lot of fish. Brush piles, fallen trees, standing timber, and To locate fish Brett is largely fishing history in areas that he knows shad stack up, but anglers with less experience on Santee should use their depth finder to look for bait in the deeper parts of pockets adjacent to the shallow areas where they are fishing. 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. into the May full moon. If temperatures warm they should start to move shallower later in February. Santee Cooper Lakes The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s. Updates. Fish the edges of the creeks. Bass. Santee Cooper striper season closes June 15. Are you in the know? He has had the best luck with herring, and there have been some big fish caught drifting deep water at night. Click here for 30 day free trial! Crankbaits, worms and jigs fished around rock should all work. recreational fishing regulations, Report However, at times anchoring shallower produced better in January so be flexible. It took 10 pounds to win the 3-fish limit Sunday Showdown Series tournament this weekend. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. Anchoring on same bars using stink baits have been productive for smaller 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. That's what's made it one of the most storied destinations in the history of professional bass fishing. 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. When you stay at Bell's Marina Hotel you can get a discount if you book a Guide through us. Apologies for the lack of bass update last week Brett gave us a post-tournament report but we failed to publish it. Both lakes are clear and water temperatures are around 80 in the morning. Nothing is good but brush in about 14-20 feet has been the most productive, and generally the fish are 8-10 feet down. His son Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is catching them in about 25-30 feet of water. (EIN), to report on an information return the amount paid to you, or other amount reportable on an information return. While Brett has been targeting the topwater action and bream fish more, there are also fish that can be caught on soft plastics in 2-4 feet around trees and there are also fish around deeper brush piles. They are still biting pretty well, and he is having success drifting both chicken and herring. Shop our collection of fishing rods to find the one that best matches your needs. 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. Herring, shad and mullet have all been working for his boat. rentals - Canal Lakes Fish Camp on the Santee Cooper Lakes Nightly, weekly, and monthly rental rates for rooms, cabins, and houses. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low to mid-70s. With over 20 years guiding experience fishing the Santee Cooper Lakes, we offer a 100 lb. With the crappie fishing slow Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) took a break from them last week, but this weekend he will be after them again. Overall the fish should continue to roam the shallows for another three to four weeks as several more waves of fish come up and spawn. The best patterns for blue catfish seem to be anchoring early and then drifting during the day in 10-30 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. 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 . Reports of 23' to 30' drifting along ledges have been productive also. Already have an account? 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. "In four feet of water, they can be feeding just 18 inches deep. Its also a period when anglers pursuing other species will catch trout. The fish are on shallow flats in 7-11 feet of water and they are feeding on mussels. Its a good idea to have both. Right now its slower than last year at this time. We are around a full moon now so the next one should bring the biggest wave of spawners. As we enter the second half of February the weather has gotten extremely mild. In the lakes he is looking for a ledge or stumps or something else that will provide the fish with a place to hold. Spinnerbaits, jigs and crankbaits will all work. . They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots and jigs. The fish they are catching are coming on soft plastics. With the full moon this past weekend the bream fishing was decent, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that in the end the May full moon seems to have been kind of in-between. . Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.41 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.31 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the low 60s and there is some dirty water rolling into the lakes. The lakes are getting muddy and morning surface water temperatures are around the low to mid-60s. We had to reschedule a couple times due to very bad weather. 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. Learn more. enjoyyour visitwith us. It seems as if the majority of the fish are post-spawn. Overall the bass are generally still deeper in 8-15 feet around brush piles, drop offs, and shell bars. You can also fish a minnow under a cork. 2020 All rights reserved. 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. 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 two reservoirs cover over 170,000 acres combined, plus a 6-mile . Continue to look for the birds and bait to locate fish. As it warms in February fish will start to move into pre-spawn locations adjacent to where they will eventually spawn, and a few fish may even go on beds by the end of the month. In the lakes, drifting across clay &mussel shell The more general pattern seems to be fishing with soft plastics like Trick Worms around trees, stumps and points. Santee Cooper Lakes Fishing Reports | Santee Cooper Country Fishing Reports (803) 854-2131 February Fishing Report. Right now it looks like the lakes are in a bit of a down cycle for crappie. They are tired, beat up, and trying to recover, and so the bite will likely be off for a few more days. Santee Cooper has thousands of acres of inundated cypress trees, various kinds of vegetation and all sorts of fish-holding habitat. He will be fishing minnows. Overall its a good bet to have a wide selection of cut bait as well as chicken available. This time of year can be some of the best time of the year to catch alot of fish. Worms are the ticket. Some days you find the fish biting and fill the box, and other days you struggle. Form 1099-INT (interest earned or paid) Form 1099-DIV (dividends, including those from stocks or mutual funds) 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. Numerous species are spawning at Santee this month. 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. Most detailed Lake Wylie 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. Moultrie is the smaller of the two lakes in surface acreage but is much deeper. Water temperatures have not dropped enough to really change the bass fishing on the Santee Cooper lakes, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that when temperatures drop another five degrees then you should be able to fish topwater baits all day long and not just in the mornings. Field staff update the fishing reports each week through the fishing season, reporting on fishing success, lake levels, water temperatures, and other important information. Its not the way he prefers to catch them, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the bass on Santee Cooper have moved deeper and hes now having to target fish in 8-15 feet. The lakes are very clear and water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.24 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.82 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. At the beginning of the month fish should be closer to the river channel or the mouths of creeks where they can be caught tight-lining deep, but if conditions warm significantly in the backs of creeks then fish should move shallower into pre-spawn locations. 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. Most detailed Lake 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. During this video I am also doing a live show on Youtube, AND I a. 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