January 6

Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and from Beaver Creek down the lake is relatively clear while up the lake is getting dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees. 

Even before the cold front it was a little tough to find better bass on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports

January 6

Lake Hartwell water levels are back up to 657.86 (full pool is 660.00) and the main lake is still clear even as some of the creeks have gotten muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 57 degrees. 

The bass fishing has been pretty good on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports

January 6

Santee Cooper water levels are at 73.71 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 72.64 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are still very clear and morning surface water temperatures are down to the mid-50s. 

Even after this cold snap overall mild temperatures mean that the crappie bite has stayed extremely good for the season, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports

January 6

Lake Greenwood water levels have shot up to 437.10 (full pool is 440.0) and the water is the color of chocolate milk on the upper end while some areas are still decent. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the low to mid 50s.  

Things are changing fast with the bass on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

December 31

Lake Keowee is at 96.7% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have actually gone UP a degree or so this week on the lake, with water temperatures at 60 degrees over most of the lake.  The mid-lake region is still holding in the mid-60s. 

With temperatures running quite a few degrees higher than normal for this time of year, N&C Marine/Skeeter Teammember Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

December 24

Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s over most of the lake with low 60s still present in the mid-lake. 

Overall bass fishing on Lake Keowee is good right now, but N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson(864-324-2065) reports

December 23

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees. 

Lake Wylie catfish continue to follow an unusual pattern for early winter, and Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports

December 23

Lake Jocassee is at 93.8% of full pool and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 54-56 on the big water and 59-61 in the backs.   

The bass are still heavily related to forage on Lake Jocassee, and tournament angler Joe Anders of Easley reports

December 22

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 435.82 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are around 54 degrees. There is a slight stain on the upper end. 

Recent trips have confirmed that Lake Greenwood bass are in winter patterns, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

December 22

Clarks Hill water levels are at 326.85 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 56 degrees.

The bass fishing on Clarks Hill is pretty weather dependent right now, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports

December 22

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are in the mid-50s and the water is clear.

We are still in the period where a water temperature drop can be a positive thing, and usually until water temperatures bottom out for the winter each drop in the mercury can

December 22

Morning surface water temperatures are about 56-57 degrees around Beaufort and water conditions are mostly clear.

Rising or falling temperatures usually don’t affect the redfish for very long in Beaufort, but Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

December 22

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 58 degrees around Hilton Head and the water is very clear. 

In early December both species usually bite well, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

December 22

Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 55 degrees and the water is clear. 

We are in a season where fish can be very responsive to weather conditions, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

December 22

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s in Murrells Inlet.

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. 

December 22

Inshore surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s around Charleston and the water is clearing. 

After an incredible fall Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that inshore fishing is starting to look more like normal for early winter, and the redfish are now

December 22

Lake Russell water levels are at 475.27 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 56 degrees.

The fish are following the exact patterns they are supposed to follow in the winter on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

December 22

Lake Wateree is at 95.5% of full pool and the lake is still relatively clear despite recent rains. Up the lake around Wateree Creek does have a lot of color. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s.

While the best pattern for catching big crappie on Lake Wateree has not changed, veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt did some exploring

December 22

Lake Murray water levels are down to 354.72 and dropping towards their winter level of 354.00 (full pool is 360.00) and the water is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s.

Fresh off a second-place finish with 19 pounds in a trail championship over the weekend, tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

December 22

Lake Hartwell water levels are at 656.52 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is still clear. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 59 degrees.

With water temperatures surprisingly stable there’s not much change with the striped bass this week, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

December 22

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.03 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 73.78 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The lakes are still clear and morning surface water temperatures are about 58. 

With a relatively mild winter the crappie fishing has not slowed down yet on Santee Cooper, and even though Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports

December 22

Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the mid- to upper-50s, and the water is clear. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.

The bass are still in a pretty consistent pattern on Lake Monticello, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

December 16

Lake Greenwood water levels are down to 436.28 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s. 

The bass on Lake Greenwood are starting to get into winter patterns, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports