May 20
Lake Murray water levels are at 358.04 (full pool is 360.00). Before the heavy rains began water temperatures had reached the upper 70s in many places, but they have fallen at least five degrees. Clarity was very good at the beginning of the weak, but creeks are becoming stained with a mud line coming.
Weird spring weather continues, and veteran tournament bass angler Captain Doug Lown reports
May 20
Lake Keowee is at 99.0% of full pool. Water temperatures are now in the low to mid-70s throughout the lake, with the warmest water around the power plant discharge. A lot of rain has fallen over the region in the last few days – and continues to fall – and all the main creeks (Cane, Crooked, Crowe, etc.) are stained to muddy in the backs. The back of coves that have a lot of runoff are also stained.
Even as the rain falls serious bass fishermen are still getting out on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Teammember Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
May 14
Inshore surface water temperatures are approximately 72 degrees around Beaufort, and with all the wind areas like the Broad River have been muddy.
It’s hard to get a read on the spring cobia fishing when wind and visibility issues have limited angling, but Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
May 14
Lake Greenwood is at 439.02 (full pool is 440.0) and water temperatures are in the upper 60s.
The bass spawn is essentially over on Lake Greenwood, but tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
May 14
Lake Russell water levels are at 474.59 (full pool is 475.00) and water temperatures are around 68-70 degrees. The lake is fairly clear although there is some stained water up the creeks.
Even though water temperatures are cool – surprisingly given the time of year, but unsurprisingly given recent weather – Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
May 14
Inshore water temperatures around Georgetown are about 74 degrees inside, while ocean temperatures are around 74. Winyah Bay is muddy as always while North Inlet is a milky green.
Water temperatures are several degrees behind where they were last year, and Captain Fred Rourk (843-241-4767) continues to report
May 14
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Hilton Head. Very windy conditions have dirtied the water and limited fishable areas.
There is one commonality for inshore fishing right now, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports
May 14
Water temperatures are in the low 70s around Murrells Inlet but should rise rapidly over the next few days.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live fiddler crabs, fresh shrimp, salt clam, and a full range of frozen baits. Live shrimp are day-to-day but soon they should be available all the time.
May 13
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the upper 60s to around 70. Clarity is typically good and the lake level normally fluctuates daily.
With water temperatures relatively unchanged, B.A.S.S. angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
May 13
Lake Jocassee is at 99.4% of full pool, and the lake is typically clear right now. Water temperatures range from 62.5 at the dam to the mid-60s.
The trout fishing has picked up on Lake Jocassee, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports
May 13
Inshore surface water temperatures in the morning around Edisto Island are about 72 degrees, and the water in both rivers is nice and clear.
Back on the water accepting small parties again, Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
May 13
Inshore surface temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the upper 60s to 70 degrees and the water is overall very clear.
The flounder bite continues to be very good on the north end of the South Carolina Grand Strand, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
May 13
Lake Wateree is at 96.9% of full pool, and the water has a normal stain for Lake Wateree. Temperatures have dropped to around 66 degrees.
The post-spawn bass bite continues to be strong on Lake Wateree, and tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports
May 13
Lake Wylie is down to 97.2% of full pool and water temperatures remain stuck in the mid-60s. The water is still stained from the South Fork down.
The bass spawn is essentially over on Lake Wylie, but angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
May 13
Lake Keowee is at 97.6% of full pool. Water temperatures have actually dropped a couple of degrees with cool nights last week, and temperatures are generally in the upper 60s over most of the lake and lower 70s around the power plant.
There is good news with the bass fishing on Lake Keowee, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
May 12
Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.79 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 74.75 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are in the upper 60s. The upper lake is muddy while the lower lake is just colored.
The bass remain in a similar pattern on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports
May 12
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 661.61 (full pool is 660.00) and morning surface water temperatures remain in the upper 60s. Overall water clarity is very good.
It’s a strange bite for hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports
May 12
Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are in the mid-70s, and all the wind and strong tides has made for dirty water.
Windy conditions have made for interesting fishing conditions, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports
May 12
Clarks Hill water levels are still above full at 330.40 (full pool is 330.00), and morning surface temperatures range from 68-70 degrees. Up the lake the water is dirty but cleaner that it was, while down the lake it is fairly clear. The water is stained because of high winds, not rain.
There are still a bunch of bass shallow on Clarks Hill, and tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA reports
May 12
Lake Murray water levels are at 358.03 (full pool is 360.00) and visibility is stained mid-lake and clearing down the lake. Morning surface temperatures remains in the upper 60s.
Water temperatures have continued to hold steady or even drop, and as a result Lake Murray bass fishing patterns have not changed very much. The fish have, however, been a little finicky. Veteran tournament angler Captain Doug Lown reports
May 7
Lake Keowee is at 98.4% of full pool. Water temperatures have now reached into the 70s throughout the lake with the warmest water around the power plant at 74 degrees.
Bass fishing on Lake Keowee has gotten a lot tougher in the past ten days, and N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports
May 1
Lake Jocassee is at 98.9% of full pool, and the lake is extremely clear right now. Water temperatures are in the mid-60s.
It’s a fantastic time to bass fish on Lake Jocassee, and tournament angler Joe Anders of Easley reports
May 1
Inshore surface water temperatures are approximately 69-70 degrees around Beaufort, and with lots of rain the water is tannic again.
Temperatures are unseasonably mild, but Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
May 1
Lake Monticello water temperatures are in the upper 60s. Lake levels normally fluctuate daily.
With ramps open again bass fishing has restarted on Lake Monticello, and B.A.S.S. angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports