March 3
Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures are now in the low 60s throughout the lake and rising quickly with the unseasonably warm weather.
As a result of rapidly rising temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
March 2
New report to follow once Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) returns from fishing overseas.
March 2
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 58 degrees and the water is still clear.
There’s little doubt that the best thing going around Edisto is the sheepshead and black drum fishing, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
March 2
Morning surface water temperatures have jumped way up to 62 around Hilton Head, and the water is dirtier. Instead of a 12/10 it’s now an 8/10!
The inshore fishing can be a little slow when it warms this fast, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports
March 2
Morning inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are in the low to mid-50s and conditions remain very clear.
The fishing is just starting to pick up at the top of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
March 2
Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.87 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.75 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is still clear in places. Morning surface water temperatures range wildly from the mid-50s on the lower lake in the big water to the mid-60s in protected backwater ponds.
As Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) predicted last week,
March 2
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 436.39 (full pool is 440.0) and the rivers are stained to muddy while the lower lake is pretty clean. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 58 to 63.
The crappie fishing is really starting to come on at Lake Greenwood, and Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports
March 1
Morning inshore surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees in the Charleston Harbor and the water clarity is still good.
While the fish may not eat after a cold snap, in general Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports
March 1
Lake Jocassee is up to 99.4% of full pool and the main lake is very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are running about 52-54 degrees.
It’s a really good trout bite on Lake Jocassee for big fish, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports
March 1
Lake Wylie is at 97.5% of full pool morning surface water temperatures have reached the mid-50s.
Whether because of their latitude or because they have blueback herring, in many South Carolina lakes the bass are approaching the spawn or already there. However, tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
March 1
Lake Wateree is at 95.4% of full pool and on the Lugoff side the water is more stained than usual while on the Camden sides it’s about normal. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 55-60 degrees depending on how far back you go.
This past Saturday tournament bass angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden
March 1
Lake Russell water levels are at 474.73 (full pool is 475.00) and the water is stained in the backs of creeks but generally clear on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are about 55 degrees on the main lake and 60-61 degrees in the backs of creeks.
In a sure sign of spring the bass have pretty much left deep water, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
March 1
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 659.55 (full pool is 660.00). The water is clear on the main lake but there is some color in the back of creeks. Water temperatures are about 54-57 degrees.
There’s apparently a little bass tournament coming to Lake Hartwell this week, and Guide Brad Fowler reports
March 1
Clarks Hill water levels are above full at 330.04 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees on the lower end of the main lake and as high as 64-65 degrees in the backs.
The hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill are transitioning out into spring patterns, and Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports
March 1
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s and even low 60s, with some warmer water on the south end, and the lake is clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.
The bass on Lake Monticello are following a very normal spring trajectory, and tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
March 1
Lake Murray water levels are up to 357.11 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity is still a good “spring green” up the rivers and clearer down the lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from the mid- to upper 50s, hitting the 60s on warm afternoons.
While the biggest numbers of striped bass have moved into other sections of the lake, Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports
February 26
Lake Keowee is at 98.8% of full pool and clarity is normal. Water temperatures have hit the 60-degree mark in the last couple of days.
As a result of rapidly rising temperatures, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
February 24
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 659.22 (full pool is 660.00). The water is pretty clear and morning surface water temperatures range from about 52 to 54 degrees.
With rising temperatures the hybrid and striped bass fishing has significantly removed on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports
February 24
Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.85 (full pool is 330.00) and up the lake there is dirtier water while down the lake has 4-5 feet of visibility. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s, rising to the high 50s in the afternoon.
Even after a few very warm days, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports
February 24
Santee Cooper water levels are up to 73.91 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and around 74.7 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). The upper lake is slightly dingy while the lower lake is still clear in places. Morning surface water temperatures have hit the lower 60s.
It’s the time of year when the bass fishing is highly dependent on the weather, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports
February 23
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 436.02 (full pool is 440.0) and up the lake there is some stained to muddy water, while down the lake is cleaner. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s.
It’s similar bass fishing conditions on Lake Greenwood to Lake Murray, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
February 23
Lake Murray water levels are up to 356.87 (full pool is 360.00) and water clarity is a good “spring green” up the rivers and clearer down the lake. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s over most of the lake.
With all the warm weather this week the striped bass bite on Lake Murray has gotten really good, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports
February 18
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 52 degrees and the water is still clear.
If anything the redfish have gotten more lethargic and unwilling to eat this week on the flats, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
February 18
Morning surface water temperatures are about 51-52 degrees around Beaufort, and the water conditions are still extremely clear.
Last week the conditions were similar to this week around Beaufort, but Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reported