August 5

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.56 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.42 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are still relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. 

The bass fishing has picked up on the Santee Cooper lakes, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that around grass and trees up in the swamp the action has been good – especially for August!  You can throw topwater lures, soft plastics or whatever you want to do at this time of year. Morning is certainly fishing best but there are bass that will bite throughout the day. 

In the warmer parts of the day mid-depth trees are fishing the best, and deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water is also holding fish. 

While the bass fishing is pretty good for August, Brett reports that the catfish fishing is just plain old good.  At night anglers are doing well anchoring in 4-8 feet of water, while during the day drifting in 18-25 feet of water has been most productive. Numbers have been good and there have been more big fish caught recently. 

Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) is seeing the same thing, although he has also caught fish out to about 30 feet during the day. He points out that herring is most productive right now. 

The crappie fishing has gotten slow and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) won’t be guiding for them again until September. If you insist on crappie fishing in August, there are still fish scattered 10-20 feet down over middle depth to deep brush that will eat minnows.  

July 30

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.48 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.25 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are about 87 degrees.

The best thing going on Santee is still the catfish, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they are not getting a lot of monsters in the summer heat but there are plenty of solid teenage sized fish being caught. Stevie is finding a good drift bite in 10-20 feet of water, while other anglers are having success drifting in the upper 20s. There is also some good fishing anchoring at night in 6-8 feet of water, and shallow anchoring is even producing some results during the day.

Herring is the best bait right now. 

The bass fishing remains in a pretty stable summer pattern, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that early in the morning there is still a decent topwater bite. 

During the day fish are still being caught on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water. 

In shaded areas or around grass there can sometimes be surface activity during the day, but generally the fishing slows down in the very hot water and you have to grind. 

Out on the water today Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) has confirmed that the crappie fishing is slow, and he only had less than ten fish to show for his efforts by mid-day. The fish were scattered from shallow brush about 10 feet down over 18 feet all the way out to deeper brush, indicating that it’s not a matter of finding the magic depth as they just aren’t feeding very well. He caught everything on minnows. 

No new report on bluegill and shellcracker.

July 22

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.65 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.56 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are about 84 degrees and the lower lake is still very clear. 

It’s still a really good catfish bite on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that – while you can certainly fish deeper – this week he found a really good drift bite on a flat in 6-9 feet of water. The fish were up there eating mussels, and in a few hours they were able to fill a cooler with fish. 

While there are a lot of anglers anchoring shallow at night with success, he is also about to start drifting deep water at night. This is sometimes a good pattern later in the summer. 

Drifting in 15-20 feet of water Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that his boat has found good success straight through the day, and yesterday they were able to catch about 25 fish up to thirty pounds between daybreak and 2:00. There were lots of 10-12 pound fish and everything came on cut herring. 

The bass fishing remains in a pretty stable summer pattern, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that early in the morning there is a decent topwater bite. This weekend they should be able to catch fish working areas with bream beds due to the full moon. If there is some cloud cover you can run these areas with a topwater lure all day, but if not then you need to fish worms and slow-moving jigs. 

During the day fish are still being caught on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water. 

You can certainly still catch crappie on the lakes, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that he is just starting to take a break from it because the numbers are so far down. You can fish hard and catch 10 or less fish, not unusual for the heat of summer. It’s not altogether clear where they go or whether they are still eating. 

If you do target them the best pattern is still to fish about 10-18 feet down over mid-depth brush. Minnows are working the best.

It’s been really easy to find bluegill and shellcracker around most any shallow cover right now, but the trick has been trying to find better ones. Steve is hopeful that this full moon will bring some more good ones shallow. He suggests searching for big beds before really starting to fish, and Steve reminds anglers that sometimes the beds might be just out of eyesight.

July 9

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.30 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.22 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the mid-80s. 

The catfish bite seems to have picked up again this week on Santee, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they are again catching lots of blue catfish in the teens including some bigger fish. The best patterns are anchoring in the shallows early and late and then drifting in 15-25 feet of water during the day. 

Herring is the best bait right now. 

Even though he is likely about to take a break from crappie fishing during the heat of the summer, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that the fishing has picked up a little in the past week or two. He is getting better numbers of fish than earlier in the summer, although they are still in the same areas about 10-18 feet down over mid-depth brush. Minnows are working the best.

This new moon should bring some more bream up to spawn, but even before the moon Steve was seeing some good numbers of bluegill caught in the upper lake in the shallows. There have also been some nice ones holding around stumps in about 8 feet, although the moon may also bring those fish shallower. 

The bass fishing is in a pretty stable summer pattern, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that early in the morning there is a decent topwater bite. Around moon phases they are also catching fish working areas with bream beds. If there is some cloud cover you can run these areas with a topwater lure all day, but if not then you need to fish worms and slow-moving jigs. 

Fish are also still being caught on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water. 

June 24

Santee Cooper water levels are high at 75.45 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.1 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the lower 80s

The catfish bite may have dropped off a little this week on Santee, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that it is still good. Considering just how strong the last two or three weeks were a decline certainly doesn’t mean the fishing is slow. 

Reports indicate that the fishing is a little better in the upper lake than the lower, and there are also a good number of fish moving through the canal. Drifting herring in about 15-20 feet of water is working well, but Stevie is also having good success for numbers of channel catfish anchoring dip baits in about 14 feet of water just off the canal. 

Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) adds that in the evening and at night they are catching fish in 3-6 feet of water, and while you can anchor at this depth more people are drifting. 

Even as the cats may be returning to more normal feeding patterns, the crappie appear to be picking up.  On recent trips Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports catching limits of fish including some really good ones. He is exclusively fishing mid-depth brush in the lower lake with minnows, and the fish have been 8-14 feet down usually over 20-30 feet. 

The bass fishing also appears to be picking up a bit this week, and Brett Mitchell believes that is likely the result of the full moon including its effect on spawning patterns of bream. The topwater bite has been a little improved in the mornings, and they are also catching fish working areas with bream beds. If there is some cloud cover you can run these areas with a topwater lure all day, but if not then you need to fish worms and slow-moving jigs. 

Fish are also still being caught on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water. 

June 18

Santee Cooper water levels are high at 75.62 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.3 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The water remains clear and morning surface temperatures are in the low 80s. 

The catfish bite remains outstanding on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in addition to some very large fish being caught recently they are also still getting some excellent numbers. Lots of coolers full of fish are coming out of the lake again this week. 

During the day the predominant pattern seems to be drifting in about 15-20 feet of water, although some boats are still going as shallow as 10 feet. In the evening and at night they are catching fish in 3-6 feet of water, and while you can anchor at this depth more people are drifting. 

Herring is working really well but some people are using mullet when they are available. 

There’s not a lot of change in the bass fishing, which Brett reports remains pretty spotty on Santee.  

There is still a pretty good topwater bite periodically, and there is still optimism that the June full moon will get things really going if there is a good bream spawn. This will take place next Thursday.  

Right now the most fish are still being caught on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics.  There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water.

June 10

Santee Cooper water levels are high at 75.85 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around full in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The water remains clear and morning surface temperatures are around 80. 

There’s no doubt that catfish have provided the most exciting action on Santee for the last week or two, and the fishing has gotten so good that Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) has pretty much switched over from fishing for other species to targeting cats. They can be found about anywhere, but the sweet spot seems to be drifting in 10-15 feet of water. One guide reported catching (and releasing) 40 fish over 15 pounds in a trip this week!

Steve’s son Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has found about the same pattern, and his best fishing has come in 10 feet. He notes that the bite is best early and does slow by about mid-morning. Herring is greatly out-fishing perch, bluegill and other cut baits.

Stevie’s most exciting catch this week was this massive flathead, estimated at about 60 years old!

The crappie fishing is basically slow and steady on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that catching 10-15 fish in a trip is pretty normal. Right now he is catching fish 8-20 feet down on brush, and there doesn’t seem to be any consistent pattern to whether fish are shallow or deep. It’s much more about the location of the brush. Minnows are working the best. 

The bream fishing is still sporadic, with a few fish up shallow (rare beds can be seen) and plenty of small ones on deeper brush. That means the best guess is that most of them are staging on shallow to mid-depth cover such as stumps and trees just out from spawning areas. Today’s new moon could bring some fish up, but expectations are heavy for the June 24 full moon after a slow season so far. 

The bass fishing remains pretty spotty on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) can’t pinpoint exactly why one day will be decent and then the next will be slow. It does seems that the cloudy weather helped, but there have also been some sunny days where they feed better.

The shad spawn is finished but there is still a pretty good topwater bite periodically, and there is optimism that the June full moon will get things really going if there is a good bream spawn.  

Right now a lot of fish are still on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There can also be some decent action fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water. 

May 28

Santee Cooper water levels are high at 75.57 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.45 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The water is clear and morning surface temperatures are in the low 80s. 

All that talk about the lakes not being very hot just last week seems like a very long time ago, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that bass can still be found in a bunch of different patterns.  While the shad spawn has pretty much wrapped up, first thing there is still a pretty good topwater bite periodically. Around the full moon there is often a little improvement followed by a short lull. A lot of fish are on mid-depth trees where the best action is generally coming on jigs or soft plastics. There is also a pretty good pattern fishing deeper brush in 6 plus feet of water but Brett has not been fishing it very much. 

Overall fishing is fairly spotty. 

The crappie fishing is a mixed bag on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that they are catching some very nice fish but not many of them. Right now he is catching fish 8-20 feet down on brush, and there doesn’t seem to be any consistent pattern to whether fish are shallow or deep.  It’s much more about the location of the brush. Minnows are working the best. 

The May full moon has come and gone, but for some reason the bream never really got on beds. Neither shellcracker nor bluegill seemed to spawn very well on this moon, and it’s unclear why. Perhaps they will spawn better on the next full moon when temperatures will undoubtedly be further along.

Since they are not all over brush, for now the best guess is that most of them are staging on shallow to mid-depth cover such as stumps and trees just out from spawning areas. 

The catfish bite is still a little slow but fairly steady, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that he has gotten in an area where he is catching a bunch of nice channel catfish since the blues haven’t been cooperating. He is catching them at the same depth where guys are fishing for blues, drifting 15-25 feet, and they don’t seem to want anything beside cut herring. 

Captain Brett Mitchell is finding about the same thing but he is targeting blues, and again his boat is drifting in 15-25. Some days bites are hard to come by, and then some days they will fill the cooler about halfway. Big fish are pretty slow most days, perhaps related to the spawn which is well underway. 

Fish are moving shallower at night when they can be caught anchored up in 8-15 feet of water.

May 19

Santee Cooper water levels are high at 75.76 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.35 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The water is clear and morning surface temperatures are around 74 degrees.

It’s been a weird spring in South Carolina and the Santee Cooper lakes have still not gotten very hot, and perhaps as a result Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that bass can be found all over the place from shallows to trees to deeper water with stumps or brush in 6-8+ feet. Some people are throwing crankbaits but the better action seems to be coming on jigs or soft plastics. While Brett has not seen a shad spawn recently it could start up again at any time, and there does continue to be a good topwater bite right at dawn if you find any area that has fish.

Overall the bite is a little hit-or-miss right now.

The crappie fishing is also a little spotty on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that it’s just not as good as it should be – and no one is sure why! The best action has come about 8-14 feet down over brush in 15-25 feet of water. Minnows are working the best. 

We are about a week away from the May full moon, and as a result bream remain in an in-between period at the moment. Right now there are not a lot of fish being caught on brush, but the better ones also are not up very shallow, and it seems that most of them are staging on shallow to mid-depth cover such as stumps and trees just out from spawning areas. 

Very soon the best place to look for bream will be around grass in 2-3 feet of water.  Red worms are hard to beat for shellcracker while bluegill will also take crickets. 

The catfish bite is still a little slow, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that while the bite for small fish (including a lot of channels) remains easy with cut herring the bigger ones are still not feeding very well. The weather is likely the culprit, and with some extreme heat predicted for next week it will be interesting to see how the fish react. The best bet for better fish is still drifting in 10-25 feet of water or anchoring shallow in 3-8 feet early and late. 

Captain Brett Mitchell concurs, and while his boat caught about 20 fish in several hours Sunday drifting in 18-25 feet only a few hit the 8-10 pound range. It seems that the better fish bite in waves, and so maybe we are due for some good catching soon!

May 6

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.55 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.3 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  The water is clear and morning surface temperatures are around 74 degrees.

As predicted the Santee Cooper bass remain in a bit of a post-spawn lull right now, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that if anything the fishing has gotten tougher than it was a week ago. There is a little bit of a topwater bite early, and then during the day most of the fish that are being caught are coming on soft plastics fished very slowly. While there are a couple of fish still on beds the vast majority of the fish are post-spawn.

The next thing that will happen is that a shad spawn bite and then a bream bite will develop, and the topwater action in general will also come on. Shad will spawn shallow along weedy banks, weed beds and at the edges of pad fields, and if you aren’t there at the crack of dawn you will miss it. A bunch of different lures including spinnerbaits and topwater lures will work. Fish will also be feeding around spawning bream, and topwaters, crankbaits, soft plastics and particularly worms will all work for them. 

During the heat of the day you can also drag a worm around trees or grass in 2-6 feet of water. 

The crappie fishing is a little spotty on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that some days have been pretty good while others have been slow. One interesting development is that he has caught a few white crappie in the lower lake, where they usually only catch black crappie. The best action has come about 8-12 feet down over 15-25 feet of water. Minnows are working the best. 

The bream remain in an in-between period at the moment, and right now there are not a lot of fish being caught on brush. The better ones also are not up very shallow right now, and it seems that most of them are staging on shallow to mid-depth cover such as stumps and trees just out from spawning areas. They have caught some good shellcracker shallow but Steve notes how little fishing pressure there has been on them this year. 

The best place to look for shellcracker is around grass in 2-3 feet of water, and while you can catch them on other baits red worms are hard to beat.

Bluegill will also take crickets. 

The catfish bite is only fair, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that truthfully the fishing should be better right now than it is.  It is easy to catch a ton of small fish, and Sunday Stevie caught a bunch of smaller channels on very small pieces of cut herring. But to catch bigger ones is a bit of a grind, and they are having to work hard drifting in 10-25 feet of water or anchoring shallow in 3-8 feet early and late. Blueback herring and chicken are both still working.

A few big fish have come out of the canal but they are having better success for numbers on dip baits there. 

April 29

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.42 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 75.18 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Both lakes are relatively clear and water temperatures are around 69 degrees.   

The Santee Cooper bass are in a little bit of a post-spawn lull right now, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that he expects the fishing to be tough for a week or so and then improve. There are still a few stragglers that will bed in the next week or two, but the vast majority of the fish are post-spawn. 

The next thing that will happen is that a shad spawn bite and then a bream bite will develop, and the topwater action in general will also come on. Shad will spawn shallow along weedy banks, weed beds and at the edges of pad fields, and if you aren’t there at the crack of dawn you will miss it.  A bunch of different lures including spinnerbaits and topwater lures will work. Fish will also be feeding around spawning bream, and topwaters, crankbaits, soft plastics and particularly worms will all work for them. 

During the heat of the day you can also drag a worm around trees or grass in 2-6 feet of water. 

The crappie fishing has improved on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that he is finding better numbers of crappie around shallower brush, while the bigger fish have been deeper. The range he is fishing goes runs about 8-12 feet down over 14-22 feet of water. 

The bream bite is in an in-between period at the moment, and a lot of the shellcracker seem to have already spawned while there are a few bluegill on brush. In the next few weeks more bluegill should show up in shallow water. 

The best place to look for shellcracker is around grass in 2-3 feet of water, and while you can catch them on other baits red worms are hard to beat.

Bluegill will also take crickets. 

The catfish bite continues to be pretty good, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that during the day his boat has been drifting deeper water in 10-30 feet of water and catching some pretty good fish. At night the shallow bite has been fairly consistent, but during the day it will be good one day and then tough the next. 

Small herring and chicken have both been working well.

April 16

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.72 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and bouncing around 74.9 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper lake is clearing but still stained while there is a mud line in the lower lake.  Water temperatures are generally in the upper 60s. 

There is a mix of everything going on with the bass on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that some fish are pre-spawn, some are spawning and some are post-spawn. By his estimation we are in the dead middle of the period and there are equal numbers of pre-spawn and post-spawners. 

Pretty much all of the fish are shallow right now all over the lake, and some of them are around grass, some are on trees and some are on stumps. Senkos and soft plastics in general are very dependable right now, and there is also a little bit of topwater action starting for post-spawn fish which are protecting fry. 

The crappie fishing is still tough on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that in this post-spawn phase there are a few males on brush but the majority of the fish still seem to just be swimming around. The fishing should get better once the fish recover from the spawn.

While the crappie bite is a little tough, a strong bream bite is starting to come on.  Captain Steve has found some really nice shellcracker very shallow including some males up to a pound and a half. Some of the females may have already spawned but another wave will also be coming. Working the grass for shellcracker in 2-3 feet of water has been good, and while you can catch them on other baits red worms are hard to beat.

Right now bluegills are stacked up on brush and they will take crickets.  

The catfish bite has really improved, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that they have been catching a lot of better fishing across a range of depths. In the last week or two the fish have really gotten hungry. 

His boat is having the best success drifting in about 25 feet of water, but he has also caught fish drifting as shallow as 15 feet and heard good reports anchoring shallower early and late. River herring are hard to beat right now although he also has bluegill in the boat as a back-up. 

Captain Brett Mitchell has one of those boats fishing shallower, and anchoring in 3-10 feet of water around bars, humps and shallow flats they are finding a good bite. Again he’s pretty much fishing with river herring until they are not available any more. 

April 2

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 76.30 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.66 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper part of Lake Marion is blown out with mud and it is coming to the rest of the system. Surface water temperatures were down to about 61 this morning. 

There are already a few post-spawn bass on Santee, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that most of the fish are in the process of getting ready to spawn. Because of water temperatures this wave of fish will spawn in less than 3 feet of water, and since they have seen about every bait pass in front of them at this point the vast majority of fish will be caught on soft plastics fished slowly.  There is a slight topwater bite in some select areas but not much.  Brett is having better luck in the lower lake right now.

As the month progresses and temperatures heat up the next wave of fish will spawn slightly deeper around stumps and trees. Then post-spawn fish will be found in the weeds when the topwater season starts in earnest. 

Wind and then a cold front made for tough crappie fishing conditions this week, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that when you can get out there the fish are biting. You can cast jigs in shallow water and catch fish right now, or you can target fish that are moving back onto brush. He thinks about half of the fish have already spawned and the rest seem to be in the process of spawning. 

In the upper lake it is still possible to catch pre-spawn fish in deeper water on the edge of the river channel, but these are white crappie who are at a different stage since the water is cooler where they live. 

Right now Captain Brett Mitchell reports that the biggest catfish seem to be coming up shallow in 3-5 feet of water anchoring herring or shad. While some fish are always out deep, from what he has seen they are smaller right now. 

Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) agrees that the fish being caught drifting deep water have generally been smaller right now, but he expects that some better ones should start biting once the water warms. Deep water is still pretty cool right now and cold fronts aren’t helping.  This month he expects the canal to start to produce. 

March 19

Santee Cooper water levels are down to 75.30 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and up to 74.62 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Clarity is pretty normal and morning surface water temperatures range from 60-62 in the upper lake to about 58 in the lower lake. The wind has made fishing difficult recently. 

A slight cool snap coincided with the CBC last weekend on Santee, and as a result Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that the shallow bite shut down a little bit and some of the better bags were caught deeper on brush piles in 5-12 feet of water. Spinnerbaits, jigs and big worms worked well for these fish.

While some fish will likely continue to stage with this most recent cold snap, as of Tuesday there were also a lot of buck bass up shallow in 1 ½ to 2 feet of water that could be caught about any way you wanted to catch them. The March 28 full moon should coincide with a really good wave of spawning fish and soon male and female should be caught around most any shallow cover including grass and wood and in spawning pockets. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, worms and more will all work. 

The wind has made for really tough crappie fishing conditions recently, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that when he has been able to get on the water he has been able to find some males very shallow. They are also catching females that have not spawned around deeper brush, and so he speculates that the majority of the fish are still pre-spawn. 

When water temperatures hit about 62-65 degrees he expects almost all of the fish to be up shallow. 

The catfish bite is still off on Santee, and even though some big fish up to 54 pounds were caught in the recent tournament Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the fishing remains a little slow. The biggest fish right now are being caught early and late anchoring in shallow water, while the best numbers continue to come drifting 20-30 feet of water. 

River herring and American shad remain the best baits. 

March 10

Santee Cooper water levels are down to 75.53 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.29 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lake is dingy all over and muddy in some places, and morning surface water temperatures have reached the high 50s and even low 60s in some of the ponds. 

This weekend is the Carolinas Bass Challenge on Santee, and so you can forgive tournament anglers if they don’t want to say too much about how the bass are being caught. However, Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that even though a cool snap coincided with last weekend there were still some very large bags caught, and this weekend they expect more of the same. 

After several days in the 70s temperatures have shot up in the ponds, and this weekend there should be a full first wave of fish on beds. There were already some very early spawners last weekend. While there will be fish in other places there is really no reason to look in more than two feet of water and fish will be around grass and wood in spawning pockets. 

This is the time of year where you can throw whatever you want, and it really does not seem to matter what you use. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, worms and more will all work. 

Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) won’t start up his spring crappie guiding until this weekend, but with a Crappie USA event on Santee this weekend veteran

tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt has been chasing the fish around in the swamp. He has found them relatively shallow in about 7-8 feet of water, although they will almost certainly be shallower by this weekend. Steve notes that early and late he will probably be targeting shallow cover with jigs, but then during the day the fish should set up on brush. 

The catfish bite is still a little slow on Santee, and even though Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has scouted shallow water during the day he still cannot find fish up there outside of early and late. However, the 6-8 foot range should be picking up very soon.  

The best action continues to come drifting in 20-30 feet of water, although the fish seem to be smaller right now. River herring and American shad are the best bait right now.  

This is a transition period and very soon the bite should be much better. 

March 5

Santee Cooper water levels are down to 76.03 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.59 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes have cleared and water temperatures range from about 53 degrees on up. 

There have been some monster bags of bass caught recently on Santee, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that with temperatures warming over the last week to ten days the fishing is busting wide open on the lakes. Temperatures in some of the ponds have hit 60 degrees, and the fish are headed into them. While Brett does not expect fish to be on the beds until next weekend, they are already getting into the areas where they will be spawning. The most catchable fish are in two feet of water or less, and they can be found around grass and wood in spawning pockets. 

This is the time of year where you can throw whatever you want, and it really does not seem to matter what you use. Spinnerbaits, swimbaits, and worms are all working, and the Showdown last Sunday was won with a jerkbait. 

As expected the crappie are moving shallower on Santee, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that long-line trolling starting at the mouth of creeks and working your way back along ridges and other contours looking for suspended fish is probably the best pattern.  Some fish are also related to brush in the creeks. Jigs are a good choice right now but you can also tip your jigs with minnows.  It won’t be long until some fish are caught on the banks.  

Steve also notes that a lot of people are catching them in the Santee River right now. 

The catfish bite is still a little slow on Santee but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that the biggest change is that there is starting to be a better shallow bite in the early morning or late evening in 6-8 feet of water. Fish are very active at those times. 

The are also some fish being caught drifting in 20-30 feet of water. River herring and American shad are the best bait right now.  

Captain Brett Mitchell concurs that the shallow action is improving and should only get better. 

February 26

Santee Cooper water levels are just below full at 76.57 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.86 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are muddy, with water flying through, and water temperatures range from the mid-40s to low-50s.

They call it fishing for a reason, and on Sunday in the CATT tournament David Matts and Garret Brown managed five that went over 30 pounds and there were several more big bags caught as well as a bunch of fish over 5 pounds. But on Sunday conditions had apparently completely changed, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in the Sunday Showdown Series event there just wasn’t much to brag about. Typical for the time of year the fishing is still day-to-day. 

With the water high, muddy and ripping through the lake there is every reason for the fish to be up shallow, and this is especially true given seasonal factors. Brett believes the most catchable fish are still chasing bait in 2-4 feet of water and with the water conditions a spinnerbait is hard to beat. Soon fish should get into a pre-spawn mode but water temperatures will need to move a few more degrees before that happens. 

It’s getting to be the right time for crappie, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that fish are about to make a transition. Because the water is still cold he will still start out fishing deeper on brush, but he will also be working his way shallow searching for fish.  As the fish move up long-line trolling is the best way to target them, and you can start at the mouth of creeks and work your way back along ridges and other contours looking for suspended fish. Some will also be related to brush in the creeks. Jigs are a good choice right now but you can also tip your jigs with minnows. In the dirty water chartreuse or something else very bright is a good color.

The unfortunate consensus is that the catfish bite is tough on Santee right now, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that for now drifting in about 25-30 feet of water still seems to be the best pattern. The best action is coming with shad and herring.  However, nothing is working very well at the moment and it may not be until temperatures warm up a few more degrees that the pattern really changes.  

Captain Brett Mitchell points out that once the fish get accustomed to all the new water and things stabilize the fishing could improve, but really he also doesn’t expect much change from the current pattern until about the same time that the bass start to get into pre-spawn mode. 

February 18

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.40 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.54 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are muddy and the power company is pulling the water hard, with water temperatures are about 50 degrees. 

It’s been some another week of nasty weather on Santee, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that while he has not been out much high, muddy water is putting even more pressure on the fish to go shallow.  Fish are still focused on shad and the most catchable fish should still be chasing bait in 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits are all good choices.

The catfish bite is still pretty slow but steady, although Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that soon he is expecting the fish to start to move shallower. However, for now drifting in about 25-30 feet of water seems to be the best pattern. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat.

The best action is coming with shad and herring. 

Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) will be back on the crappie and bream once there is some better weather next week.

February 5

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.54 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 73.38 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Surface water temperatures range from 49-53 and the lake is stained but not muddy. 

It’s been some nasty weather this week on Santee, but when it’s worth getting out on the water the bass seem to be biting decently. Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that in this week’s Sunday Showdown Series tournament there were a few bigger ones caught as well as a bunch of two-pounders.  Fish are still focused on shad and the most catchable fish are still chasing bait in 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. The fish also seem to be on wood a little better this week.   

Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and swimbaits are all working pretty well. 

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The catfish bite is still pretty slow but steady, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that there is not much anchoring going on and drifting in about 30 feet of water seems to be the best pattern. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat.

The best action is coming with shad and herring. 

While he hasn’t been after them much recently, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) believes that crappie are likely still 20 plus feet down over deep brush in 35 plus feet of water. There have also been some reports of anglers starting to troll for them and pick up a few but the action is certainly not hot. 

Bream are very deep and biting only sporadically.

January 22

Santee Cooper water levels are back down to 73.84 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) but up to 73.09 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 48-51 degrees and the lake is pretty dingy.   

The bass fishing is a little better this week on Santee, as judged by the results of the Sunday Showdown Series where a 7-pounder and a 5-pounder took the win, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that overall the patterns have not changed much. While there will be changes due to water conditions, temperature, and the like over the next month and a half, the overall pattern that fish are focused on shad won’t change until they get into staging for the pre-spawn period.  

There is probably a deeper bite if you look very hard, or get lucky and stumble on it, but the bait is pelagic and so the offshore fish are tough to locate. Additionally, between water levels rising and pushing fish to the banks in the lower lake – and the fact that the most fishable bass on Santee are almost always in less than 10 feet – Brett is still focusing on 2-4 feet of water. They could be around any type of cover but having deep water nearby is always better at this time of year. 

Crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option, but you can also fish a worm slowly when nothing else is working. 

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The catfish are still feeding pretty well, and Brett reports that overall the bite remains good. Drifting cut bait in 20-30 feet of water is catching lots of 3-5 pound fish, and the occasional 15-30 pounder is also mixed in. The fishing should stay good on a similar pattern for the rest of the month. 

Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) also reports that he has found the best bite in about 30 feet of water. He still advises looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat. 

While he hasn’t been after them for a week or two, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) believes that crappie are likely still on deep brush in 20 plus feet of water over 35 plus feet of water.  Bream are also likely to be very deep. 

January 13

Santee Cooper water levels are up to 74.63 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 71.92 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 48-51 degrees and the lake is dingy but fast becoming muddy. 

Very low water levels were affecting the bass fishing on Santee Cooper last week, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that even as water levels have started to rise recently the fishing is getting tougher. In particular the incoming mud is making it harder to get bites. 

Still, with water levels remaining relatively low – particularly in the lower lake – finding fishable cover is still an issue, and trees are still basically eliminated along with some other cover. Fish remain basically on whatever they can get on, and there might be two or three fish on a single stump.  Right now 2-4 feet of water is the target depth range.

Fish are still on a shad bite, and so crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option. When the fishing gets slow worms are the best bet.

With cold, muddy conditions only likely to get worse it may be a little while before the bass fishing improves.  

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The catfish are happier than the bass right now, and Brett reports that overall the bite remains good. Drifting cut bait in 20-30 feet of water is catching lots of 3-5 pound fish, and the occasional 15-30 pounder is also mixed in. The fishing should stay good on a similar pattern for the rest of the month. 

The fishing is a little slower deeper, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that drifting in 28-42 feet there is the occasional very big fish being caught, and a surprising 30-pound flathead was even landed out there recently. Right now Stevie says that anglers should be looking for bait stacked up in deep water, and he will be targeting ledges unless he finds a lot of bait on a particular flat. 

Even though it will pick up again in February the Santee Cooper crappie bite is winding down for the season, but Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that on their last trip out he was able to catch a couple of very nice fish over 2 pounds even though they really had to work for them. They are on some of the deepest brush he fishes, in 20 plus feet of water over 35 plus feet of water.

While Steve won’t pretend that he’s putting in much over to catch them, the bream fishing has really slowed over brush and he has only gotten the occasional nibble on crickets.   

January 5

Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.51 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 71.01 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5).  Surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees and the lake is dingy but not yet muddy. 

Very low water levels are affecting the bass fishing, but Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that some really big fish have been caught recently – including some 9- and 10-pound hawgs! Brett has also been catching good numbers, with 12-15 bass on one recent trip and 9-10 on another. 

While the fishing has been good, getting around has been the problem.   Finding fishable cover is also an issue, and with no water under most of the trees they have been eliminated as has most of the other usual stuff. Fish are basically on whatever they can get on, and there might be two or three fish on a single stump.  Right now 2-4 feet of water is the target depth range.

Fish are still on a shad bite, and so crankbaits and little swimbaits have generally been the best option. When the fishing gets slow worms are the best bet. 

Check out the new Santee Cooper Catch ’Em Kits with lures hand-picked for each season by Brett.

When Brett isn’t targeting bass he has been guiding for catfish, and overall that bite has also been good. They are getting 10-20 fish per day averaging 4-15 pounds, with the occasional 25-30 pound fish thrown in. 

Most of the action has come drifting live or cut herring, or gizzard shad, in 20-30 feet of water. The lower lake has been more consistent and the upper lake has either been “on” or “off”.

While he has not been out for a few days Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) has also heard reports of a good drift bite in a similar 25-35 foot range. There is also the chance for a monster, like the 86-pound fish recently caught drifting with Captain Mark Lawson! 

While bass and catfish have been cooperative, Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that bream have slowed way down. They have picked up a couple on deep brush, but they are not feeding much. And with the water racing through the canal you can’t really anchor a boat to target shellcracker in their favorite winter haunts.

The crappie are more cooperative, and Steve’s boat picked up about 17 on his last trip with minnows. They have now moved onto deep brush and they are sitting 18-20 plus feet down over brush in 30-35 plus feet of water.