August 26

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are still about 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is moderate. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

The really hot fall bite hasn’t quite kicked off yet, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports

August 26

Morning surface water temperatures are about 86 degrees around Hilton Head and visibility is about normal. There are shrimp and mullet in the creeks and menhaden everywhere. 

It’s been a pretty good couple of weeks around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

August 26

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s around Murrells Inlet.

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, fiddler crabs, sand fleas, blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. Live finger mullet are big enough for bait and prolific in the creeks and off the beaches, but the water has gotten so hot that they are not always able to keep them alive and in stock. 

August 25

Lake Murray water levels are up to 358.03 (full pool is 360.00) and the main lake is still relatively clear (with a summer green tint). Morning surface temperatures are around 83 degrees. 

This Saturday, August 28 tournament bass angler Stan Gunter of Saluda is hosting the Fishing for a Cause benefit tournament for A Place for Us Ministry International out of Dreher Island.

August 25

Morning surface water temperatures are still in the mid-80s degrees around Beaufort, and from mullet to menhaden to shrimp there is tons of bait in the area.

It’s been another strong period for fishing on the high tide around Beaufort, and Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

August 25

Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are in the mid-80s. 

This week there’s no doubt the hot bite on the north end of the Grand Strand is for redfish, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

August 24

Lake Keowee is at 97.4% of full pool and the backs of major creeks and coves are stained after heavy rainfall this past week. Water temperatures have also fallen a degree or so from the mid- to high 80s over most of the lake, with temperatures below the Jocassee dam also a bit cooler.  

Fishing is tough right now on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

August 20

Lake Jocassee is at 96.4% of full pool and, while the main lake is still clear, recent rains and run-off have dirtied up the banks. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 80s in the creeks.  

Fresh off 16 pounds and first place in last night’s bass event, tournament angler Joe Anders of Easley reports

August 20

Lake Russell water levels are up to 474.68 (full pool is 475.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees. 

This weekGuide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

August 20

Lake Wylie is at 97.2% of full pool and with a bunch of rain over the weekend the creeks and rivers got really muddy. That water has quickly moved down the lake and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. 

The bass fishing has gotten even tougher on Lake Wylie, and in a recent Thursday night event with 30 boats first place was a very respectable thirteen pounds, while second place dropped to 7 pound and third was in the 4s. Brutal does not even begin to describe the fishing.

August 20

Lake Wateree is at 96.9% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s. 

While numbers of crappie can still be caught on Lake Wateree with the same patterns, in the last week tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt has

August 20

Lake Hartwell water levels have shot back up to 661.37 (full pool is 660.00) after the torrential rains, and while the main lake has stayed clear some of the backs have gotten a little cloudy.  (It would be highly unusual for the lake to get muddy during the summer). Morning surface temperatures dropped from 87 to 84 this week, but they will probably return to the high 80s soon.  

Early in the morning it’s still a very good bite for hybrid bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

August 20

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.76 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees. 

Even though some guides are travelling over to Murray right now from Clarks Hill, William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports

August 20

Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.39 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.03 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Despite recent rains the lakes remain relatively clear and morning surface water temperatures are 87 or 88 degrees.   

The catfish bite remains the best thing going on Santee Cooper, and Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports

August 19

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 438.97 (full pool is 440.0) and surface water temperatures remains very hot. 

The bass fishing still hasn’t picked up much on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

August 19

Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s, warmer on the lower end near the power plant, and the lake is still clear. Water levels fluctuate daily.

We are getting closer to the hot fall bite for big catfish on Lake Monticello, and Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports

August 19

Lake Murray water levels are at 357.83 (full pool is 360.00) and the main lake is clear (with a summer green tint) while the Little River has gotten muddy. Morning surface temperatures are about 82 degrees. 

The striped bass fishing remains so consistent on Lake Murray that guides from other lakes are coming over, but Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports

August 6

Clarks Hill water levels are still very high at 330.96 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees. 

Patterns for catching bass are changing again on Clarks Hill, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports

August 6

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are still about 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is still good. The South Edisto is on the verge of getting dirty with recent rains, while the North Edisto is unlikely to change much. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

It’s a fairly stable period around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports

August 6

Morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees around Hilton Head.  Shrimp and finger mullet are prolific in the creeks.    

Storms and winds have wreaked havoc on the fishing this week, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

August 6

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 84 degrees around Beaufort, and from mullet to menhaden to shrimp there is tons of bait in the area.

As we get into another cycle of good tailing tides, Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

August 6

Lake Jocassee remains very high at 98.6% of full pool and, while the main lake is still clear, particularly in the evenings when there is a lot of boat traffic the creeks are milky or just dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 79-80 degrees.

The trout fishing was a little down on Lake Jocassee this week, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports