March 28

Lake Wylie is at 98.6% of full pool and water conditions vary. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. 

The bass on Lake Wylie have taken a little step backwards with the cold front, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there have been a surprising number of fish schooled up off of points. They are being caught on Alabama rigs, jerkbaits and big spinnerbaits. 

There are also still fish getting into the spawning pockets, but right now it is mostly the shorter pockets off the main creeks and not long coves in the very backs. Overall we are actually having a pretty normal spring, instead of an early one, and this year fish aren’t behaving in March like they usually do in April.  Still there are probably a few fish already bedding. 

For shallow fish the best bet is fishing shaky heads, wacky rigs and Texas rigs around cover or docks, and in areas with dirtier water you can also used bladed baits. 

Lake Wylie crappie are in about the same places as last week, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that some fish have moved to the banks to spawn while others are staging at the mouths of spawning coves. Spawning fish can be caught casting small jigs or minnows under a cork to shallow cover like rocks and trees in protected pockets. Staging fish can be caught long-lining jigs, with about 12 feet the key depth range. There are also a good number of fish loaded up around any brush or docks in 8-15 feet, including boat slips. 

White perch can be found around the crappie but a little deeper in about 20 feet of water around points. They are easily caught with minnows or cut threadfin shad, and lot of good fish in the three-quarters pound range are being caught. 

It’s not still quite yet a hot pre-spawn bite for catfish on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the fishing is fair to good. In the mornings there is good action on points with ledges near the main river and creek channels in 10-25 feet of water, while in the afternoons fish are pulling up into shallow coves in 6-15 feet of water. The wind is sometimes making anchoring difficult and so they are making use of drifting techniques as well. Cut gizzard shad and white perch are both working.

March 22

Lake Wylie is at 97.6% of full pool and water conditions are clearing – before forecast rain. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s. 

It’s not quite yet a hot pre-spawn bite for catfish on Lake Wylie, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the fishing is fair to good. In the mornings there is good action on points with ledges near the main river and creek channels in 10-25 feet of water, while in the afternoons fish are pulling up into shallow coves in 6-15 feet of water. The wind is sometimes making anchoring difficult and so they are making use of drifting techniques as well. Cut gizzard shad and white perch are both working.

Lake Wylie crappie are moving shallow this week, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that some fish have moved to the banks to spawn while others are staging at the mouths of spawning coves. Spawning fish can be caught casting small jigs or minnows under a cork to shallow cover like rocks and trees in protected pockets. Staging fish can be caught long-lining jigs, with about 12 feet the key depth range. 

White perch can be found around the crappie but a little deeper in about 20 feet of water around points. They are easily caught with minnows or cut threadfin shad, and lot of good fish in the three-quarters pound range are being caught. 

The bass on Lake Wylie continue to get closer to the spawn, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that right now fish are mostly pre-spawn with a few already starting to bed. However, most of the fish are just cruising around looking at the places they will do their business.  

It’s pretty much all about fishing inside or around spawning pockets, and the water has cleared enough that fishing shaky heads, wacky rigs and Texas rigs around anything in the water is the best bet. Docks inside spawning pockets or at the mouths continue to hold a lot of fish. 

In areas with dirtier water you can also used bladed baits. 

March 15

Lake Wylie is at 97.8% of full pool and water conditions range from muddy to dingy. Morning surface water temperatures are about 61-63 degrees. 

Lake Wylie crappie continue to make a pretty normal seasonal progression, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that males are moving shallow around brush and piers while females are suspending 10-15 feet deep in 18-25 feet of water at the mouths of spawning coves. They are preparing to spawn later in March or April, and Captain Chris does not think any are actually on beds yet. 

The best techniques for catching the suspended females is long-line trolling with jigs, but we are also now in the period where you can cast jigs or fish minnows under a cork around shallow cover. 

March 14

Lake Wylie is at 97.9% of full pool and most of the creeks are pretty muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have shot up to the low 60s in the backs. 

Between high water levels, dirty water and pollen on the surface, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s pretty much classic spring bass fishing conditions right now on Lake Wylie. While fish are not spawning yet they are in or immediately adjacent to spawning pockets, and Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and worms are all catching fish back in the creeks.  Docks are also holding a lot of fish, particularly docks on secondary points or inside of pockets. 

You can probably still find some fish on the main lake but they are likely to be smaller. 

March 6

Lake Wylie is at 96.6% of full pool and the main lake is clear while the creeks are muddy. Morning surface water temperatures creeping up to 53-55 degrees, rising to 56-57 in the afternoons. 

Fresh off 16 pounds and the win in a team tournament this weekend on Wylie, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that you can do about anything right now and catch bass. At the same time, it seems like the primary patterns are changing day by day. 

Friday the crankbait bite was on, but by Saturday they could not catch fish on a crankbait. They caught all of their fish on a jerkbait fished on main lake points and secondary points just inside the mouths of creeks. About 10 feet was the keep depth.

But by Sunday the fish didn’t want to chase moving baits, and they were starting to move into the creeks and towards the areas where they will eventually be spawning. Fish were at the mouths of spawning pockets and at the outside edges of dock poles and stump rows.  While Reid reports that the bulk of the fish are probably a month or so away from spawning, the warm nights have them moving that direction. A jig and shaky head are more effective right now. 

At the same time, there are still some offshore main lake patterns, like fishing an Alabama rig around brush piles, even though the fish will probably get progressively smaller out there as the spawn approaches. 

As for the crappie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that fish are on the move into creeks and spawning coves. They are not close to spawning, but they are getting into position for later in March and April. The best pattern is long-line trolling with jigs for suspended fish 12-15 feet deep in 20-25 feet of water. 

When overnight temperatures are about 60-62 degrees for three or four days in a row that will usually push fish to the banks for the spawn, and most years that is in late March or early April.

Meanwhile, the white perch are schooled up at the mouths of major creeks in 20-30 feet of water and on long points. They are feeding up in preparation for their spawn later this month, and spider-rigging with multi-hook minnow rigs near the bottom is the best pattern.  

More to follow.

February 29

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and the lake has cleared significantly. Morning surface water temperatures are about 53-54 degrees.

As water temperatures warm the crappie are starting to make their spring spawning migration into the creeks on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that suspended fish can now be caught long-lining jigs in 10-15 feet of water in the creeks. At the same time there are still crappie and white perch mixed together at the mouths of major creeks in 25-30 feet. For these fish spider-rigging with multi-hook minnow rigs near the bottom has been the best pattern.  

Right now Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) is also after the crappie, and he notes that later in the day fish are often suspended higher in the water column. For now he’s mostly in the front section of creeks, but notes that when temperatures warm a few more degrees they will move further back. 

On the catfish front, Captain Taylor notes that the shallower afternoon bite in the creeks has turned on. There is lots of bait in the middle of creeks, and in the afternoon anchoring baits in 5-20 feet of water in these areas has been productive.

 

More to follow. 

February 22

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and the lake has cleared significantly. Morning surface water temperatures are about 52 degrees.

We are getting into that special time of the year when you can catch bass doing about anything, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that on Wylie you can catch fish from the main lake to the backs of the creeks and up the river. This tournament there was another bag approaching 20 pounds put up, as well as a 17, and then several in the mid-teens. 

While throwing an Alabama rig on main lake points is very productive for spotted bass, Reid also caught fish on crankbaits, jerkbaits, and a shaky head.  The biggest change he noticed this week is that more fish were starting to move shallower, and in addition to dock fish he found good, prespawn fish that had moved up onto secondary points. They wouldn’t take a swimbait and a worm seemed to be the ticket. 

It's been another phenomenal week for crappie and white perch on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that both species are mixed together at the mouths of major creeks in 25-30 feet. Some days they are moving up in the water column, but more commonly they have been on the bottom. In fact, with clear blue skies and an east wind he found them even deeper yesterday in 30-35 feet near the bottom. Spider-rigging with multi-hook minnow rigs has been the best pattern, although this weekend Captain Chris did catch some fish up in the water column 15 or less feet down a few days ago in different conditions.  

 

Right now all the perch are full of eggs. While some will run up the river to spawn, most of them have a mass community spawn on long points where males just fertilize the entire point. 

On the catfish front, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the bite is still good. In the morning fish are hitting cut shad fished deep on the bottom midway back in the major creeks. 22-31 feet of water has been the most productive depth. In the afternoons when the water warms the shallow bite has been decent anchoring with the same baits. Look for the presence of bait and birds to locate fish both deep and shallow. 

February 15

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and has gotten very muddy again. Morning surface water temperatures are about 50-52 degrees.

On the catfish front, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that in the muddy conditions the bite is good.  In the morning fish are hitting cut shad fished deep on the bottom midway back in the major creeks. 22-31 feet of water has been the most productive depth.  In the afternoons when the water warms the shallow bite has been decent anchoring with the same baits. Look for the presence of bait and birds to locate fish. This also applies in the morning to the deeper bite!

February 14

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and, before yesterday, the lake was slowly starting to clear. When the lake was flooded a lot of debris washed into the lake so there is still a lot of trash floating around. Morning surface water temperatures are about 50-52 degrees.

This may all change, but as the lake cleared the crappie and white perch on Lake Wylie started to get back into bigger schools, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they have caught some particularly large fish the past week. One white perch was approaching Captain Rodger Taylor’s state record!

For now the pattern is back to spider rigging minnows at the mouths of major creeks in 25-30 feet, but as the lake gets very muddy again then think about heading shallower and looking for pockets of cleaner water again. 

The exact patterns tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reported last week came through on Sunday with the bass, but Reid reports that one was much better than the other. They finished with 14 pounds for third place, while 17 pounds (including a 5-pound largemouth and a 4 ½ pound spot) and then 15 plus took first and second.

They caught a limit on crankbaits and small swimbaits early around the banks, but when they returned to the pattern looking for a big bite later in the day they didn’t get anything. But what really put fish in the boat was when they figured out to head into the mouth of creeks and fish secondary points where fish were starting to move up. The creek mouths were 25-30 to feet deep, and by casting at the breaks in 8-18 feet they were able to capitalize with an A-rig. They caught 25-30 fish in a few hours this way, and only headed deeper again because most of them were cookie cutter 2-3 pound fish. 

February 9

Lake Wylie is up to 99.2% of full pool and – for now – the lake is clearing. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s.

There are basically two patterns for catching bass right now on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that one way to target fish is in 12-18 feet with Alabama rigs. Some good bags have been caught this way, and fish are on the main lake as well as at the front of major creeks.  

But there is another group shallower in 2-6 feet, and they can be caught on spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, and crankbaits. For the bladed baits some stained water helps, but crankbaits have also been working in clear water.

Overall there are more fish starting to get into traditional pre-spawn locations. They are still a ways out from spawning areas, but getting closer. 

February 1

Lake Keowee is at 99.1% of full pool and the creeks remain stained. Water temperatures have remained stable the past week with mid-50s common on most of the lake and some water in the low-60s mid-lake. 

While many Lake Keowee bass remain in a wintertime pattern, N&C Marine team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that is starting to change with more fish now showing up in shallower water.  For the winter fish, look in creek channels and swings in 30-50 feet of water with a drop shot or soft plastic.  For the shallower fish a jig, shaky head, or Texas rig fished around deeper docks and rocky points is a good strategy.  With no significant cold weather forecast over the coming weeks, expect to see more fish begin to move up. 

Many tournaments are being held on the lake and 12 pounds has been a good bag with 15 pounds often winning.

January 25

Lake Wylie is at 96.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are about 46 degrees. 

Water conditions couldn’t have been much crazier this month, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the lake has been two feet over full, a foot below normal, and everywhere in between. The water has ranged from stained to muddy, and there has also been a ton of current.

Somehow all that has the bass biting, and Reid reports the best patterns have been shallow. Winning bags have come up the rivers, in the extreme lower lake, in the creeks, and on the main lake. But again the commonality has been fishing shallow, with crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and spinnerbaits all working. Finding current and the right amount of stain has been another key, and sometimes that means the pattern changes by the hour. 

January 22

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and the lake is finally clearing after recent rains.   Morning surface water temperatures are about 46 degrees. 

If we had not already had two big rounds of flood on Lake Wylie then The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that he thinks the crappie would be stacked up about perfectly in deep water. Still they are doing well, and Captain Chris finds them holding at the mouths of creeks in 25-30 feet of water. Spider-rigging very slowly with minnows is the best way to catch them. 

While the fish did spread out when the lake got muddy, and went shallower into the creeks, they continued to feed. Look for the same if the lake gets very muddy later this week. 

More to follow. 

January 4

Lake Wylie is at 96.9% of full pool and the lake is super muddy after recent rains.   Morning surface water temperatures are about 50 degrees. 

When all the rain came they at first let the water back up in Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that lake levels got as high as 99.8% (which is way above normal full pool).  For a time the lake was very streaky and you could find areas with clear water, but it is now mostly muddy as they are pulling hard and levels are almost low again. It seems they started pulling so much water because of another big rain coming.  

As a result there’s not really a deep pattern to speak of, and almost certainly the biggest bags are coming throwing a crankbait or spinnerbait fairly shallow. Almost everyone is relegated to fishing the banks with the main river channel so muddy, and over half of boats aren’t bothering to weight in during recent tournaments. Yesterday Reid found the bite very slow. 

As the water clears fish will bite better in areas with greater visibility, and look for an Alabama rig and a jerkbait to come on again in 8-15 feet. 

With the main lake like tomato soup The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the crappie had no choice but to move, and they headed back into shallower water in the creeks where it is clearer. The best way to catch them is spider-rigging minnows in 20-25 feet on the bottom, although you can likely catch them even shallower. However, they were so stacked up where Chris was fishing he didn’t bother!

The catfish moved into very shallow water after the rise in water levels, as Captain Chris reports that bait stacked up in the backs of coves and creeks and the catfish followed them. Even on very cold mornings in 50-degree water you could see shad flipping on the surface in 5-10 feet. Just use a throw net to catch some shad and then anchor in 5-12 feet of water and fan cast baits around the boat. 

December 21

Lake Wylie is at 96.8% of full pool and there are sections of dirty water around the lake.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 50s. 

It took about 14 pounds to win the CATT championship on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that with an influx of fresh, dirty water this week there should be more fish pushed shallow that will take a crankbait. 

However, for a little while now the dominant pattern has been targeting deeper fish off points and drops in 8-20 feet of water. A lot of people are looking at them on LiveScope, and Alabama rigs and swimbaits have been very popular. There has also been a pretty good jerkbait bite in cleaner water.  

It's a pretty consistent pattern for crappie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that most of the fish are still in 22-25 feet. They are mostly in deeper creeks and creek mouths and once you find the big schools of threadfin shad the crappie will be close behind. You can also find them bunched up on deep brush piles in the 20-foot range. The best way to catch these fish is tight-lining minnows. 

In the winter months white perch are usually in the same areas, and you really have to use your electronics to find areas with more crappie than perch. But even then a school of perch can show up at any time.

The catfish bite is still good to very good on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service(803-517-7828) reports that with even more inflow of fresh water the creek bite remains dominant. Anglers should pay attention to bird locations and look for broken bait patterns – particularly in 25-30 feet. 

Drifting cut shad is very effective, and cut white perch makes an effective second choice. You can also anchor on long sloping points and fan cast baits from 5-25 feet, particularly in the late afternoon. 

Most of the fish are running in the 10-14 pound range with occasional blues in the mid-20s or larger. 

December 14

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and there is some dirty water after the rains.  Morning surface water temperatures are around 54 degrees. 

While 14-15 pounds is still usually about right to win Wylie bass tournaments, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there have been some stray winning sacks as high as 17 or 19 pounds. The water levels are back to normal with recent rains and there is some dirty water in the backs, and in these areas throwing a crankbait around the banks is working well. At the same time by far the best pattern for catching numbers of fish has been throwing Alabama rigs around main lake points and drops in 8-15 feet of water.  There have been reports of catching 40-50 fish a day this way.  

It's a pretty consistent pattern for crappie, but The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that with high water levels most of the fish are now in 22-25 feet. They are mostly in deeper creeks and creek mouths and once you find the big schools of threadfin shad the crappie will be close behind. You can also find them bunched up on deep brush piles in the 20-foot range. The best way to catch these fish is tight-lining minnows. 

In the winter months white perch are usually in the same areas, and you really have to use your electronics to find areas with more crappie than perch. But even then a school of perch can show up at any time.

The catfish bite is still good to very good on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service(803-517-7828) reports that with the inflow of fresh water the creek bite has been dominant recently. Anglers should pay attention to bird locations and look for broken bait patterns – particularly in 25-30 feet. 

Recent results notwithstanding, if anglers see birds on the main lake of course start there. At times fish will start out deep in the main channel then move shallower in the creeks as the water warms.

Drifting cut shad is very effective, and cut white perch makes an effective second choice. You can also anchor on long sloping points and fan cast baits from 5-25 feet, particularly in the late afternoon. 

Most of the fish are running in the 10-14 pound range with occasional blues in the mid-20s or larger. 

November 30

Lake Wylie is at 95.6% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. 

As usually happens when temperatures cool the Lake Wylie bass fishing has gotten a little better, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there have been several 14- and 15-pound bags in recent tournaments. With water temperatures cool but not yet cold there are both shallow and deep patterns, but the best bite seems to be coming throwing Alabama rigs around main lake points and drops in 8-15 feet of water. Some big bags are also apparently coming in 30 feet, although one of the recent winners caught everything on a Chatterbait fished shallow in the creeks. 

Now that water temperatures have dropped below 60 degrees, The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that most of the crappie have moved offshore and into deep water. Whether on the main lake or deeper creeks like Big Allison 20-25 feet is a good depth to start looking with your electronics, and once you find the big schools of threadfin shad the crappie will be close behind. You can also find them bunched up on deep brush piles in the 20-foot range. The best way to catch these fish is tight-lining minnows. 

In the winter months white perch are usually in the same areas, and you really have to use your electronics to find areas with more crappie than perch. But even then a school of perch can show up at any time.

The catfish bite is still good to very good on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that anglers should pay attention to bird locations and look for broken bait patterns – particularly in 25-30 feet. Recently the best action has been in the main creek channels, but if anglers see birds on the main lake of course start there. Some days fish will start out deep in the main channel then move shallower in the creeks as the water warms.

Drifting cut shad is very effective, and cut white perch makes an effective second choice.  You can also anchor on long sloping points and fan cast baits from 5-25 feet, particularly in the late afternoon. 

Most of the fish are running in the 10-14 pound range with occasional blues in the mid-20s or larger. 

November 17

Lake Wylie is at 95.3% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are down to the low 60s almost everywhere. 

The shallow water crappie bite has almost completely tapered off between low lake levels and dropping water temperatures, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the fish have moved into deeper water in the creek channels 20-30 feet deep. Spider rig live minnows to catch both crappie and white perch at the mouth of major creeks. They are often in the same areas in huge schools, but if there are too many white perch in an area it can be hard to target less-aggressive crappie. 

But water temperatures are still warm enough for a topwater bass bite, and Captain Chris reports that first thing you can catch fish on top with buzzbaits or walking baits. This bite will continue all day on cloudy days. Once the sun gets up then shallow running crankbaits in shad patterns are working around rocky points, and deep brush is also holding a lot of bass that can be caught on jigs or shaky heads. 

The catfish bite is good to very good on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are catching blue cats in the major creeks drifting with cut shad or white perch in 18-24 feet. The perch schools are thick in those areas and the catfish are around them. If you want to target perch with red worms or small pieces of cut shad the bite is excellent.

The last few days the main lake has not been happening for catfish, while Allison Creek has been full of birds, catfish and perch.  

November 9

Lake Wylie is down to 95.0% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are down to the lower 60s in the creeks and mid-60s on the main lake.

It’s hard to overstate just how low Lake Wylie has gotten, and tournament bass angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that he can only remember one other time when water levels were this far down. A near-total lack of rain and warm air temperatures that have people still running their air conditioners and generating power aren’t helping our lakes. The net result is that the number of places you can put a boat in are dropping, and half the ramps at Buster Boyd are closed. CATT tournaments have had to move to Nivens. 

The bass fishing conditions are also brutally tough, and, with about 14 boats fishing, Saturday’s CATT was won with 12.22 pounds and the tournament big fish weighed 3.26. 

Obviously there’s no great pattern, but you can still catch fish going down the banks with a buzzbait or spinnerbait. There also shallow fish that can be caught around docks with a worm or jig, and an Alabama rig can also work in the creeks.

The secondary, deeper pattern is to work the center of pockets and major creeks in 10-20 feet of water with a jigging spoon or underspin in areas that have bait. 

The combination of low water levels and creek temperatures getting down to almost 60 overnight is basically putting an end to the shallow crappie bite, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that most of the fish have moved out to brush in at least 12-15 feet. They are also moving out of the backs of creeks into the main creek channels in 20-25 feet. Tight-lining minnows or jigs is the best way to catch them.   

There are also some massive schools of white perch in the channels, and when you get into the perch it can be next to impossible to catch crappie – even if they are mixed together – because the perch are so aggressive and numerous.  

  

The catfish bite is pretty good on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are having the best luck drifting with cut shad.  In the creeks the best action has been in 20-25 feet of water, while on the main channel the key depth has been 22-34 feet.  In addition to lots of blues up to the mid-20s they are still picking up some big flatheads.

November 3

Lake Wylie is at 95.2% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are 62 or 63 degrees. 

Yesterday The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) targeted the catfish on Lake Wylie, and he reports that for him there are basically two patterns right now. Some fish are shallow in the creeks hanging around massive schools of shad in 10-15 feet of water. Another group of fish are moving into deeper water on the main lake in 25-30 feet, and he has caught them both places.  Drifting is working very well.  

Cut white perch are a good bait, or you can also throw a cast net and get shad. Yesterday morning even with 28-degree air temperatures they were popping all over the shallows! 

November 2

Lake Wylie is down to 95.2% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are down to the lower 60s.

It was brutal fishing conditions on Lake Wylie yesterday, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that between a massive drop in air temperature and a 15-20 mile per hour Northeast wind fishing conditions couldn’t get much tougher. They still caught crappie, but with the weather and the lake being down about 5 feet the shallow bite is about over and the bait has also gone deeper. Most of the fish have moved out to brush in at least 12-15 feet, and they are moving out of the backs of creeks into the main creek channels in 20-25 feet. Tight-lining minnows or jigs is the best way to catch them. 

He hasn’t been on the water since the cold snap, but tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that this weekend bass were still doing exactly what they have been doing. And while some fish will move deeper with the drop in temperatures, if it warms back up again this weekend as predicted there should still be some fish that can be caught shallow around docks with a worm and a jig.  Whether the topwater bite is over is anyone’s guess. 

The secondary, deeper pattern will be working the center of pockets and idling major creeks in 10-20 feet of water until you find bait and then fishing with a spoon or underspin. 

Finally, continue to look for schooling activity – especially in the back third of creeks. 

Cold weather usually helps the catfish bite on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service(803-517-7828) reports that have been catching fish drifting the main channel in 25-34 feet of water with cut shad and cut white perch. They are also catching fish anchoring on vertical ledges and putting out the same cut baits in 15-25 feet. 

Lake Wylie is so low right now that boaters need to check ramp status before hitching up the trailer!

October 26

Lake Wylie is at 95.3% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are still about 70 degrees. 

Back from a sixth place finish in the ABA National Championship on Lake Hartwell, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s a pretty standard fall bass bite on Lake Wylie.  Like most anglers he is looking shallow, and throwing a buzzbait and Whopper Plopper in the creeks. Later in the day he will be fishing docks with a worm and a jig.

The secondary, deeper pattern is working the center of pockets and idling major creeks in 10-20 feet of water until you find bait and then fishing with a spoon or underspin. 

Finally, you can also continue to look for schooling activity – especially in the back third of creeks. 

The crappie aren’t expected to change patterns much until water temperatures drop below 60, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they are bunched up in the creeks 20-25 feet deep. You can tight-line minnows or troll jigs in the creeks channels to catch them. They are also stacked up on brush piles in 15-20 feet, and the best way to catch these fish has been to fish jigs vertically over them.  Finally, you can also catch fish casting light-weight jigs to deeper piers in the creeks.  

The better catfish action is on the main lake again, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are catching fish drifting the main channel in 25-34 feet of water with cut shad and cut white perch. They are also catching fish anchoring on vertical ledges and putting out the same cut baits in 15-25 feet. Most of the fish are running 12-16 pounds, with the occasional smaller blue or channel, and overall Rodger only rates the bite as “fair”.

October 19

Lake Wylie is at 96.1% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 70 degrees. 

With slightly lower water levels the crappie have moved a bit deeper on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they are bunching up in the creeks 20-25 feet deep. You can tight-line minnows or troll jigs in the creeks channels to catch them. They are also stacking up on brush piles in 15-20 feet, and the best way to catch these fish has been to fish jigs vertically over them. You can also catch fish casting light-weight jigs to piers in the creeks, but again they are not quite as shallow as they have been so look for deeper docks.

The bass fishing has been strong this week, and Captain Chris reports that the best way to catch them has been throwing topwater lures early around riprap points. Zara Spooks, Pop-Rs or Whopper Ploppers in shad colors are all working. Once the sun gets up the best bet is throwing jigs or shaky heads around piers.

Schooling activity has also improved significantly this week, mostly in the back third of creeks. Rattle Traps and shallow-running crankbaits will both catch fish. 

With so much bait back there it’s unsurprising that the creek pattern for catfish is still good for blues, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that both anchoring and drifting/ trolling in 15-22 feet of water has been productive. The best baits have been fresh cut white perch and fresh gizzard shad. Flathead activity has also picked up, and they are generally in the same places as the blues.

 

October 13

Lake Wylie is at 96.3% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 72-74 degrees. 

There’s no major change in the patterns for catching bass on Lake Wylie, but The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the bite is getting better and they are catching more big fish. The best action is with topwater lures like a Zara Spook, Pop-R or Whopper Plopper in shad colors in the morning. Once the sun gets up you can still catch some fish on topwaters, but more fish are seeking shade and they can be caught around piers on a jig or shaky head worm. Crankbaits will also catch fish.  

There is some schooling activity in the creeks, but it will be spotty until water temperatures get down into the upper 60s. A shallow-running crankbait in chrome or chartreuse is a good choice to catch the smaller schooling fish in the creeks right now.  

It’s a similar pattern for crappie and white perch on Lake Wylie, and Captain Chris reports that significant numbers of both species have migrated into the creeks. You can catch both species spider-rigging minnows in the creek channels in 20-25 feet of water, and for more crappie you can also fish structure in 10-15 feet of water with both jigs and minnows. Points, piers and brush are all holding fish.   

There are also still significant numbers of perch on main lake flats. 

The creek pattern for catfish has improved again for blue cats, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that both anchoring and drifting/ trolling in 15-22 feet of water has been productive. The best baits have been fresh cut white perch and fresh gizzard shad. Flathead activity has also picked up, and they are generally in the same places as the blues. 

When there is more wind on the main lake it should turn on again.  

October 5

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are around 76 degrees. 

It’s a similar pattern for crappie on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that now white perch have also largely migrated into the creeks. You can catch both species spider-rigging minnows in the creek channel in 20-25 feet of water, and for more crappie you can also fish structure in 10-15 feet of water with both jigs and minnows. Points, piers and brush are all holding fish.   

The creek pattern for catfish has improved again for blue cats, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that both anchoring and drifting/ trolling in 15-22 feet of water has been productive. The best baits have been fresh cut white perch and fresh gizzard shad. Flathead activity has also picked up, and they are generally in the same places as the blues. 

When there is more wind on the main lake it should turn on again.  

Without a significant change in water temperatures the bass patterns are very stable, and Captain Chris reports that the best action is with topwater lures like a Zara Spook, Pop-R or Whopper Plopper in shad colors in the morning. Once the sun gets up you can still catch some fish on topwaters, but more fish will be seeking shade and they can be caught around piers on a jig or shaky head worm. Crankbaits will also catch fish.  

There is some schooling activity in the creeks, but it will be spotty until water temperatures get down into the upper 60s. A shallow-running crankbait in chrome or chartreuse is a good choice to catch the smaller schooling fish in the creeks right now.