October 26

Lake Wateree is at 95.5% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 69 degrees on the lower end and about 65 degrees up the lake. Clarity is normal. 

The crappie are still biting well on Lake Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that some fish have also moved shallower. He caught some in as little as 12 feet yesterday, and there are also still a lot out in 25-31 feet. They are still on the main lake around structure and underwater islands, and regardless of depth they seem to be on the bottom. There are very few suspended fish as of now.  Fish can be found from the mouth of Wateree Creek to the dam.  

Minnows and jigs are working about the same, with Mountain Dew the best color in Fish Stalker jigs. 

Will also reports that he’s seen a lot of striped bass schooling this week, and they have generally been chasing shad out in the middle of the lake. He has seen big schools in front of Clearwater Cove, but yesterday only a few were popping there. In general they have been over deep water. 

There’s no real change with the bass fishing this week on Lake Wateree, although tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that some shad have moved a little further into the backs further opening up more of the lake to bass fishing. Finding the fish continues to be all about finding the bait, and you can now find fish from most of the way back in the creeks to the fronts of creeks to coves and pockets right off the main lake.

The other major factor you need to think about is weather, and on cloudy days you are more likely to have a longer window with topwater lures and then reaction baits like a spinnerbait. (Every morning in low-light conditions it’s worth throwing a Pop-R off points right now). But on bright, sunny days you will need to fish soft plastics like a shaky head once the sun is up. As water levels normalize docks are coming more into play, and there is also more grass in the water.

Continue to have a topwater lure unhooked and hanging off the side of the boat ready to throw, because fish can come up anywhere. It’s also a good time to have a lipless crankbait ready because they can be dynamite in the mid- to late fall on Wateree. 

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. 

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.

October 19

Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Clarity is normal. 

The crappie are really biting on Lake Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that from one end of the main lake to the other they are catching fish. There are still fish in 25-30 feet, but he has also found them as shallow as 14-15 feet. In general they are moving shallower and higher in the water column.   Crappie are still related to structure, and they are not yet just “floating” around and chasing shad. Minnows and jigs are working about the same, with Mountain Dew the best color in Fish Stalker jigs. 

It’s definitely fall bass fishing on Lake Wateree now, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that at this time of year it’s all about the bait. The bait will be moving based in large part upon the location of plankton, which is affected by wind direction, and if you aren’t fishing near shad you won’t be around as many fish.

In the fall a lot of the fish migrate into the creeks, and that is certainly going on now, but fishing can also be good in coves and pockets right off the main lake. With the water down and mild temperatures fish can be found about everywhere right now. 

The other major factor you need to think about is weather, and on cloudy days you are more likely to have a longer window with topwater lures and then reaction baits like a spinnerbait. (Every morning in low-light conditions it’s worth throwing a Pop-R off points). But on bright, sunny days you will need to fish soft plastics like a shaky head once the sun is up. Don’t overlook docks, even ones without a lot of water, because they often have brush out front of them. Grass with water on it is also a good target. 

Continue to have a topwater lure unhooked and hanging off the side of the boat ready to throw, because fish can come up anywhere. It’s also a good time to have a lipless crankbait ready because they are dynamite in the mid- to late fall on Wateree. 

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. 

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.

October 13

Lake Wateree is at 95.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 70s. Clarity is normal. 

It’s definitely fall bass fishing on Lake Wateree now, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that at this time of year it’s all about the bait. The bait will be moving based in large part upon the location of plankton, which is affected by wind direction, and if you aren’t fishing near shad you won’t be around as many fish.

In the fall a lot of the fish migrate into the creeks, and that is certainly going on now, but fishing can also be good in coves and pockets right off the main lake. With the water down and mild temperatures fish can be found about everywhere right now. 

The other major factor you need to think about is weather, and on cloudy days you are more likely to have a longer window with topwater lures and then reaction baits like spinnerbait. (Every morning in low-light conditions it’s worth throwing a Pop-R off points). But on bright, sunny days you will need to fish soft plastics like a shaky head once the sun is up. Don’t overlook docks, even ones without a lot of water, because they often have brush out front of them.  Grass with water on it is also a good target. 

Finally, a useful tip right now is to always have a topwater lure unhooked and hanging off the side of the boat ready to throw. They can come up anywhere!

The crappie were doing exactly what veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt expected in this week’s tournament on Lake Wateree, and he and most of the field were fishing stumps and brush on or near the main river channel in 25-30 feet of water. They caught over 30 fish between a pound and a pound and a quarter (and 7 bigger) fishing this way, but they never could get rid of a 1.30 pound fish that kept them .55 pounds out of first place and finishing fourth. The winners had 11.01, and they had 10.46.

The best action came in the mid-lake area, and Fish Stalker jigs in Mountain Dew color as well as small minnows worked the best. 

While the striped bass haven’t really started schooling yet on Lake Wateree, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that he has been catching scattered fish about 15 feet down on swimbaits and shiners. He is finding the most fish on the lower end of the main lake in areas where he locates bait.   

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. 

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.

October 5

Lake Wateree is at 94.9% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Clarity is normal. 

It’s starting to get into more of a fall bass pattern on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that locating bait is really important since fish are going to be near it. Wind can also be really important, including for locating bait, and wind-blown areas are likely to hold the most fish. 

More fish are moving shallow, and so the bite with a Pop-R around points first things continues to improve. A buzzbait is also a good option, and if you can find any grass in the water that’s a really good place to throw it.   

While there are less good docks than usual right now, Dearal says it’s still worth fishing a worm or jig around the ones that are in the water and fishing the brush out in front of docks. 

With temperatures very stable there’s still no big move from the Lake Wateree crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that the best action is still in the main river channel in 18-25 feet of water. Fish are thinning out a little on brush, and they are moving to stumps more – especially stumps in the vicinity of the bait they are chasing. They are also a little higher in the water column, although not necessarily in shallower water. You can find some fish in 14-15 feet, but for now they are still mostly smaller.

The next move will be when fish almost completely pull off of cover and move into open water following bait, and then they will also usually get closer to the bottom. 

Both minnows and jigs are working but Fish Stalker Slab Tail jigs in Mountain Dew have been working the best.   

While the striped bass haven’t really started schooling yet on Lake Wateree, Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that he has been catching scattered fish about 15 feet down on swimbaits and shiners. He is finding the most fish on the lower end of the main lake in areas where he locates bait.   

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. 

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.

September 29

Lake Wateree is up to 94.9% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Clarity is normal. 

With tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden just returning from the Holy Land, it will be next week before we get a bass report from him. But fortunately CATT owner Brett Collins of Ridgeway was willing to step in with an update, and Brett points out that it’s been taking about 15 pounds to win on the lake. That’s down from some 20 pound bags late this summer, but the fish are still chomping.

The best bite right now is with a Pop-R first things around points and any grass that is in the water. After that the best way to catch fish is with a Carolina rig off points, mainly on the main lake with water temperatures where they are right now. With so few docks in the water that pattern isn’t where it usually is.

Brett has no doubt that fish will be making their way into the coves and creeks this fall, even though water levels are down. When Lake Murray water levels have been way down it hasn’t stopped fish from moving back!

Things are slowly changing with the Lake Wateree crappie, but veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that the best action is still in the main river channel in 18-25 feet of water. Fish are thinning out a little on brush, and they are moving to stumps more – especially stumps in the vicinity of the bait they are chasing. They are also a little higher in the water column, although not necessarily in shallower water. You can find some fish in 14-15 feet, but for now they are still mostly smaller.

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.   

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.