August 24

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s or higher. 

Weights are still fairly low in local bass tournaments, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that a good bag is about 13 pounds. For now shallow fishing remains pretty tough, and a high percentage of the bass are still in about 15-25 feet. You can find them around humps, river channel swings, and other depth changes – often at the mouths of creeks. By this stage of the summer offshore fish are generally wanting more finesse-oriented baits, and a drop shot or shaky head is probably the best bet. 

Of course there are still a few fish around the banks, and the morning is by far the best time to target them. These fish are basically feeding on bream, and worms and jigs continue to work for them – especially around docks. You can also get bites on a buzzbait or popper. 

Things should change very soon, but for now the white perch and crappie are still suspended in deep water because of oxygen levels. The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they are mostly 10-15 feet down in 25-40 feet, and they can be found both on main lake flats and in the main river channel. 

The best way to catch both species is still with minnows. 

It’s still a pretty good bite for catfish on Lake Wylie right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are catching a good number of fish from about 8-21 pounds. The best pattern has been drifting on the main lake, and they are finding the fish around humps in about 28-31 feet of water. Cut shad and white perch are both working.

While it’s tough to say whether daytime or nighttime fishing is better right now, and the night bite has actually been a bit unpredictable at times, it’s certainly more comfortable!

August 17

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and clarity is normal.  Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s or higher. 

It’s a pretty good bite for catfish on Lake Wylie right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they are catching a good number of fish from about 8-21 pounds. The best pattern has been drifting on the main lake, and they are finding the fish around humps in about 28-31 feet of water. Cut shad and white perch are both working.

While it’s tough to say whether daytime or nighttime fishing is better right now, and the night bite has actually been a bit unpredictable at times, it’s certainly more comfortable!

Things should change soon, but for now the white perch and crappie are still suspended in deep water because of oxygen levels. The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they are mostly 10-15 feet down in 25-40 feet, and they can be found both on main lake flats and in the main river channel. 

The best way to catch both species is still with minnows. 

Weights are still fairly low in local bass tournaments, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that a good bag is about 13 pounds. For now shallow fishing remains pretty tough, and a high percentage of the bass are still in about 15-25 feet.  You can find them around humps, river channel swings, and other depth changes – often at the mouths of creeks. By this stage of the summer offshore fish are generally wanting more finesse-oriented baits, and a drop shot or shaky head is probably the best bet. 

Of course there are still a few fish around the banks, and the morning is by far the best time to target them.  These fish are basically feeding on bream, and worms and jigs continue to work for them – especially around docks. You can also get bites on a buzzbait or popper. 

August 4

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid-80s after the rain. 

Nighttime fishing for catfish on Lake Wylie has finally surpassed the daytime bite, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the action after dark has been very good. They are catching many blue cats in the upper teens and lower 20s, as well as the occasional flathead in the 10-20 pound range. The best bait has been cut shad and bluegill, and they are having the best success anchoring and fan-casting baits from 3-20 feet. Both the creeks and main lake are producing.

During the day the action is still good, but they are getting a mix of small blue and channel catfish ranging from about 4-16 pounds. Drifting in 6 to 25 feet of water with cut white perch and shad has been the best pattern. 

In another sign of late summer the white perch and particularly the crappie have started to move deeper, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that they are now suspending 10-15 feet down over deeper water in 25-40 feet. They can be found both on main lake flats and in the main river channel. This happens every year and is related to the dissolved oxygen levels in deeper water. 

The best way to catch both species is still with minnows. 

Weights have dropped off a bit in local bass tournaments, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the last event he saw only took about 10 pounds. Part of that is a function of the heat, and there are far less fish around the banks than earlier this summer. A high percentage of the bass are now in about 15-25 feet, and you can find them around humps, river channel swings, and other depth changes – often at the mouths of creeks. By this stage of the summer offshore fish are generally wanting more finesse-oriented baits, and a drop shot or shaky head is probably the best bet. When Reid pulled up on a brush pile in about 20 feet Wednesday he immediately started catching bass up to 3 pounds on a drop shot. 

Of course there are still a few fish around the banks, and the morning is by far the best time to target them. These fish are basically feeding on bream, and worms and jigs continue to work for them – especially around docks. You can also get bites on a buzzbait or popper. 

July 28

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s. 

There have been some better bags caught recently in the Thursday night events, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that last night an impressive Wylie summer sack of 15 pounds took the win. Behind that was a more normal 12 pounds, but there are certainly some signs of life with the Lake Wylie bass fishing. 

There are still fish around the banks but with the summer heat there are less than a few weeks ago. These fish are basically feeding on bream, and worms and jigs continue to work for them – especially around docks. You can also get bites on a buzzbait or popper. 

A lot of fish have headed offshore, and now the generic depth range around offshore structure is about 12-26 feet. Look around humps, river channel swings, and other depth changes – often at the mouths of creeks. By this stage of the summer offshore fish are generally wanting more finesse-oriented baits, and a drop shot or shaky head is probably the best bet. 

In many areas the crappie and white perch are still mixed together pretty well, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that about half the fish are in the mouths of creeks in 20-25 feet of water. The other half are mostly on main lake flats at the same depth. The crappie are generally suspended about halfway down or deeper, while the perch are in huge schools reaching from the bottom to the middle of the water column or higher. Still, they usually fish for them on the bottom. Minnow rigs are best for both species right now.  

It's not unusual to get into a school with more of one than another, and this week Chris found some really good crappie action. 

It’s a drifting bite for catfish on Lake Wylie right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that his two primary daytime patterns are drifting deeper points and drops from 22-30 feet and then drifting flats ranging from 12-20 feet. Cut gizzard shad have been his preferred bait, and they are also catching fish on bluegill. 

At night they are picking up a few flatheads – nothing huge right now – on cut bream by anchoring on shallow points. Throw baits from the bank out to where the depths drop, ranging roughly from 3-15 feet. Surprisingly daytime fishing seems to be better than the night bite right now.  

July 21

Lake Wylie is at 97.6% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. 

It’s a drifting bite for catfish on Lake Wylie right now, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that his two primary daytime patterns are drifting deeper points and drops from 22-30 feet and then drifting flats ranging from 12-20 feet. Cut gizzard shad have been his preferred bait, and they are also catching fish on bluegill. 

At night they are picking up a few flatheads – nothing huge right now – on cut bream by anchoring on shallow points. Throw baits from the bank out to where the depths drop, ranging roughly from 3-15 feet. Surprisingly daytime fishing seems to be better than the night bite right now.  

July 14

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and water conditions are normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees.

There’s another pattern for catching catfish on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that the massive schools of white perch at the mouths of creeks and on the main lake flats in 20-25 feet of water are, predictably, drawing in the cats. Drifting cut white perch under the schools is a dynamite pattern, and yesterday morning they caught eighteen fish between 10 and 25 pounds fishing this way. Monday they caught half that number in an hour or two after lunch. 

Looking at the graph, it’s pretty easy to see why the catfish would want to be there. 

Don’t forget that the perch are fun to catch in their own right, offering very fast action, and also make delicious table fare. 

 

July 13

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and water conditions are normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees. 

There’s not a whole lot of change with bass fishing patterns on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there are still a pretty good number of fish around the banks that are basically feeding on bream. Worms and jigs continue to work for these fish, and the best action has been around docks. You can also get bites on a buzzbait or popper. 

While it may be starting to slow down the offshore bite is also decent in the 12-16 foot range where fish can be caught on crankbaits, worms and swimbaits around points and drops. Most of the best holes are at the mouths of major creeks. 

It has been taking about 12-13 pounds to win most of the Thursday night tournaments. 

At least right now the crappie and white perch are mixed together pretty well, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that about half the fish are in the mouths of creeks in 20-25 feet of water. The other half are mostly on main lake flats at the same depth. The crappie are generally suspended about halfway down, while the perch are in huge schools reaching from the bottom to the middle of the water column or higher. Still, they usually fish for them on the bottom. Minnow rigs are best for both species right now.  

The perch are stacked up like cordwood, and Chris believes you could catch 350 or more if you concentrated on them for four hours. 

Even as the daytime drift bite for catfish on Lake Wylie has slowed down, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that it can be a good time to fish at night. During the day you can also anchor in coves and fish in 5-20 feet of water with cut gizzard shad. 

More information to follow. 

June 30

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and water conditions are normal. Morning surface water temperatures are up to about 81-83 degrees. 

Unfortunately it does look like the daytime drift bite for catfish on Lake Wylie is slowing down, but Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that they have found a pretty good anchored bite in coves this morning. Concentrate on 5-20 feet of water. Cut gizzard shad have been the best bait. 

The bluegill bite is still excellent, and only getting better close to the full moon. 

June 29

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and water conditions are back to normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 80 degrees. 

The shallow bite continues to be pretty strong for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that a couple of things are keeping fish around the banks. First, there are tons of bream beds which are drawing in bass – and there should be even more as we approach the July 3 full moon. Second, there has been a massive mayfly hatch. Between bass eating bream feeding on mayflies, and feeding on the mayflies themselves, there is a smorgasbord available on the banks, and the water is literally alive in areas where a hatch is going on. 

Worms and jigs are both working for shallow fish, particularly around docks, and buzzbaits, frogs and Pop-Rs are also both good.  In areas where mayflies are hatching fish these moving baits in black. 

While Reid hasn’t been fishing out there, there is also a good bite in the 12-16 foot range where fish can be caught on crankbaits, worms and swimbaits around points and drops. Most of the best holes are at the mouths of major creeks, and the best of this fishing is always when the fish first head offshore before they have really been beat up on. Because it got hot so late we are just now in this window.

A 3-fish tournament Saturday was won with 11.3 pounds, decent for late June.  

At least right now the crappie and white perch are mixed together pretty well, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that about half the fish are in the mouths of creeks in 20-25 feet of water. The other half are mostly on main lake flats at the same depth. The crappie are generally suspended about halfway down, while the perch are in huge schools reaching from the bottom to the middle of the water column or higher. Still, they usually fish for them on the bottom. Minnow rigs are best for both species right now. 

 

He had one slower than usual trip for catfish on Lake Wylie this week, but overall Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the action is still fair. Even though the fish are spawning, with the slow-down that entails, they have generally continued to bite fairly consistently compared to previous years. His boat is still catching blues drifting in 16-22 feet with cut white perch and gizzard shad and the best fishing continues to be in the mid-lake section. 

Rodger also notes that he is still seeing some really big bluegills spawning right now – they are fun for more than just attracting bass!

June 22

Lake Wylie is at 97.8% of full pool and rising fast. The lake is already stained and fast getting very muddy as all the rivers and creeks are red with mud and high. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 78 and soon there will be a ton of current as they pull the water. 

It continues to be an in-between time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that fish are still moving offshore but there are still more than usual around the banks. Saturday he saw bream beds everywhere and caught fish on jigs off docks, and he also had a few blow-ups on topwater lures. He saw no sign of a shad spawn (as late as this is) but just a few days before it was reportedly on fire.  

At the same time there are fish getting into the 12-16 foot range, and they can be caught on crankbaits, worms and swimbaits around points and drops. Most of the best holes are at the mouths of major creeks, and the best of this fishing is always when the fish first head offshore before they have really been beat up on.

The crappie fishing is finally slowing down on Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that fish are moving into their summertime pattern of 25-30 feet on the main lake. As they do they scatter out and suspend above the thermocline, and they usually get harder to catch. Fishing vertically with minnows at the exact depth they are holding is the pattern. The fish Chris caught Monday were full of mayfly larvae so that appears to be slowing down the bite as so many mayflies hatch. 

At the same time the white perch fishing is getting pretty awesome, and Chris reports that fishing main lake flats in 20-25 feet with minnows you can catch 6 at a time on a sabiki rig. When you encounter a big school it can have thousands of fish and reach high into the water column, but he usually fishes near the bottom.

 

This new influx of fresh water may move the catfish around on Lake Wylie, but for right now Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the action has been pretty fair. Even though the fish are spawning, with the slow-down that entails, they have continued to bite fairly consistently compared to previous years. His boat is still catching blues drifting in 16-22 feet with cut white perch and gizzard shad and the best fishing continues to be in the mid-lake section. 

Rodger also notes that he is still seeing some really big bluegills spawning right now. 

June 15

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are still in the mid-70s.

While most days the bass fishing has been pretty tough on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it is taking about 13 pounds to win night tournaments, there have been some standout days. This Saturday a 3-fish tournament was won with an incredible 16 pounds including an 8-pounder!  As the lake’s core temperature warms up more fish are starting to get off the bank into the 12-16 foot range, and they can be caught on crankbaits, worms and swimbaits around points and drops. Most of the best holes are at the mouths of major creeks, and the best of this fishing is always when the fish first head offshore before they have really been beat up on.

At the same time, some of the best fish can still be caught shallow around bream beds on Pop-Rs and other topwater baits, and there are still fish hanging around docks that are feeding on bream. Jigs are working pretty well. 

Post-spawn crappie fishing is still really good, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports fish are moving deeper and feeding very well. They are still catching about 75 fish per trip.

The best pattern is still slow-trolling minnows in 25-30 feet of water in the creeks, with fish right on the bottom or just off it.  

It’s just been a fair bite for catfish this week on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service(803-517-7828) reports that his boat is still catching blues drifting in 16-22 feet with cut white perch and gizzard shad. Fish are probably still in the midst of the spawn, but the best fishing continues to be in the mid-lake section. 

Rodger also notes that he is seeing some really big bluegills spawning right now. 

June 8

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures are around 75 degrees.

The bass fishing has once again gotten pretty tough on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it only took 14 pounds to win a big ABA tournament this past Saturday. While most of the fish seem to still basically be in a post-spawn “daze” cruising around the banks, the bite has slowed fishing a wacky rig around docks and shoreline cover. This could be because more fish are starting to transition offshore, but they haven’t gotten there yet. There was a bit of a shad spawn this past weekend but that should be about over, and the next stage is definitely for more fish to head out. 

Post-spawn crappie fishing is really good, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports fishing are moving deeper and feeding very well. They are catching about 75 fish per trip.

Crappie can be caught slow-trolling minnows in 25-30 feet of water in the creeks, with fish right on the bottom or just off it.  

It’s a good bite for catfish on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that his boat is catching blues drifting in 16-22 feet with cut white perch and gizzard shad. With water temperatures still in the mid-70s they can’t call it a post-spawn bite, but the best fishing has been in the mid-lake section. 

June 2

Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s. 

While it hasn’t gotten hot enough for the best night fishing for bass on Lake Wylie, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that the fishing is still really good. With an extended late spring you can still wear them out just going down the bank and fishing docks with a wacky rig or shaky head. A lot of the fish up there are fry guarders, and with temperatures pretty cool the fish still have no real reason that they have to head offshore. At the same time, with the cool temperatures last weekend a little bit of shad spawn has developed again, and first thing the bite can be good around riprap, marina docks and more. That accounted for some of the best weights last weekend. 

At the same time the bream bed bite has not really started with the cool temperatures, and there aren’t a lot of fish offshore yet. But that should be coming very soon. 

The crappie spawn is essentially over, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that post-spawn fish have moved back into the deeper sections of the creek channels. They can be caught long line trolling jigs or fishing minnows in about 25 feet of water. Generally trolling at about .5 - .7 miles per hour is the magic formula. 

As a side bonus there are a lot of good white perch mixed in with the crappie, and you will catch both with the same techniques. 

While the cooler weather has made it harder to catch shad for bait on Lake Wylie, Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that it’s still a good catfish bite – especially early in the morning. Fish are in pre-spawn mode and getting towards the spawn, and as a result the northern end of the lake is producing especially well. Cut gizzard shad fished in 6-10 feet have been the best bait. 

May 26

Lake Wylie is at 97.1% of full pool and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s.   

It’s a surprisingly good time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that just going around the bank and fishing docks with a wacky rig or shaky head you can wear out the fish. A lot of the fish up there are fry guarders, and with temperatures pretty cool the fish still have no real reason that they have to head offshore.  The very tail end of the shad spawn is also still going on in isolated places, and on this next full moon there should be some fish starting to feed around bream beds. 

There are also some fish on secondary points and depth changes in major creeks in the 8-13 foot range. These will probably be the first fish to head offshore once temperatures heat up. Target them with big worms and crankbaits.

The crappie spawn will essentially be over by the end of May on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that post-spawn fish have moved back into the deeper sections of the creek channels. They can be caught long line trolling jigs or fishing minnows in 20-25 feet of water. Generally trolling at about .5 - .7 miles per hour is the magic formula. 

As a side bonus there are a lot of good white perch mixed in with the crappie, and you will catch both with the same techniques. 

Catfish report to follow. 

May 11

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and the lake is starting to clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the 70-degree range.   

It’s been a fairly stable week for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that there is still a bit of a shad spawn going on around rocks and docks. Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits are both working first thing. 

The progression towards offshore spots also continues, with secondary points and depth changes in major creeks in the 8-13 foot range still good places to look. Target them with big worms and crankbaits.

Perhaps the best pattern, however, is fishing shallow for bass that are guarding fry. They could be around any hard object that provides protection like a stump, dock or laydown. Wacky rigs can be effective, but the bait does not usually matter as much as the presentation. Long casts that trigger the fish when the bait is pulled through a fry ball will usually generate bites. 

The crappie spawn is reaching its conclusion on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that a lot of crappie are moving back into deeper water in the creeks. Post-spawn fish can be caught either long-line trolling jigs in 15-20 feet or fishing 2-hook rigs tipped with small minnows. Some of the fish are on the bottom, while others are suspended in 10-14 feet.

May 8

Lake Wylie is at 97.6% of full pool and the lake is muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 68-70 degrees.     

The catfish bite may be changing on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor with Catfish ON! Guide Service (803-517-7828) reports that the fishing has been a little erratic. Things are settling down after the lake got blown out with trash and debris, but results have been inconsistent. It may be that the spawn is getting closer, but with water temperatures still pretty mild it would be early. The fish usually spawn at 68-70 degrees. However, temperatures got so warm so fast early, and then dropped, so it’s anyone’s guess exactly what they will do this year.

Overall the best pattern still seems to be fishing shallow with cut gizzard shad, and the upper lake is producing the best.

That’s consistent with what The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) is seeing, and Chris reports that from what he can tell the big cats are moving shallow in preparation for the upcoming spawn. His best pattern has been anchoring in 6-15 feet of water and fan-casting cut shad, perch or bluegill on a Carolina rig. His best area has been up the river where a lot of the big fish have migrated to spawn, and for him the current and fresh muddy water has helped the bite. 

May 5

Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool and the lake is muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the 70-degree range.   

The crappie spawn is winding down on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that a lot of crappie are moving back into deeper water in the creeks. Post-spawn fish can be caught either long-line trolling jigs in 15-20 feet or fishing 2-hook rigs tipped with small minnows. Some of the fish are on the bottom, but especially in the muddy conditions a high percentage are suspended in 10-14 feet.

The spawn is not completely over since and they are still catching some fish with eggs, and Chris estimates that about 10% of fish will still spawn. 

Finally, he notes that muddy conditions slow down the crappie fishing but when things clear the bite should pick up again.  

 

Weights have dropped off a little in bass fishing tournaments on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in the Thursday night tournaments it has taken about 14 pounds for the win. Part of that is because fish are in something of an in-between stage, with the shad spawn dying off except in some isolated places, the bass spawn winding down, and fish starting to transition out to deeper haunts. Secondary points and depth changes in major creeks in the 8-13 foot range are good places to look, at least before the lake got muddy. Target them with big worms and crankbaits.

However, especially with the muddy conditions for right now Reid suggests focusing on shallower water and fishing spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, and crankbaits around riprap and other hard cover where shad could be spawning. The muddy water will keep fish shallow for now. 

It’s still a really good catfish bite on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that fish are migrating up the lake and males are starting to get very dark in preparation for the spawn. The best bite is shallow, with most of the fish in the 8-22 pound range but the occasional bigger one mixed in. 

Cut gizzard shad is working well. 

April 21

Lake Wylie is at 97.3% of full pool and the water is stained with some debris in the upper lake. Morning surface water temperatures have hit about 70. 

It’s once again a really good catfish bite on Lake Wylie, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that fish are migrating up the lake and males are starting to get very dark in preparation for the spawn. The best bite is shallow, with most of the fish in the 8-22 pound range but the occasional bigger one mixed in. They also caught a 41-pound flathead in the South Fork earlier this week!

Cut gizzard shad is working well. 

The crappie spawn continues to progress on Lake Wylie, and The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that a lot of the fish have finished spawning and are moving away from the banks and back into the main part of the creeks. These fish can be targeted long-line trolling jigs in 10-25 feet of water.

Anglers also still have a few more weeks to catch the remaining 25% of fish that have not spawned yet. They are around shallow cover down the banks and will take minnows and jigs under a cork. By the end of April the shallow bite will be winding down. 

It’s still pretty much the peak time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s that time of year when you can basically go down the bank and catch fish however you want.  Fish are at all three stages of the spawn, but with more spawning and post-spawn than pre-spawn, and it’s pretty standard spring fishing. A shaky head or wacky rig is hard to beat, and you can catch fish in any spawning pocket, around docks and around laydowns. There are a ton of fish on beds right now. 

The shad spawn still does not seem to have started but it should be very, very soon. 

April 11

Lake Wylie is up to 98.7% of full pool and the lower lake is still clear while the South Fork is very muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped several degrees into the lower 60s. 

It’s the peak time for bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that it’s that time of year when you can basically go down the bank and catch fish however you want.   Fish are at all three stages of the spawn, but with more spawning and post-spawn than pre-spawn, and it’s pretty standard spring fishing. A shaky head or wacky rig is hard to beat, and you can catch fish in any spawning pocket, around docks and around laydowns. 

Especially with the cold front slowing things down a shad spawn has not yet been reported, but it should be coming any time. 

Despite the cold snap, The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that crappie are on the banks and spawning. Most of the fish are in less than 10 feet of water related to structure such as brush, docks, or riprap, and as with the bass you can basically just go down the bank and catch fish. A minnow or jig under a cork is hard to beat. 

There are some other ways to target crappie, but with fish on the banks there’s not much else that people are looking to do. 

A few days ago the catfish bite still rated as very good, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) will be out on the water checking to see if the cold snap had any effect on the pre-spawn bite. However, even if it slowed things down for a day or two there’s every reason to believe that with temperatures rebounding the creek shallows are again where the best fishing is going to be. Fish have been biting well on fresh cut gizzard shad anchored in 6-15 feet of water on afternoons when the water warms, and they are getting some good-sized fish up to the mid-20s and bigger.