July 29

Morning surface water temperatures are about 84 degrees around Hilton Head and the water is relatively clear. There are tons of small shrimp inshore and more big ones should be on the way. Finger mullet are also prolific.  

As he predicted last week, Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) is pleased to report

July 29

Lake Murray water levels are still high at 358.08 (full pool is 360.00) and the Little Saluda is dingy while the Big Saluda is clear. The main lake is clear except for a green summer algae tint. Morning surface water temperatures on the big water are back up to about 84 degrees. 

The striped bass fishing is still about the same on Lake Murray, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

July 29

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 83 degrees around Beaufort, but with a ton of rain and freshwater inflow the water is a muddy mess. From mullet to menhaden to shrimp there is tons of bait in the area.

Even though the tailing tides aren’t as high as last week, Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

July 29

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s, warmer on the lower end near the power plant, and the lake is still clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.

There’s still not a lot of change with the bass fishing on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

July 28

Lake Hartwell water levels remain very high at 660.84 (full pool is 660.00) but the lake has cleared a little. Morning surface water temperatures are still in the mid-80s. 

There are a few more changes with the hybrid and striped bass bite this week, and one is that Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

July 28

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.24 (full pool is 440.0) and surface water temperatures are as high as 92 degrees. 

With water temperatures that high it’s unsurprising that the striped bass bite has gotten tougher on Greenwood, and Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports

July 28

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s around Murrells Inlet.  

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, fiddler crabs, live sand fleas, blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. Live finger mullet are big enough for bait and prolific in the creeks, but the water has gotten so hot that they are not always able to keep them alive and in stock.

July 28

Lake Russell is still just above full pool at 465.10 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear with the lake overall clearing. Morning surface water temperatures are about 86 degrees. 

The fishing has slowed down just a little on Lake Russell this week, butGuide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

July 28

Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River have dropped a little to about 83 degrees. There is tons of bait around including shrimp, mullet and more.

One major change this week is that Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

July 28

Lake Wateree is at 96.7% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 84 degrees. 

Earlier in the summer tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden was still finding a good shallow bite, but now LiveScope imaging

July 27

Lake Keowee is at 98.0% of full pool and clarity is normal. Most of the lake is in the mid- to high 80s with the coolest water at the base of the Jocassee dam in the high 70s. 

There’s not much change on the lake this week, as N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports