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.