June 2
Clarks Hill water levels are still above full at 331.33 (full pool is 330.00), and morning surface temperatures in the big water are cool for June at 77 degrees. The lake had cleared up but with recent rain it is stained again. Due to rain as well as wind there is also a lot of debris in the water.
Bass fishing has gotten tougher on Clarks Hill, but tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA reports
June 2
Lake Murray water levels are at 357.49 (full pool is 360.00). The water is stained with recent rains and surface temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s.
It’s been an impressive few days for striped bass fishing on Lake Murray, and Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports
May 30
Lake Keowee is at 98.3% of full pool. Water temperatures have remained steady this week in the low to mid-70s throughout the lake, with the warmest water around the power plant discharge. There has been a lot of rainfall over the watershed again this past week and major creeks and coves are stained while the main lake remains clear.
The rain continues to fall but bass fishing is good on Lake Keowee, with N&C Marine/Skeeter Team member Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reporting
May 29
Lake Monticello water temperatures range from about 73 to 78 degrees, and even with recent rains water clarity remains fairly normal.
In the Lake Murray Seniors Bass Club tournament yesterday it took about 13 pounds to win, but B.A.S.S. angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports
May 29
Inshore water temperatures around Georgetown are in the low to mid-70s, while ocean temperatures may be a few degrees higher. Everything is already muddy with way more freshwater on the way.
Weather and water conditions around Georgetown continue to be consistently inconsistent, and the effects of a pair of tropical storms and 5 inches of rain have now been added to winds that switch 180 degrees every three days. With five rivers that have their confluence near Georgetown the area is far more affected by freshwater than areas such as Port Royal to the south, and the net result is that Captain Fred Rourk (843-241-4767) must continue to report
May 28
Inshore surface water temperatures in the morning around Edisto Island are about 78 degrees, and the water is dirty in the South Edisto and better in the North Edisto.
Overall fishing conditions remain similar around Edisto Island, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports
May 28
Inshore surface water temperatures are approximately 75-78 degrees around Beaufort, and while water conditions are a little stained right now soon they should be very tannic after freshwater arrives.
Water conditions are at least five or six degrees cool for this time of year, but Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports
May 28
Lake Greenwood is at 439.32 (full pool is 440.0) and water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. The mud line has come almost all the way down the lake and the flood gates are open.
Even before the latest monsoon bass fishing was tough on Lake Greenwood and the fish seemed to be in a post-spawn funk, but tournament angler Stan Gunter of Saluda reports
May 28
Inshore surface temperatures on the north end of the Grand Strand are in the mid-70s. The water was pretty clear before the tropical storm, but now it has gotten muddy.
There have been some pretty good catches to the north of Myrtle Beach in this mild May, and Captain Patrick “Smiley” Kelly (843-361-7445) reports
May 28
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Murrells Inlet, and after a tropical storm yesterday for right now the water is very muddy.
Baisch Boys Bait and Tackle (843-651-1915) has regular and jumbo mud minnows, live shrimp, live fiddler crabs, fresh shrimp, salt clam, and a full range of frozen baits. Live finger mullet should be available this month.
It’s hard to write a fishing report the day after a tropical storm, but Captain J Baisch (843-902-0356) reports
May 28
Lake Jocassee is at 98.5% of full pool, and despite a lot of rain the lake is very clear on the main lake. Up the rivers there is some debris floating and the water is more stained. Water temperatures are still a very low 68 or 69 degrees at the dam but warmer up the rivers.
Trout fishing results are a little atypical on Lake Jocassee, and Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) suspects
May 28
Lake Wateree is up to 101.8% of full pool and many access points are closed or unusable. While the whole lake is stained the whole lake is not (yet) muddy, and the lower lake is still a couple of shades cleaner than the muddy upper end. Watch for hazards such as floating logs if you go out. Water temperatures range from about 70-74 degrees.
May 28
Lake Wylie is at 99.9% of full pool and water temperatures are in the lower 70s. With all the rain last week the water is very stained to muddy and there is ton of current.
A very mild late spring is prolonging the shad spawn on Lake Wylie, and tournament bass angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports
May 28
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Hilton Head. Very windy conditions have dirtied the water.
The Broad River/ Port Royal Sound cobia fishery was pretty good in May, but Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports
May 27
Lake Russell water levels are down from a high of more than 1 ½ feet above full pool Sunday to less than 6 inches above full at 475.37 (full pool is 475.00), and water temperatures are around 74 degrees. After 6 inches of rain last week there was debris and logs floating everywhere, but the Corps is pulling so much water that conditions have normalized and water color is fairly normal. Morning surface temperatures are about 74 degrees.
The herring spawn has picked up again on Lake Russell, probably because of cool temperatures, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports
May 20
Santee Cooper water levels are at 75.90 in Lake Marion (full pool is 76.8) and 75.07 in Lake Moultrie (full pool is 75.5). Water temperatures are around 74 degrees in the morning and the lakes – which have been dingy to clear – are about to get very muddy.
The bass are still shallow on Santee Cooper, and Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports
May 20
Lake Hartwell water levels are way up to 663.00 (full pool is 660.00) and promise to rise further, and morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s. The creeks are starting to get muddy.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing has improved a little on Lake Hartwell, although Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports
May 20
Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are in the mid-70s, and all the wind and strong tides has made for dirty water. Rain is also muddying the water.
Windy conditions continue to make for interesting fishing conditions, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports
May 20
Clarks Hill water levels are above full and rising at 330.98 (full pool is 330.00), and morning surface temperatures range from 73-76 degrees. The lake was relatively clear before this newest round of rain which is already muddying the lake.
The winning bass patterns have not changed a whole lot on Clarks Hill, but tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, GA reports
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