February 18
Lake Russell water levels are at 474.62 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is clear except for the very backs of creeks where there is a slight stain. Morning surface water temperatures are about 52-53 degrees on the main lake and 54-55 degrees in the backs of creeks.
It was a good winter for striped bass fishing on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
February 18
Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s, and the water is overall clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
Because of the unique dynamics of the lake water temperatures are running warmer on Lake Monticello than other South Carolina lakes, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
February 17
Lake Wateree is at 95.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s.
There’s been some dramatic improvement in the bass fishing on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports
February 17
Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.75 (full pool is 330.00) and up the lake there is dirtier water. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s.
The Clarks Hill bass are still in a late winter pattern, and on Clarks Hill that means schooling fish! Tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports
February 17
Lake Jocassee is up to 98.5% of full pool and the rivers have cleared nicely while wind has cleared out the debris. Morning surface water temperatures are running about 53-54 degrees.
As predicted the trout bite picked up again on Lake Jocassee in time for the tournament, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports
February 18
Lake Murray water levels are up to 356.74 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity up the river is a little dingy but not muddy. Morning surface water temperatures up the river are about 52-53 degrees..
It’s been a pretty slow morning on the water for Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857), and he reports
February 17
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 48 degrees and conditions remain very clear.
It’s easy to spot fish inshore right now at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
February 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 48-50 degrees in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, live shiners (for crappie), fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.
Inshore fishing
February 17
Lake Wylie is at 97.0% of full pool and the water is relatively clear. They have been pulling a lot of water through the lake, creating significant current. Morning surface water temperatures are about 48-50 degrees.
Fish are just starting to come out of their winter patterns on Lake Wylie, but tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
February 17
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 659.03 (full pool is 660.00). The water is pretty clear and morning surface water temperatures range from about 48 to 50 degrees.
Even though it’s still cold the hybrid and striped bass fishing has picked up a little on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports
February 16
Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.81 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.51 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are dingy in places but not muddy, about right for this time of year, and morning surface water temperatures are about 52-53 degrees.
It was another good weekend for bass on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports
February 11
Morning surface water temperatures are still about 50 degrees around Hilton Head and the water is crystal clear.
It’s a beautiful time to be on the water in Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports
February 11
Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures remain stable in the low to mid-50s over most of the lake, with the highest temperatures still around the power plant in the low 60s.
Without much change in conditions, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
February 10
Lake Wylie is up to 98.3% of full pool and the water is slightly stained on the lower end creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are about 47 degrees.
The best thing going right now on Lake Wylie is undoubtedly the crappie, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports
February 10
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 51 degrees and the water is still clear.
The best trout fishing remains in the creeks, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
February 10
Morning surface water temperatures are about 47-49 degrees around Beaufort, and the water conditions are so clear it’s like fishing in an aquarium. Visibility is ten or more feet in places.
It’s some of the prettiest fishing conditions of the year, and in the clear water Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
February 10
Inshore surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s around Charleston and the water is gin clear.
The hottest thing going in the Charleston area is actually a freshwater bite, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports
February 10
Lake Jocassee is up to 97.9% of full pool and the rivers are a little dingy with some debris floating. Surface water temperatures are still about 53 degrees.
The trout bite slacked off a little on Lake Jocassee after the recent rains, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports
February 10
Lake Russell water levels are at 474.13 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is clear on the main lake and at the front of creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are about 49-50 degrees, hitting 52 in the afternoon.
The striped bass fishing has been strong recently on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
February 10
Lake Wateree is at 95.0% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s.
The bulk of the crappie are still in the river run from the state park to Wateree Creek, where veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports
February 10
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 659.17 (full pool is 660.00). Some creeks are dingy to muddy but the main rivers are clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 47 degrees.
With the cold conditions it’s not surprising that fish are deep, and Captain Bill Plumley reports
February 10
Clarks Hill water levels are very high at 330.76 (full pool is 330.00) and the upper half of the lake is stained to muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s.
Back on the water after the bass, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports
February 11
Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.67 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.31 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are back to a normal color and water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 40s.
The bass on Santee Cooper are doing exactly what they are supposed to doing, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports