October 7

Santee Cooper water levels are at 74.65 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and about 74.5 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Morning surface water temperatures are still about 79 degrees.

There are mixed signals on the catfish action, but Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports

October 7

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 80 degrees in the morning and clarity is still high. There is tons of bait around and shrimping is very good. 

With water temperatures actually rising a degree from last week to this fish are still in a bit of a holding pattern, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143)

October 7

Morning surface water temperatures are about 79 degrees around Beaufort and there has been a ton of rain recently after a dry couple of weeks. 

It’s been a clear if not easy pattern for redfish in Beaufort, and Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports

October 7

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 79 degrees around Hilton Head, and with rain the last few days (as well as monster tides) the water has gotten muddy.  Finger mullet are everywhere from the ocean to all the rivers and creeks, and by next week rain should have pushed bait down the rivers and the tides will be weaker – allowing for easier netting. 

Even though there is a ton of bait around fishing conditions have been pretty crummy this week, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

October 7

Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are 78 degrees. 

While much of the action has been in the inlet, Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports

October 7

Morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees in Murrells Inlet.

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs (usually), blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. 

October 7

Inshore surface water temperatures are still about 78 degrees around Charleston and the creeks are full of bait. 

There’s not too much change in the inshore bite around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports

October 7

Lake Wylie is at 96.8% of full pool and the lake is still relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 79-80 degrees. 

We are getting to the time of year when the bass fishing on Lake Wylie should be improving, and tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill says

October 7

Lake Wateree is at 96.6% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are still in the upper 70s. Even before the rains the water above the state park had some color, and now it is filtering down the lake.

We are getting close but there’s still not much change in the crappie pattern on Lake Wateree, and veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports

October 7

Lake Hartwell water levels are up about a foot to 659.79 (full pool is 660.00) after several inches of rain with more coming, and the very backs of some creeks are getting dirty although the main lake is unlikely to be affected. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 78 degrees.

It’s been a delayed year but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

October 7

Lake Greenwood water levels are up to 439.28 (full pool is 440.0) and recent rains are starting to muddy the upper end. The lower lake has been so clear it will take a lot for the dirty water to affect its clarity. Morning surface water temperatures are about 76 or 77 degrees.

As on many area lakes, veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

October 6

Lake Russell water levels are well above full pool to 474.49 (full pool is 475.00) and rising fast after recent rains. They have had 5 inches of rain already and are expected to get 3-4 more inches, and so water clarity is dropping fast. In the backs of the creeks to about halfway out it’s already getting pretty bad. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s. 

Monsoon conditions are unlikely to put the bass on the bottom, and so Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

October 1

Lake Keowee is at 98.7% of full pool and water clarity is normal. Water temperatures are in the lower 80s over most of the lake and high 70s at the base of the Jocassee Dam. 

While Lake Keowee bass are still primarily in a summer pattern, N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports

September 30

Lake Jocassee is around 95.4% of full pool and clarity is extremely high. Morning surface water temperatures are around 77 degrees. 

Water temperatures have not cooled off enough for the trout to move shallower, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports

September 30

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are down to 79 degrees in the morning and clarity is still high. There is tons of bait around and shrimping is very good. 

Without a significant reduction in water temperatures fish are in a bit of a holding pattern, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports

September 30

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 81 degrees around Hilton Head, and with all the recent rains the Broad and Chechessee Rivers are both very stained until you get to the sounds.  There is still tons of bait around.

The most exciting development around Hilton Head this week is with the bull red drum, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports

September 30

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.98 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is still clear. However, in the backs of creeks there are signs that the water is starting to turn over and you can already see brown water and bubbles on the surface. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the upper 70s.   

Even though it would be customary to expect the bite to fall off a bit when the lake starts to turn over,Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports

September 30

Lake Wylie is at 96.7% of full pool and the lake is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 80 degrees.  

It’s been a tough few months of bass fishing on Lake Wylie, and anyone expecting that to change with this past weekend’s two-day BFL on Lake Wylie

September 30

Lake Wateree is at 96.4% of full pool and morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees. Clarity is above normal. 

It’s unclear why, but tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports

September 30

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 659.01 (full pool is 660.00) and the water is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 79 degrees.

With water temperatures having only dropped a few more degrees Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports

September 29

Inshore surface water temperatures around Little River are about 77 degrees. 

It’s a really good time to fish in the Little River area, and from inshore to the inlet to the beaches to nearshore it’s getting to be a strong fall bite. Perhaps the most exciting bite is in the Little River Inlet,

September 29

Lake Greenwood water levels are at 439.10 (full pool is 440.0) and the water is relatively clear. Surface water temperatures range from 78 in the morning to about 82 in the afternoon.

Even though morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the 70s, veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports

September 29

Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 70s around Murrells Inlet.

Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live finger mullet, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs (usually), blood worms, fresh head-on shrimp, and a full range of frozen baits. 

There is a still a wide-open mullet run