November 19

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 437.87 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is still relatively clear – perhaps too clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 59 degrees.  

Despite minimal cooling the black bass are starting to get into different patterns on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that in particular the Alabama rig is coming on. You can still fish a Whopper Plopper or buzzbait around the banks, and a crankbait is getting better, but in the cooler months the A-rig is tough to beat.

The best bet is casting it around docks at the mouths of creeks or on the main lake in 10 feet of water or less, although you can also still work your way back in the creeks looking for shad. However, a lot of the spotted bass seem to never really leave the main lake and essentially suspend all year when they are not spawning. 

The crappie fishing is a lot better than a month or two ago, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that Greenwood crappie are biting pretty well. The whole main lake has productice, and fish are generally in 15-30 feet of water holding 10-20 feet down over brush. He has fished at the front of some of the larger creeks but generally the main river has been best. Minnows and jigs are both working with Fish Stalker Blue Dew the best color. 

November 5

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.74 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is still relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 60 degrees.  

The black bass fishing is just fair on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that there are still essentially two patterns.  The predominant catch in terms of numbers is still coming fishing for the generally smaller spotted bass that have moved into the creek channels, and the easiest way to catch them is LiveScoping with a minnow-type bait or drop shot. They will also take a jigging spoon. While the majority of spots are probably in the creeks now, Stan notes you can also still catch them on the main lake fishing the same way.   

The second pattern, and the best way to catch a largemouth, is fishing along the creek banks with a Whopper Plopper, buzzbait, or soon a square-billed crankbait. It’s also time to look in the very backs of creeks with a fluke or lipless crankbait.  

Back on Greenwood after a successful tournament at Lake Secession, Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that Greenwood crappie still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water. They are still pretty much all in the bottom third of the water column, and the best section of the lake is still the middle to upper end. Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors and minnows are both productive. 

October 29

Lake Greenwood water levels are slightly up to 438.62 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are down to the mid-60s. 

While Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) has not been on the water since this past weekend, before the heaviest rain, at that time fish were still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water.  They were pretty much all in the bottom third of the water column, and the best section of the lake was still the middle to upper end. Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors and minnows were both productive. 

It's unclear what change the cool, rainy weather of the last few days will bring, but Captain Roland doesn’t expect the fish to totally abandon brush. However, they might start to hold a little further from it. He also doesn’t expect the water color to drastically change, as it’s been a slow, soaking rain and not one that would muddy things. 

The black bass patterns are changing faster than the crappie, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that fish are really making their way back into the creeks following shad. The predominant catch is still large numbers of small spotted bass, and the easiest way to catch them is LiveScoping the channels with a minnow-type bait or drop shot. They will also take a jigging spoon, and of course plenty of spots are still on the main lake.

But the best way to catch a better fish is along the creek banks with a Whopper Plopper, buzzbait, or soon a square-billed crankbait.  Soon they will also be caught in the very, very backs of creeks chasing bait and they will take a fluke or lipless crankbait.   

October 23

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 438.57 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is above average. 

Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that water temperatures still have not bumped down enough for there to be any change to the crappie fishing on Greenwood, but veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the black bass fishing has significantly picked up. Fish are finally really making their way into the creeks, and in a recent tournament one boat had 18 pounds with all largemouth. Fish are being caught around the banks on Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits, and spinnerbaits, and creek docks have been holding a lot of fish. There are also of course numbers of fish, including small spotted bass, being caught LiveScoping with a minnow-type bait in the middle of the creeks around bait balls.

Stan has not heard or seen of any striper schooling this week. 

October 15

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 438.78 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 74 degrees. There hasn’t been enough rain to muddy the water and particularly the middle to lower lake is clear. 

It’s a similar report this week with the black bass on Lake Greenwood, but veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that on the lower end there is now also good action for bass and striped bass schooling. It’s mostly over deep water and pretty random, but reliable enough that it’s worth riding and looking – or at least keeping your eyes open as you fish. 

Beyond that there are still a decent number of largemouth being caught on a buzzbait fished from the state park down on the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. Whopper Ploppers have also been working. 

But the best way to catch numbers of (small) fish is to target the spotted bass that can be found on points, brush, and about anywhere you want to fish offshore.  Generally they are grouped up in about 14-18 feet of water, and both minnow-type baits and drop shots are working for them. Most people fishing this way are using forward-facing sonar.

The crappie fishing on Greenwood continues to slowly improve, but Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that patterns have not changed.  They are still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water, and they are pretty much all in the bottom third of the water column.  The best section of the lake has been the middle to upper end.  Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors have been working about the same as minnows.

October 8

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 438.95 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 76 degrees. 

There’s some better news with the black bass on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that – while the spotted bass pattern still holds – there are also some decent largemouth being caught this week. The best action has come on a buzzbait fished from the state park down on the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. 

There are still tons of spotted bass to be found on points, brush, and about anywhere you want to fish offshore, and really the only hard part is getting them to bite because they are so easy to locate with LiveScope. Generally they are grouped up in about 14-18 feet of water, and both minnow-type baits and drop shots are working for them. 

The crappie fishing on Greenwood continues to slowly improve, but Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that patterns have not changed. They are still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water, and they are pretty much all in the bottom third of the water column. The best section of the lake has been the middle to upper end. Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors have been working about the same as minnows. 

October 2

Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 439.04 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees. There is a little more dirty water after recent rains.

Fresh off a fish fry last night, veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the black bass and particularly the spotted bass are biting pretty well – and they eat good too! The key seems to be LiveScoping for them in open water on the main lake, where they are grouped up in about 14-18 feet of water. Mostly it’s a lot of smaller fish but there are some 2-3 pound fish mixed in. A drop shot has been the most effective way to catch them, but they will also take a minnow-type bait. 

Up the rivers Stan continues to find a bunch of 13-14 inch largemouth around docks, but basically it seems that the better fish have not moved back there yet. Again, once temperatures drop a few degrees then they should resume a migration into the creeks. 

The crappie fishing on Greenwood is marginally better than last week, but Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are essentially on the exactly same patterns. They are still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water, and they are pretty much all in the bottom third of the water column. The best section of the lake has been the middle to upper end. Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors have been working about the same as minnows. 

Our apologies for the sporadic fishing reports in recent weeks. We will do everything we can to get back on track with weekly updates, but one of our children is getting through a significant health challenge which has occupied a great deal of our time and kept us out of work.  

September 25

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.88 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 79 degrees. The lake is mostly clear and it’s difficult to find stained water. 

The weights are a little deceptive in recent black bass tournaments on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the top boats had bags of 16 pounds in one event and 18 in another. But the fishing is still super tough for most people, and it seems to be a small number of people who are very, very proficient with LiveScope who are putting up the impressive weights. 

There is some schooling activity for spotted bass as well as striped bass on the lower end towards the dam over deep water, particularly early, but Stan has been heading into slightly dingier water in the backs and targeting largemouth. He has found a bunch of 13-14 inch fish around docks but basically it seems that the better fish have not moved back there yet. When temperatures rose again it likely set them back, and once temperatures drop a few degrees then they should resume a migration into the creeks. 

The crappie fishing on Greenwood was getting better until the heat wave, but the Indian Summer (can we call a hot late September that in South Carolina?) has definitely been a setback. Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the fishing has been pretty hit-or-miss, but fish are still grouped up on the main river run around structure in 18-30 feet of water. The best section of the lake has been the middle to upper end. Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors have been working about the same as minnows. 

September 11

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.06 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 79 degrees. 

The black bass fishing continues to get better on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that fish are starting to school a bit. The best bet is to work your way from the creek mouths back to locate fish, and basically once you find the shad you will find the bass. As water temperatures cool buzzbaits are becoming a really good option. 

Docks are also very good structure, but riprap around bridges, sea walls, shallow points, and any kind of rock will also have fish. In addition to topwater lures including Whopper Ploppers jigs and shaky head worms are very good choices. 

While the locations of crappie on Greenwood still have not changed much, Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the bite is definitely improving. For now most of the crappie are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. 

Minnows continue to work a little better than jigs and the upper end is still fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake. 

August 27

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.10 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the low 80s. 

There’s finally some positive news to report with the black bass on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that as the lake cools down more fish are starting to head shallower.  They are going to the banks and starting to look around after many months offshore. The number one place to fish is docks right now, but riprap around bridges, sea walls, shallow points, and any kind of rock will also have fish. Fish are still not very aggressive and shaky head worms are out-fishing everything else. However, it's also worth throwing a jig, buzzbait, or Whopper Plopper. 

For now the best shallow structure is still pretty close to deep water, where fish have been all summer, and they are still mostly off the main lake. While main lake pockets hold fish not much has moved into the creeks yet, although it will once bait begins to migrate.  

The crappie bite will also change soon on Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that before too long one group of fish will go into the creeks and more fish will go shallower. However, water temperatures have not yet changed enough for that to happen, and most of the crappie are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. 

Minnows seem to be working a little better than jigs and the upper end is fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake. 

August 21

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.06 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are back in the low to mid-80s. 

It’s gotten so tough on Lake Greenwood that most people are just taking a break from the black bass, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda (on Murray for a change of pace today) reports that the last tournament had six boats, a big fish of 3.12 pounds, and a winning total weight of 8.14 pounds. As Stan points out the fish have to start eating again at some point, but when is anyone’s guess. 

You can still mark plenty of fish on offshore brush, and, in addition to the new Strike King Tumbleweed, finesse jigs and small worms on a drop shot are other decent options.

Stan has still not fished shallow or heard of a shallow bite.    

The crappie bite has also not improved on Greenwood, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that rebounding water temperatures have not helped just like dropping ones did not. 

Fish have not moved and most of the crappie are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. Minnows seem to be working a little better than jigs and the upper end is fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake. 

August 13

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.08 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are down from 90 into the upper 70s. The upper end of the lake is muddy.

It’s a bit of a head-scratcher why the black bass fishing is so persistently tough on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that in a tournament Saturday night a solid 14 pounds won but behind that were bags of 5 pounds (second and thirdplace), 4 (fourth), and 3 (fifth).   You can still mark fish all over deeper brush and points, but on electronics you can see them coming up to a bait and just looking at it. 

Some anglers report slightly better results fishing the new Strike King Tumbleweed, an odd-shaped lure that Stan was sure he would never fish but has actually started to like. You can fish it on a drop shot or with a nail weight, and apparently because it’s looks so different from anything they’ve seen fish are giving it a few more bites. Finesse jigs and small worms on a drop shot are other decent options.

Stan has not fished shallow or heard of a shallow bite.    

The crappie bite has also not improved on Greenwood, and while Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that in the long run lower temperatures will help, dropping 12-13 degrees in 10 days was just too sudden for the crappie to like. If anything the fishing actually got a little tougher in the last week. 

Fish have not moved and most of the crappie are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. Minnows seem to be working a little better than jigs and the upper end is fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake. 

July 31

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.98 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s. Water clarity is high.

Anyone hoping for magical improvement with the fishing on Lake Greenwood will be disappointed this week, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that your best bet is to stay in the air conditioning. But for anyone willing to try their luck for black bass on Lake Greenwood early and at night are the best times to fish, even though no time is very good. 

The best numbers of fish are still deep, but even the spotted bass aren’t biting particularly well by this point. They will look at crankbaits, worms, jigging spoons, and whatever else you send down to them, but that’s about it. Stan wonders if they get finicky enough this time of year that it’s hard to catch them on anything besides live bait.

There is still the chance to catch fish shallow around sea walls on a Pop-R or bream beds early, but there is short window for that bite and it’s not very good either. 

The crappie bite on Greenwood continues to be really tough, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports it’s still a struggle to catch a limit of fish.   

Most of the crappie are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. Minnows seem to be working a little better than jigs and the upper end is fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake right now. 

Our family is travelling next week for the last week of the summer before our children go back to school, but we will resume weekly fishing reports the following week. Hopefully some cooler weather will give us some exciting changes to relay – although it will still be August in South Carolina!     

July 22

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.00 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s. Water clarity is high.

The crappie bite on Greenwood continues to get tougher, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service(864-980-3672) reports that he is basically encouraging clients to postpone trips (or head to Clarks Hill) unless they want to suffer the heat to catch 15-20 crappie if they are lucky on a six-hour trip. 
Most of the fish are still deep on the main lake, ganged up on structure and particularly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. They are generally in 18-30 feet of water, and how deep they are holding depends on a variety of factors like heat, the height of the cover, water conditions, and time of day. Minnows seem to be working a little better than jigs and the upper end is fishing a bit better than the rest of the lake right now. 

Unfortunately the black bass also seem to be pretty deep in the dog days of summer on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the bite has gotten tough. The best numbers of fish are deep, but even the spotted bass aren’t biting particularly well by this point. They will look at crankbaits, worms, jigging spoons, and whatever else you send down to them, but that’s about it. Stan wonders if they get finicky enough this time of year that it’s hard to catch them on anything besides live bait.

There is still the chance to catch fish shallow around sea walls on a Pop-R or bream beds early, but there is short window for that bite and it’s not very good either. 

We apologize that these reports are running a few days behind – the author had some unexpected issues in his other job arise. 

July 9

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 438.87 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 85-86 degrees. The water is probably clearer than ideal for fishing.     

And just like that the black bass fishing has gotten tougher again on Lake Greenwood, with veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reporting that a combination of intense heat and holiday traffic has probably not helped. Stan and his sons are still marking a bunch of fish on brush, but they have gotten hard to catch and when they do catch a fish it is usually a spot. Everything they have caught has been on a drop shot, and when they drop down a big worm the fish will just look at it. They often do the same with a drop shot, but at least sometimes they will take it. 

With the offshore bite slow, in the mornings it’s still worth casting around the sea walls with Pop-Rs, frogs, and Whopper Ploppers. You can also try to look for bass feeding around bream beds with the full moon tomorrow. 

Unfortunately the crappie on Greenwood have also gotten a lot tougher to catch than last week, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are just finicky now. You really have to mess with them to get them to bite. Most of the fish he is marking are now on the main lake 15-20 feet down in 18-25 feet of water, but Captain Roland notes that with a lot of bait in the creeks he may actually look there as well on his trip tomorrow. Fish are around structure, mostly brush but also bridges, stumps, sunken boats, and logs. He has been fishing with Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew, Blue Dew, and Ugly Green but also plans to try minnows. 

July 2

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.07 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures have risen into the mid-80s or higher. 

Even though it’s been hot for a couple of weeks maybe the black bass just needed time to transition to deep water on Lake Greenwood, but in any event veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that the fishing is really picking up. It’s now taking 20 plus pounds to win night tournaments, and they are mostly catching fish on deep brush piles and of course lights. Crankbaits like a 6XD, Ol’ Monster worms and heavy drop shot rigs are catching fish around the brush piles. 

During the day brush is also the best pattern, but in the morning you can still pick up a fish here or there around the sea walls on Pop-Rs, frogs, and Whopper Ploppers. There is also a decent bite around bream beds, for generally a pretty good grade of fish, but that’s also mainly a very early deal. 

The crappie on Greenwood are continuing their trend from last week, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that fish are simultaneously moving a bit further down in the water column and also continuing to migrate out to the main lake. Most of the better fish are now out of the creeks, and they are holding on main lake brush 10-20 feet down in 15-25 plus feet of water. 

For now Fish Stalker jigs in a variety of chartreuse colors are still working the best, but as water temperatures continue to rise throughout the water column fish will get more finicky and anglers may need to switch over to minnows.