April 2
Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.34 (full pool is 440.0) and water temperatures were in the lower 60s before the cold snap.
The bass are at all different stages of the spawn on Lake Greenwood, and veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
April 2
Lake Wateree is at 99.9% of full pool but clarity on the lower end still looks surprisingly normal for water levels this high. Morning surface water temperatures were about 61 today.
Just yesterday water levels were so high that water was spilling over the Wateree dam, but today water levels have dropped just below full. However, despite quickly dropping water levels and temperatures, today tournament bass angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden found
April 2
Lake Wylie is at 98.1% of full pool and water temperatures were around 63-64 before the cold snap. The whole lake is muddy from one end to the other.
Once again conditions have dealt a harsh below to the bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
April 2
Clarks Hill water levels are well above full at 331.06 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are in the 60-degree range on the main lake. The lake was fairly clear before the last round of rain this week, but it is again stained and there is still lots of yellow pollen on the water.
Even though the water temperatures have dipped, the last couple of days tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA
April 2
Lake Russell water levels are down to 473.91 (full pool is 475.00). Morning surface water temperatures were about 63 or 64 degrees in the creeks before the cold snap but have dropped. The main lake is pretty clear but the creeks have a good stain to them.
The bass fishing has really picked up on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
April 2
Lake Hartwell water levels are still well over full pool at 661.39 (full pool is 660.00). While water temperatures had been in the upper 50s and low 60s, with two nights in the upper 20s they are dropping fast. There is trash everywhere and certain creeks such as some at the upper end of the Seneca are muddy right now.
April 2
Lake Jocassee is up to 98.6% of full pool and surface water temperatures are fluctuating around in the high 50s. There has been a ton of recent rain, and while the main lake never really gets dirty Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports
April 2
Morning surface water temperatures are around 60 in Murrells Inlet.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, crappie minnows, fresh shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. Most days fiddler crabs are available again.
Because it was a real winter this year things are little slow kicking off on the south end of the Grand Strand this spring, but Captain Jay Baisch (843-902-0356) reports
April 1
Inshore surface water temperatures were around 65 degrees yesterday in Beaufort, but weather rolling in today is certain to drop them. Even with the high winds it is still fairly clear, but the water is more tannic than usual.
The redfish remain in a transition mode in the Beaufort area, but Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
April 1
Lake Keowee is at 98.2% of full pool. Morning surface water temperatures are now in the low to mid-60s across the lake.
It’s the full blown bass spawning season on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
April 1
Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are in the mid-60s, and the water is still pretty clear.
It’s turning into a good spring on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and after a hiatus in the reports due to some telephone issues that kept us from connecting Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
March 26
Inshore water temperatures have risen to the low 60s and the water is surprisingly clean for the amount of recent rain.
As temperatures warm Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports
March 25
Lake Murray water levels are at 357.86 (full pool is 360.00). Up the lake the water has a little color to it but the lower end is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the process of shooting up from the upper 50s to 60s.
It’s a time of year and a week where things are changing really fast, and out on the water right now veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
March 25
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 438.54 (full pool is 440.0) and the lower lake is clear again. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees but rising rapidly.
As promised, veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
March 25
Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool. Water temperatures have now moved into the lower 60s over most of the lake, and around the power plant they are in the mid-60s. Clarity is normal.
Spring fishing is on at Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
March 25
Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 60 degrees. In the South Edisto the water is greener while in the North it is clearer.
The trout fishing is good in the creeks for the 13-16 inch trout that stay all year in Edisto, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
March 25
Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and the water is a medium green.
The nearshore fishing is still very good, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports
March 19 (continued)
Out on the water earlier today fishing the Big Bass Tour, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA managed to score a 5.82 pound big fish worth a healthy check in one of the hourly weigh-ins. This follows a good weekend last week where Tyler placed 11th out of about 150 boats in the Top 6 tournament.
Overall Tyler reports
Last weekend's featured Carolinas Bass Challenge tournament on Santee Cooper was won by Wade Grooms fishing alone with a big 28.06 pound sack including an 8.14 pound big fish. He won $10k and didn't have to share it with anyone! Reader J Andrews also didn't have to share his $80 AHQ gift certificate for the closest guess with anyone, and with a 28 pound even guess he was just an ounce away. Incidentally his 8.28 pound guess on big fish was also really close!
March 19
Lake Monticello surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s, with some warmer water on the south end, and clarity is good. Water levels fluctuate daily.
The cool, windy weather this week has kept the spring bass spawn from progressing much further forward, and Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
March 19
Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 438.06 (full pool is 440.0). Water temperatures are in the mid-50s after the recent cold snap.
It’s hard to generate momentum for the spring crappie spawn when the fish keep getting buffeted by cold fronts, and Guide Daniel Skipper (864-430-0488) reports
March 19
Lake Wateree is at 97.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 50s. Before this week’s rain the water was clearing but wind and rain are dirtying it up again.
One year we may get a spring where the water temperatures smoothly and gradually transition warmer, but this is not that year! Tournament bass angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports