January 28

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 434.59 (full pool is 440.0). Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 30s to low 40s. 

One major cold front with ice moved the black bass deeper, but tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that a second major cold front and possibly accompanying snow this weekend will just cement that trend. Now channel and creek swings are the best places to look for fish, and while rocky points are still good you want to concentrate on rock in 10-15 feet of water. Far less fish will be around shallower rock.  And deeper docks are almost certainly better than shallow ones. At this time of year Alabama rigs always play well on Greenwood and this year is no exception, and jigging spoons are also working well. For rocky point crankbaits and jigs are also good. 

Of course, for guys fishing “the abyss” with LiveScope a minnow-type swimbait on a jighead is productive. 

While Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) hasn’t been fishing since the last report and won’t go again until Friday, it’s a near-certainty that the fishing hasn’t gotten better. When temperatures drop like this things rarely if ever improve. With the weather ahead he also expects a shad kill.

Still, patterns are unlikely to have changed and the fish should still mostly be in 20-35 feet of water chasing bait, generally holding 10-20 feet down depending on the depth of the water. The middle to upper lake has been the most productive, with most fish still from the main channel to the mouth of the creeks. If you are using LiveScope you can cast jigs to the fish, but otherwise traditional trolling or tight-lining techniques will also work. 

January 21

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 434.51 (full pool is 440.0). Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees. 

The cold front could change everything, but tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that there are more black bass patterns in the mix this week. In addition to a good jigging spoon bite (which the cold snap and an ensuing shad kill could improve), there have also been some heavy bags of fish caught “dirt shallow” in the backs of creeks with a Rattle Trap. Dropping temperatures are unlikely to help that bite. Then predictably there have been some of the best bags caught LiveScoping in open water. 

But none of that is Stan’s preferred pattern right now, and he still thinks the best way to catch a big bag is throwing an Alabama rig around deeper docks.

The crappie aren’t doing very much different from a week or two ago, with one big exception, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the fish are still mostly off brush in 20-35 feet of water chasing bait, generally holding 10-20 feet down depending on the depth of the water. The middle to upper lake has been the most productive, with most fish still from the main channel to the mouth of the creeks. If you are using LiveScope you can cast jigs to the fish, but otherwise traditional trolling or tight-lining techniques will also work. 

Unfortunately, the big change is that they just aren’t biting very well – which is about right with temperatures in the mid-40s. And with the weather coming in Captain Roland obviously expects the lockjaw to only get worse. 

January 8

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 434.93 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is clear for Greenwood. Morning surface water temperatures are around 51 degrees. 

There’s a different black bass pattern this week on Lake Greenwood, and tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that a jigging spoon has been the best thing going on the lake. Even the “perch jerkers” are getting in on the action, and getting 5-pound largemouth mixed in with white perch has been a non-unusual phenomenon. You can either jig around bait schools or brush, but either way about 18 feet has been the ideal depth. The creeks have had fish but the main lake has been more productive. 

The secondary pattern remains fishing an Alabama rig either deep or around docks. 

By now the crappie have made a big move, and Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that the fish are almost entirely off brush at this point. They are generally in 20-35 feet of water chasing bait, generally holding 10-20 feet down depending on the depth of the water. The middle to upper lake has been the most productive, with most fish still from the main channel to the mouth of the creeks. If you are using LiveScope you can cast jigs to the fish, but otherwise traditional trolling or tight-lining techniques will also work. 

December 23

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 435.74 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is still fairly clear with a slight stain up the lake. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low 50s. 

It hasn’t gotten cold enough to push the black bass out deep on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that one group of fish is still very shallow following bait. They can be caught on Alabama rigs, Rattle traps, jerkbaits, and crankbaits from the bank to 6 feet of water around docks and rocks. Look for birds like herons to locate fish, and Stan notes that the creeks are still holding good numbers of largemouth.

But especially with the explosion of the spotted bass population there is another group of fish offshore, both on the main lake and in the middle of the creek runs. The best option for catching these fish is throwing something like a minnow-type swimbait and utilizing LiveScope. 

The crappie are still on average mixed about 50/50 between brush and open water, but Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that while he was on Clarks Hill there were some below-average reports from Greenwood this weekend. It seems that fish were on the bottom and harder to locate. 

The action still varies from day to day, and some days more fish will be on brush, while other days most of the fish will just be swimming around in open water. And it’s very hard to find an obvious reason such as sunlight or temperature. Until about the end of December fish will probably remain unpredictable.  

The best bet is still fishing the middle to upper main lake 10-20 feet down in 15-30 feet of water. You can usually catch some fish around brush but electronics will tell you whether it is likely to be more productive on a given day to target brush or follow bait schools. 

Jigs are still working better than minnows with Fish Stalker Blue Dew the best color. 

December 17

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 436.10 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is still fairly clear with a slight stain up the lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from the low 50s on the main lake to about 48 in the creeks. 

There were some good bags of black bass in tournaments on Greenwood this weekend, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that one group of fish is very shallow following bait trying to warm in the sun. They can be caught on Alabama rigs, Rattle traps, jerkbaits, and crankbaits from the bank to 6 feet of water around docks and rocks.  Look for birds like herons to locate fish, and Stan notes that the creeks are still holding good numbers of largemouth.

But especially with the explosion of the spotted bass population there is another group of fish offshore, both on the main lake and in the middle of the creek runs. The best option for catching these fish is throwing something like a minnow-type swimbait and utilizing LiveScope. 

By this point the crappie are mixed about 50/50 between brush and open water, but Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that can vary from day to day. Some days more fish will be on brush, while other days most of the fish will just be swimming around in open water. And it’s very hard to find an obvious reason such as sunlight or temperature. Until about the end of December fish will probably remain unpredictable.  

The best bet is still fishing the middle to upper main lake 10-20 feet down in 15-30 feet of water.  You can usually catch some fish around brush but electronics will tell you whether it is likely to be more productive on a given day to target brush or follow bait schools. 

Jigs are still working better than minnows with Fish Stalker Blue Dew the best color.

 

December 3

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 436.73 (full pool is 440.0) and the lake is still fairly clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 56-57 degrees.  

The black bass are biting better as it gets cooler on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports that after a long wait the creeks have really come alive. Fishing an Alabama rig around docks has been one of the most productive patterns, but anglers are also catching a ton of spotted bass (mostly small) Live-Scoping with a minnow-type swimbait in the middle of the creeks towards the backs. Some fish are also being caught cranking around rock.

While Stan reports that birds are around the striped bass are only just beginning to feed around them, but his son did catch a monster 4.9 pound spotted bass casting at diving birds.   

The crappie fishing is still strong, and while Captain Roland Addy with Carolina Crappie Guide Service (864-980-3672) reports that any time now fish should start to move off of structure it really hasn’t happened yet. They will move off of brush for a minute, but soon return to it. For now the best bet is still fishing the middle to upper main lake 10-20 feet down over structure (especially brush piles) in 15-30 feet. Jigs are now working better than minnows with Fish Stalker Blue Dew the best color. 

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.