April 1

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.24 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.82 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the low 60s and there is some dirty water rolling into the lakes. 

As predicted the Elite Series Pros absolutely wrecked the bass at Santee Cooper two weeks ago, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports

April 1

Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 inshore around Beaufort, and the water clarity is still pretty high. 

Even though we’ve had some up-and-down weather this week, Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

April 1

Morning surface water temperatures are up to about 64 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and clarity is about a 7 out of 10. There has been a ton of wind this week. 

The trout continue to cooperate around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

April 1

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s inshore around Little River and with big winds and rains the water has been pretty stirred up. 

Unpleasant weather conditions have made for some tough days at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, but Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

April 1

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s in Murrells Inlet and the water is still very clear. Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live mullet, fiddler crabs (some days – call to check), crappie shiners, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits including frozen sand fleas.

Inshore fishing is starting to pick up around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports

March 31

Lake Keowee is at 98.5% of full pool and clarity is normal (good). Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low 60s over most of the lake.

Spawning activity is now widespread over Keowee, and N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

March 31

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 62-63 degrees inshore and the water is still clear. With one of the driest springs in recent memory they are hopeful for rain. 

This week there’s little doubt that – when you can get there – the best fishing around Edisto

March 31

Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees inshore around Charleston. 

The wind has not been favorable for getting out of the creeks around Charleston, but fortunately Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports

March 25

Lake Jocassee is at 98.6% of full pool and the main lake is clear while the backs are pretty dingy (for Jocassee) between recent winds and rain. Morning surface water temperatures are now running about 56 degrees on the main lake. 

There has been an outstanding pre-spawn bass bite this week on Lake Jocassee, and tournament angler Joe Anders of Easley reports

March 25

Lake Russell water levels are down to 474.59 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is pretty clear while the creeks are a little muddy in the backs. Morning surface water temperatures are about 57-58 degrees on the main lake to 60 in the creeks.     

The bass fishing has been extremely good this week on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

March 25

Lake Wateree is at 97.1% of full pool and parts of the lake are very dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 60s.  

It’s many people’s favorite time of the year to fish for crappie, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports

March 25

Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 661.24 (full pool is 660.00) and the creeks are still muddy. Morning surface water temperatures up the rivers have hit the lower 60s. 

For weeks Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) had to report that the hybrid and striped bass were

March 25

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.08 (full pool is 440.0) and morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 60s. 

The Lake Greenwood bass spawn kicked off a little later than it did on some other area lakes, but tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

March 25

Clarks Hill water levels are very high at 331.68 (full pool is 330.00) and the backs of creeks are muddy. Morning surface water temperatures on the main lake are about 57 on the lower end but higher in some creeks. 

Getting bites from bass on Clarks Hill right now is no problem, but tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports

March 25

Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool and clarity is normal (good). Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s over most of the lake.

While windy conditions made for difficult fishing a few days last week, N&C Marine / Falcon team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

March 24

Lake Wylie is at 97.4% of full pool and the lake is still muddy in parts as Duke has been pulling a lot of water. Morning surface water temperatures are about 58-59 degrees.

It’s good bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports

March 24

Lake Monticello morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s, depending on section of the lake, with the warmer water on the lower end near the power plant. The lake is still more stained than normal after recent rains. Lake levels fluctuate daily.  

The bass on Lake Monticello are right back where they are supposed to be, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports

March 24

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.90 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.48 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). 

We are at about the mid-point of the crappie spawn on Santee Cooper, and Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports

March 24

Lake Murray water levels are down to 357.91 (full pool is 360.00) and the rivers are very stained. Morning surface water temperatures are around 58-60 degrees. 

By now most of the striped bass on Lake Murray are in the creeks, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

March 17

Morning surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees in Murrells Inlet.

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

There’s a glimmer of activity with the inshore fishing around Murrells Inlet, and Captain Jay Baisch reports

March 17

Inshore surface water temperatures were about 61 this morning around Beaufort, and the water clarity is down a little.

It’s still the March Madness transition period for redfish in the Lowcountry, but Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

March 17

After dropping about a foot Lake Russell water levels are back above full at 475.16 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is muddy in the backs of creeks. At least down the lake is still pretty clear on the main watever but even creeks that generally stay clean have now gotten muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are about 56 or 57 degrees.