September 21
Lake Wateree is up to 95.3% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the low 80s. Clarity is normal.
There’s a little change with the Lake Wateree crappie this week, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that the fish are starting to move around a bit more. He thinks that is mainly because they are chasing bait more, and so they end up relating to whatever cover is near the bait. Often that has been stumps. He’s also finding a few fish shallower in 15-16 feet, although those are mostly smaller ones.
The best action is still in or near the river channel – from one end of the lake to the other – where most of the crappie are in 18-25 feet. Fish are relating to cover but as noted it’s as likely to be stumps or other random cover as brush. Both minnows and jigs are working but Fish Stalker Slab Tail jigs in Mountain Dew have been working the best.
The catfish bite should continue to improve, and for smaller blue catfish in the two- to six-pound range the best pattern is to drift cut shad on flats in 8-12 feet of water. Occasionally you can pick up larger fish in the low twenties.
When there is no water moving up the lake then the fishing is very slow there, but when there is current from water releases the big blues can bite. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
New bass report to follow from tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden after he returns from travelling through the Holy Land!
September 7
Lake Wateree is at 93.9% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 86.
Dropping water levels have pulled the bass that were shallow out deeper again, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that the last few times he was on the lake the shallow bite was almost non-existent. If the grass floods again then you can fish buzzbaits and Whopper Ploppers around it, but for now it seems like casting at dead water.
The bulk of the fish seem to be offshore, and if you can find bait around points, humps and ledges in 10-20 feet of water then bass are almost certainly nearby. Soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs will all work.
Looking ahead, while Dearal generally still spends a lot of time fishing the main lake in the fall, or at least coves off it, there is also usually a good migration of fish back into the creeks. As noted two weeks ago you can already find shad getting into certain creeks. However, with low water levels it’s uncertain what the bass will do this fall.
There is very little change with the Lake Wateree crappie this week, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that the best pattern is still to fish in or near the river channel – from one end of the lake to the other – where most of the crappie are in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure and holding very tight to it. If the structure rises three feet off the bottom they will usually be a maximum of about three feet off the bottom, and if it rises up eight feet they will usually hold up to eight feet up. Both minnows and jigs are working but Fish Stalker Slab Tail jigs in Mountain Dew have been working the best.
A few smaller fish have moved shallower, but not many, and with low water levels it’s also unclear to what extent crappie will go into the creeks this fall.
The catfish bite should continue to improve, and for smaller blue catfish in the two- to six-pound range the best pattern is to drift cut shad on flats in 8-12 feet of water. Occasionally you can pick up larger fish in the low twenties.
When there is no water moving up the lake then the fishing is very slow there, but when there is current from water releases the big blues can bite. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
August 24
Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s.
With water levels still a little elevated (from where they have been), tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reportsthat it’s worth fishing in the new growth grass for bass. Topwater lures including buzzbaits and Whopper Ploppers will both work around the grass, and swimming a worm through it can also be effective.
While it’s generally still a time when you want to be concentrating on the main lake or the very front part of creeks, Dearal has noticed more bait moving back behind the bridge in Beaver Creek – and so it shouldn’t be too long before bass start to get into the creeks more.
The shallow pattern is pretty much an early morning deal, and when the sun is up the best areas to fish are still points, humps and ledges in 10-20 feet of water. Look for bait offshore to find likely spots and then fish soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs.
The Lake Wateree crappie bite is still pretty good and the fish have not moved at all this week, so veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports the best pattern is still to fish in or near the river channel where most of the crappie are in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure and holding very tight to it. If the structure rises three feet off the bottom they will usually be a maximum of about three feet off the bottom, and if it rises up eight feet they will usually hold up to eight feet up. Both minnows and jigs are working.
For now the creeks and coves are pretty stagnant, and there are few if any crappie back there.
The catfish bite should be improving, and for smaller blue catfish in the two- to six-pound range the best pattern is to drift cut shad on flats in 8-12 feet of water. Occasionally you can pick up larger fish in the low twenties.
When there is no water moving up the lake then the fishing is very slow, but when there is current from water releases the big blues can bite up there. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
August 17
Lake Wateree is at 94.6% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s.
For much of July water levels were in the 93s on Lake Wateree, but tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reportsthat with water levels last week in the 95s and this week in the upper 94s there has actually been some better shallow fishing. With the water up a little some of the new growth grass is covered, and bass are getting in it. Topwater lures including buzzbaits and Whopper Ploppers will both work around the grass, and swimming a worm through it can also be effective.
While it’s generally still a time when you want to be concentrating on the main lake or the very front part of creeks, Dearal has noticed more bait moving back behind the bridge in Beaver Creek – and so it shouldn’t be too long before bass start to get into the creeks more.
The shallow pattern is pretty much an early morning deal, and when the sun is up the best areas to fish are still points, humps and ledges in 10-20 feet of water. Look for bait offshore to find likely spots and then fish soft plastics, crankbaits, and jigs.
The Lake Wateree crappie bite is still pretty good, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that most of the fish are still in or near the river channel with most of the crappie in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure and holding very tight to it. If the structure rises three feet off the bottom they will usually be a maximum of about three feet off the bottom, and if it rises up eight feet they will usually hold up to eight feet up. Both minnows and jigs are working.
For now the creeks and coves are pretty stagnant, and there are few if any crappie back there.
The catfish bite should be improving, and for smaller blue catfish in the two to six pound range the best pattern is to drift cut shad on flats in 8-12 feet of water. Occasionally you can pick up larger fish in the low twenties.
When there is no water moving up the lake then the fishing is very slow, but when there is current from water releases the big blues can bite up there. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
August 3
Lake Wateree is at 94.2% of full pool and the lake was fairly clear before today’s rains. Morning surface water temperatures were up to 87 degrees or more.
There’s still not much change with the bass on Lake Wateree, and with low water levels the deeper patterns continue to fish the best. Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon unless we have a lot of rain or significant cooling.
The best areas to fish are points, humps and ledges in 10-20 feet of water, and you may want to look for bait offshore to find likely spots. Additionally, current can really help, and even though you pretty much want to be fishing the main lake if there is some current coming out of a creek that can be a good spot.
There has also been very little change with the Lake Wateree crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that despite the intense heat the bite has still been pretty good. Fish are in or near the river channel with most of the crappie in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure.
Early in the morning they are generally suspended above the brush but still pretty tight to it, and as the day goes on they get even tighter. The whole main lake is still fishing about the same.
Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color have still been working the best for Will, but other anglers are having success with minnows as long as they are patient.
With the spawn more or less in the rear-view mirror, usually at this time of year the catfish bite improves. For catching smaller eating-sized fish in the 1-6 pound range drifting cut shad on shallow flats is a dynamite pattern, while larger fish can be found near known clam beds in 8-17 feet.
There is also good fishing for larger blues in the upper lake when there is current from water releases. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
July 27
Lake Wateree is at 93.9% of full pool and at least the middle to lower lake is fairly clear. Morning surface water temperatures are up to 87 degrees or more.
With low water levels the deeper patterns are fishing the best, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that he doesn’t expect that to change any time soon unless we have a lot of rain or significant cooling. The best areas to fish are points, humps and ledges in 10-20 feet of water, and you may want to look for some bait offshore to find likely spots. Additionally, current can really help, and even though you pretty much want to be fishing the main lake if there is some current coming out of a creek that can be a good spot.
There has been very little change with the Lake Wateree crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that despite the intense heat the bite has still been pretty good. Fish have migrated towards the river channel with most of the crappie in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure.
Early in the morning they are generally suspended above the brush but still pretty tight to it, and as the day goes on they get even tighter. While the lower lake was slow a couple of weeks ago, the whole main lake is now fishing about the same.
Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color have still been working the best for Will, but other anglers are having success with minnows as long as they are patient.
With the spawn more or less in the rear-view mirror, usually at this time of year the catfish bite improves. For catching smaller eating-sized fish in the 1-6 pound range drifting cut shad on shallow flats is a dynamite pattern, while larger fish can be found near known clam beds in 8-17 feet.
There is also good fishing for larger blues in the upper lake when there is current from water releases. To target these fish anchor large cut baits on the bottom in deep water bends.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
July 13
Lake Wateree is at 94.0% of full pool and the lake has about normal visibility – the lower end is pretty clear, while up around June Creek there is some stain. Morning surface water temperatures are up to 84 degrees or more.
There has been some change with the Lake Wateree crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that as expected fish are migrating towards the river channel. There are no longer very many fish in less than 15 feet of water, and most of the crappie are in 18-25 feet. They are virtually all on some sort of structure.
Early in the morning they are generally suspended above the brush but still pretty tight to it, and as the day goes on they get even tighter. Because the water has gotten so hot the mid-lake on up is fishing best because there is a little more current. However, yesterday Will did catch some fish down at the mouth of Colonel Creek.
Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color have still been working the best for Will, but other anglers are having success with minnows as long as they are patient.
It’s a broken record, but tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that Lake Wateree continues to fish surprisingly well for bass with 18-20 pound bags pretty regularly winning. Low water level still mean the offshore bite is preferred, and fishing around humps, points and rock in 10-15 feet is the best pattern. Jigs, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads will all work.
About the best shallow pattern comes early in the morning when there is a good bite off points with topwater lures and flukes. These fish will pull out deeper as soon as the sun comes up.
Deeper docks on the main lake have also been holding some fish that will take jigs, and in general the main lake is still the best area to fish.
Usually at this time of year more teenage-sized catfish start to show up, but as the spawn winds down and recent spawners recover it’s still easier to catch juveniles in the 2-6 pound range. The best pattern is typically drifting 8-14 feet of water on shallow flats or anchoring in the same areas, and small pieces of cut shad are the best bait.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
June 28
Lake Wateree is back down to 94.4% of full pool and the lake has got some color but is fairly clear on the lower end. Morning surface water temperatures are up to 79 or 80 degrees.
Lake Wateree continues to fish surprisingly well for bass, with a couple of bags in the 18s in last weekend’s CATT Wateree Open and with most people managing to catch limits. Still, tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that up-and-down water levels have complicated the fishing this week, and over the weekend water levels shot up a couple of feet before Duke pulled them back down just as quickly.
That has created challenges for shallow fishing, while the offshore bite has been pretty stable. Fishing around humps, points and rock in 10-15 feet is still probably the best pattern. Jigs, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads will all work.
About the best shallow pattern comes early in the morning when there is a good bite off points with topwater lures and flukes. These fish will pull out deeper as soon as the sun comes up.
The bream bed bite has been trickier with unstable levels, but if you can find bream beds there will be bass around them. These fish will take Senkos, topwater lures including prop baits and poppers, and jigs.
Deeper docks on the main lake have also been holding some fish that will take jigs, and in general the main lake is still the best area to fish.
Even though it’s getting hot there has been no slow down with the Lake Wateree crappie yet, and in fact veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that it has actually gotten much better. Monday he had 7 fish that went for 12.31, and one that was almost 2 ½ pounds!
Almost all of the fish are on structure, and they are mostly on brush in 18-27 feet of water, with some fish suspended above it and some down in it. But while brush piles hold the most fish, there are times when bigger ones will be in smaller groups on something different like a stump or tree. Most of the productive water is in the main lake and even along the edge of the old river channel.
Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color have still been working the best despite the water color changing a bit.
This is usually a good time for catching lots of eating-sized catfish in the 2-6 pound range as the bigger fish are spawning right now, and the best pattern is typically drifting 8-14 feet of water on shallow flats or anchoring in the same areas. Small pieces of cut shad are the best bait.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
June 22
Lake Wateree is at 94.5% of full pool and the lake is still clear on the lower end. Morning surface water temperatures are still around 76 degrees.
The Lake Wateree crappie are still biting very well, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that 90 plus percent of the fish have now gotten on some sort of structure. They are mostly on brush in 18-27 feet of water, with some fish suspended above it and some down in it. Most of the productive water is in the main lake and even along the edge of the old river channel.
This week Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color have been working the best.
The bass bite has been pretty good on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that there are a few different ways to catch fish, but the winning pattern recently seems to have been fishing offshore around humps, points and rock in 10-15 feet. Jigs, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads will all work.
There has also been a good early morning bite off points, with both topwater lures and flukes catching fish. Finally, there have been a decent number of bass up shallow around bream beds. These fish will take Senkos, topwater lures including prop baits and poppers, and jigs.
With the water low the main lake is the best area to fish.
This is usually a good time for catching lots of eating-sized catfish in the 2-6 pound range as the bigger fish are spawning right now, and the best pattern is typically drifting 8-14 feet of water on shallow flats or anchoring in the same areas. Small pieces of cut shad are the best bait.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
June 15
Lake Wateree is at 94.2% of full pool and the lake is still clear on the lower end. Morning surface water temperatures are still around 76 degrees.
The Lake Wateree crappie are biting very well, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that even though a few fish are still “floating” around in open water by now most of them have gotten on brush. They are mostly on brush in 21-28 feet of water, and they have been suspended from 12 feet down to the bottom. Most of the productive water is in the main lake and even along the edge of the old river channel.
Fish Stalker jigs in pearl white have been working very well.
The offshore bite continues to be the best thing going for bass on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that it has taken about 18 pounds to win recent tournaments. Offshore humps, points and rock in 10-15 feet have been producing, and they are all better if you can find some current. Jigs, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shaky heads will all work.
You definitely want to fish the main lake, and if you want to fish docks they need to have deep water nearby.
This is usually a good time for catching lots of eating-sized catfish in the 2-6 pound range as the bigger fish are spawning right now, and the best pattern is typically drifting 8-14 feet of water on shallow flats or anchoring in the same areas. Small pieces of cut shad are the best bait.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
June 8
Lake Wateree is at 93.7% of full pool and the lake is still clear on the lower end. Morning surface water temperatures have gotten up to about 76 degrees.
The Lake Wateree crappie are really stacking up on brush, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that on the water this week he has seen some brush piles with thousands of fish on them. There are still plenty of fish just floating around, too, but in the coming weeks most of them will get on brush as well.
Generally the fish are moving a little deeper, and he is finding most of the fish on cover in 25-35 feet of water. The exception is when a hump rises out of deep water, and then he can catch them in 12-22 feet. You can eliminate the middle to backs of creeks, but most everything else including very deep water is in play. Most of the fish are 4-5 feet off the bottom.
While there are certainly some good fish on big brush piles, a lot of the crappie are ½ to ¾ pounds. Some of the better fish are in small groups on something like a stump, and yesterday they caught five over 1 ½ pounds on one stump. Earlier in the week they caught a fish that was almost two pounds by itself on a piece of cover!
The jig bite is very good again with no reason to throw minnows, and Fish Stalker jigs in pearl white, glimmer blue and Mountain Dew have been working very well.
As water temperatures rise it seems that bass are going deep, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that on Saturday the top anglers were fishing offshore. This year that may be an even better summer pattern than usual with water levels so low, and humps, points and rock in 10-15 feet have been producing. They are all better if you can find some current. Jigs, crankbaits, Carolina rigs and shakey heads will all work.
You definitely want to fish the main lake, and if you want to fish docks they need to have deep water nearby.
This is usually a good time for catching lots of eating-sized catfish in the 2-6 pound range as the bigger fish are spawning right now, and the best pattern is typically drifting 8-14 feet of water on shallow flats or anchoring in the same areas. Small pieces of cut shad are the best bait.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
June 2
Lake Wateree is at 94.3% of full pool and the lake is still clear on the lower end. Morning surface water temperatures dropped to about 68 after the weekend but have risen to 71.
Even with cool water temperatures a seasonal progression with the crappie continues on Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that this week there are still lots of fish “floating” in open water in 25-32 feet but there are also more good fish starting to stack up on brush. The deeper brush in 25-32 feet seems to be holding the better fish, while you can find all the smaller fish you want on brush in 15-22 feet. Even when they are on deep brush many of the fish are suspended very high in it.
There has not been much in the creeks and coves lately, and when fish are close to the bank they are in steep areas.
While there are some fish that seem to want minnows more than jigs, overall Fish Stalker jigs in blue dew, pearl white, and “monkey milk” are doing very well. Each day he has fished Will has caught limits.
Without a rise in water temperatures it’s unsurprising that bass are still in a transition period on Lake Wateree, but tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that after the recent rains they have bit a little better and the shallow bite in particular has come on a bit. Docks and shallow points have been fishing particularly well.
First thing in the morning there is a good topwater bite around the bank and particularly on the shallow part of points, and later in the day fish can also be caught in 8-12 feet of water off points with Carolina rigs. Look from the middle of creeks out to the main lake.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
May 25
Lake Wateree is at 93.5% of full pool and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 74 degrees.
There are basically two ways to catch crappie this week on Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that there are still a large number of fish just “floating” in open water. While they never really went very shallow this year, these fish have now moved out to deeper water and he is finding them in 25-32 feet. Generally they are suspended 10-22 feet down. While Will is looking at them on LiveScope and casting to them, you could also slowly tight-line for these fish.
There are also a very large number of fish that have gotten on brush piles, generally in 12-22 feet of water. They are generally suspended on the brush, and at the deeper end of the range they are usually in the top of it. The one catch is that right now, while you can pick up an occasional bigger fish on brush, most are in the 8-10 inch range. The bigger fish still seem to be in open water.
Right now Fish Stalker jigs in glimmer blue, Mountain Dew and pearl white are all working. If the rain this weekend muddies the water Will expects to keep using Mountain Dew but also switch over to some darker black or dark blue jigs.
The bass are in a transition period on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that the shad spawn has pretty much wound down but fish also haven’t really gotten offshore. Some fish can be found in 8-12 feet of water off points with Carolina rigs, and first thing in the morning there is a good topwater bite around the bank and particularly on the shallow part of points. Look from the middle of creeks out to the main lake.
If you can find docks with some water on them they are also holding fish.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
May 11
Lake Wateree is at 93.6% of full pool and the upper lake and creeks and are dingy. Morning surface water temperatures are about 70 degrees.
There’s been some significant change with the crappie this week on Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that as the current decreased, water levels have normalized (the new “normal”), and temperatures have risen fish have gotten into new patterns. There are a lot of fish suspended in 22-30 feet of water, with the most catchable of these in 6-12 feet. The fish that are closer to the bottom are harder to get to bite.
But the biggest change is that the fish have moved onto brush, and Will estimates that perhaps half of the brush piles now have fish on them. He has found fish on brush as shallow as 12 feet in the creeks.
Casting Fish Stalker jigs is working very well.
The bass spawn is mostly over, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that the best bite right now should be post-spawn pattern with fish feeding on shad. Again, while the shad are everywhere as is usually the case on Lake Wateree the bass aren’t with all of them. When you find bass keying on shad it’s an early morning bite, and it could be around anything still in the water from docks to rocks to grass that allows the shad to rub their eggs out. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits and square-billed crankbaits can all be effective. During the day bass will often lay under the same docks where shad spawned early.
Finally, a bream spawn should start soon and concentrate bass. Keep searching for areas where bream are spawning with atypical water levels.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
May 4
Lake Wateree is at 94.3% of full pool and there is a lot of muddy water and trash up the lake, while the lower end is okay. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 60s.
Saying that water levels are about the same as at last report doesn’t begin to tell the story, and with all the rain in North Carolina the lake came up four feet in a couple of days before dropping the same amount just as fast. Perhaps unsurprisingly the crappie are dodging the ripping current, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that they are staying out of main channel and feeding better in the mouths of coves and pockets just off the main lake. Understandably they also don’t want to go too far back into the creeks with water levels up and down.
Fish are still all over the water column in 18-35 feet, and a mix of techniques including tight-lining, long-lining and casting can catch them. But it’s not easy fishing right now.
With the full moon this week tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that there should be one more decent wave of bass spawning, but he would look for them to spawn closer to the main lake. The way that water levels have been up and down so fast he wouldn’t expect them to swim back into the creeks, although this is unfamiliar territory.
But the better bite right now is for post-spawn fish, and shad are spawning everywhere. However, as is usually the case on Lake Wateree the bass aren’t with all of them. When you find bass keying on shad it’s an early morning bite, and it could be around anything still in the water from docks to rocks to grass that allows the shad to rub their eggs out. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits and square-billed crankbaits can all be effective. During the day bass will often lay under the same docks where shad spawned early.
Finally, there should be bream spawning everywhere right now, but there are not. It probably has to do with water levels, but keep your eyes open for this to start.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
April 20
Lake Wateree is down to 93.9% of full pool and the lake is clearing again. Morning surface water temperatures are around 67-68 degrees.
In just a few days they dropped the water even lower than it had been before it rose several feet on Lake Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that when that happened the crappie fishing slowed way down. Now the better fish are basically just laying on the bottom recovering from the spawn, and about the only way they can catch fish is tight-lining, long-lining or casting to pick up a few fish here or there in open water. Fish are all over the water column in 18-35 feet, and there are also lots of males in deeper parts of the creeks.
The fishing should turn around before this, but at the very least Will looks forward to when water temperatures hit about 75 degrees which is usually the magic number for them to get on brush.
Last week we wrote that “The sudden jump in water levels is another complication for Lake Wateree bass, especially since the water is expected to drop again quickly,” and this week we are dealing with exactly that. Overall tournamentangler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that there have been some very good bags at the top but also tough conditions for a lot of people.
It's mostly post-spawn fishing right now, but it is still worth looking for bed fish. However, probably the primary pattern is targeting bass that are feeding on spawning shad. This is an early morning bite, and the shad will be around anything still in the water from docks to rocks to grass that allows them to rub the eggs out. Spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimbaits and square-billed crankbaits can all be effective.
During the day fish will often be found in the shade of docks, especially in areas where shad were spawning earlier.
Dearal has not heard of a bream spawn yet, but it should be coming and will group up bass.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating.
April 11
Lake Wateree has shot up to 97.6% of full pool but at least the lower lake is still pretty clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 62 degrees.
It continues to be an unusual spring for crappie on Lake Wateree, but veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that the fish are biting. He is still finding the best action out in about 26 feet of water where he is mostly catching post-spawn males, but they are also picking up a few females still with eggs. Generally fish are just swimming around in open water, and he is targeting them by casting jigs. You could also troll, and some are in open water much shallower than 25 feet.
There are also a few fish around the bank, but with the jump in water levels they are extremely spread out. There are also some post-spawn females out in very deep water recovering.
Finally, a few fish are starting to set up on brush but there aren’t a lot and so maybe one out of ten brush piles will have fish.
The sudden jump in water levels is another complication for Lake Wateree bass, especially since the water is expected to drop again quickly, and overall tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that the fishing has been a little off. The fish that are on beds were a little spooky with the low water levels, and there’s no telling what the several foot rise will now do. Overall the best places to fish have been pockets and docks that have water on them.
The next excitement should be the post-spawn bite when fish generally key on spawning shad, and places where there is water on grass should be good. Spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are both effective at this time. With unusual water conditions it’s hard to know where the fish will be, but look in both the creeks and the main lake.
Again, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) won’t be targeting catfish on Lake Wateree again until water levels normalize. He reminds anglers to exercise caution navigating once the water drops again.