SC Freshwater Fishing Report - March 8
By - For more complete information visit SCFishingReport.com .
Published: March 8, 2010
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Trout: Good. Captain Steve Pietrykowski reports that the bite remains good when anglers are willing or able to brave the cold, wind and rain. Fish can be caught a variety of ways from the surface down to 45 feet. Some anglers are having success trolling spoons and drifting live bait. Others are jigging spoons underneath schools of bait that are getting pushed to the surface. Some anglers are catching fish casting Rooster Tails or small plugs shallow. Black Bass: Slow. Captain Pat Bennett reports that fishing remains tough. A few fish can be found in the backs of creek and rivers feeding on shad, but more fish can be found on main lake points. Try fishing a white jig or a finesse worm. Fishing a jigging spoon under schools of bait beside steep drops and ledges is also a good bet.
Lake Keowee
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Slow. Captain Chris “Fishboy” Schuber reports that the bite remains slow. Out on the water Captain Chris is mainly fishing watermelon seed colored shakey head worms and Carolina rigged worms in 15-45 feet of water near main lake points. Look for bait on your graph and then be sure to present your lure slowly.
Lake Hartwell
Catfish: Fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that the bite for channels and flathead catfish remains slow, but blue catfish continue to feed pretty well although they have slowed down a bit from two weeks ago. He is fishing on flats in 20-30 feet of water, both up the creeks and out in clearer main lake water. Cut herring and gizzard shad will both catch fish. Striped and Hybrid Bass: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that striper fishing continues to be a bit better than it was in mid-January, and a few more fish are being picked up than two weeks ago. Bait is not producing at all but trolling umbrella rigs or jigging spoons around bait will pick up a few fish. Captain Bill is doing most of his fishing in 20-40 feet of water in areas where he sees the birds. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Guide Brad Fowler advises that the best way to catch fish on Lake Hartwell right now is by staying near the channels in the major creeks and fishing a jigging spoon or drop shotting a worm 30-45 feet deep. Dragging a shakey head worm on the bottom should also catch fish. If the sun comes out and the water warms have a look around shallow rock, wood or docks. Crappie: Slow. Captain Bill Plumley reports that crappie fishing continue to be slow. Try fishing live minnows over tree tops in 25-30 feet of water.
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Slow. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that ever since the cold snap the fishing has essentially been shut down, and he has had to turn down a couple of parties looking to bass fish. Before the cold snap he was catching bass mid-lake in 25-35 feet of water just off the main channel, but with the very cold weather fish seem to have gotten lockjaw. Fish probably gorged during the cold snap and accompanying major shad kill, and only had to open their mouths to bite. It will take some more warm weather to get their metabolisms going again to the point where they want to eat. When the bite is back on whether Wendell is fishing over trees, other cover or a clean bottom probably won’t matter – the key in the winter is fishing near the schools of bait. Jigging spoons will be the artificial lures of choice, and minnows will also catch fish. 80% of the bass caught are spotted bass, but largemouth are also mixed in as well as other species. The best fishing seems to come in the middle of the day when the sun has been on the water for several hours. Perch and crappie: Slow. Guide Wendell Wilson reported that before the cold snap he was catching lots of white perch, yellow perch and crappie fishing around schools of bait in 30-35 feet of water. However, the cold snap and shad kill has given the fish lockjaw. When the water warms fish medium minnows just off the bottom and expect a mixed bag with some bass and catfish thrown in, too. Catfish: Slow. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that he is not spending much time targeting catfish but before the cold snap he was picking them up on minnows while fishing for crappie and bass. When the water warms look in 20-25 feet of water around bait schools and fish cut bait on the bottom. Striped Bass: Slow. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that striped bass usually make their way down to the lower lake by this time. Anglers can fish for them by looking for seagulls and then casting half ounce bucktails towards the birds, or pulling free lined live herring through the same areas. This year, however, the striper are very difficult to locate in the muddy water. The bite will probably not improve until temperatures warm and the water clears up a bit.
Lake Thurmond
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. The Clark’s Hill Herring Hut reports that a lot of fish are making their way down the rivers – the Georgia Little River, Key Creek, and Parksville are good areas to look. Another group of fish has already arrived at the dam , and a few people are catching fish on cut bait off the banks down there. The best pattern for hybrids is fishing 25 feet down over 50-60 feet of water. Most hybrids are running in the 3-6 pound range. For striper fish 35 feet deep in 50-60 feet. Most fish are coming on down-lined live herring; the planer board bite has yet to come on. Perch: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that below the Lake Russell Dam he is catching good numbers of white and yellow perch with minnows on the bottom in 30 feet. Crappie: Fair. Guide Rod Wall reports that both arms of the lake are muddy, and the baitfish have started to make their way into the creeks. The best bite in recent tournaments has come long-line trolling with plain jigs – the bite has been short and so they are making the bait as short as possible. While the trolling bite has been pretty good the brush bite is very poor - fish aren’t congregated on brush piles right now. Black bass: Slow. The Herring Hut reports that the bass bite continues to be very slow. The better fish seem to be coming in 30-40 feet of water on Buckeye Lures Mop Jigs, but a few fish will come shallower in the evening. Bream and perch: Slow. The Herring Hut reports that the current from all having all seven gates open is still too strong to fish below the Savannah River Dam. Once the current slows fish in ditches 14-17 feet deep that run parallel to the main channel where there are good numbers of yellow perch (use minnows) and bream (use worms) as well as some crappie.
Lake Wylie
Catfish: Fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that the blue catfish bite along deep channel ledges has slowed considerably. However, channel catfish are biting well closing to the banks where they are feeding in shallow water. Anchored or drifted cut bait will both catch fish. White perch and crappie: Slow to fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that the white perch are very hard to locate right now. Try fishing minnows 18-24 feet deep around offshore structure. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Guide Matt Arey reports the fishing on Wylie remains really tough. In club tournaments 5 fish sacks are rare, and 2-3 fish bags are good. A few bass have been caught around the warm water discharge in the South Fork on shallow running crankbaits and jigs, but it’s even tough there with heavily stained conditions. Look for the warming trend to improve fishing.
Lake Greenwood
Crappie: Fair. Guide Rod Wall reports that fish are being found in the creeks about 15-20 feet deep, and a foot or two off the bottom. It is a very slow, lethargic bite and darker colored jigs tipped with minnows are most visible in the stained water. Catfish: Fair. Captain Chris Simpson reports that a few channel catfish are being caught by drifting, but anchoring on the channel ledges is producing more fish right now. The channel cats don’t appear to be very aggressive and so a still presentation is working best. Anchor where you can place baits up in the shallows as well as all the way down in the channel. Cut herring, gizzard shad and white perch will all work. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Sportsman’s Friend reports that in the stained water throwing something with good vibration is essential, and the few fish being caught are coming on spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Bright colored lures with some flash may also work. Look around brush in 6-12 feet of water. A few fish are also being caught jigging - striper, white perch and largemouth bass will all be together in some places. Stanley Gunter of the Greenwood Bassmasters says that in their most recent tournament only 5 fish were caught by 12 people. They were pretty good ones - 5.5, 4.5, two 2.5s and a little fish - but few and far between. Everything was caught on a Shad Rap or a jig.
Lake Murray
Crappie: Very good. Captain Brad Taylor reports that despite the cold water the bite is about as good as it will get in the Little River area. More fish are coming up every day, and the average size is getting bigger and bigger. The best pattern continues to be tight-lining, and until water temperatures hit 50 there won’t be much trolling. Jigs tipped with minnows are most productive right now. Striped Bass: Good. Dooley’s Sports Shop reports that the striper fishing has improved in the last week or two. Fish can be found up the Little River from 15 feet on up to the bank around shallow points, and a lot of striper are being picked up by crappie fishermen trolling jigs and minnows. The two most successful methods are free lining live herring and casting bucktails. Bream: Good. Dooley’s reports that shellcracker have moved out a little bit and the fishing has slowed down somewhat. Look around secondary points with hard shell bottoms in 8-10 feet of water and fish with baby nightcrawlers. Catfish: Fair. Captain Chris Simpson reports that lots of blue catfish are suspended under baitfish but there are still some channel catfish that can be caught using traditional bottom fishing methods such as Santee-style drifting. For blue catfish, fishing suspended bait just under the baitfish is most effective. Cut and live herring are the best baits. Dooley’s notes that a few catfish have been caught off of docks in 8-15 feet, and one customer reported cleaning a female full of eggs. Largemouth Bass: Slow. Captain Doug Lown reports that a combination of cold temperatures, current from pulling water and muddy conditions is still making for a tough bite. Down the lake fish are holding a little deeper, and up the lake they are moving into the warming shallows when the sun is out. It’s a good time to cast a Shad Rap in 4-6 feet of water and cover a lot of territory.
Lake Monticello
Catfish: Good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that fishing has improved in the last couple of weeks. Anchoring along deep water ledges continues to be the key – the sharper the drop-off, the better the fishing. A few fish are also being found in the backs of coves filled with baitfish. Most of the aggressive fish will be found in 40-70 feet of water, and cut gizzard shad is the best bait.
Lake Wateree
Catfish: Good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that anchoring has been more productive than drifting on recent trips, and some big fish have been caught by patient anglers. A variety of cut bait will catch fish. Crappie: Fair. Will Hinson of the Southern Crappie Tournament Trail advises that Lake Wateree remains muddy and cold. With the beginning of a warming trend it’s a good time to start long-line trolling with jigs tipped with minnows; start out fishing in mid-lake creeks. Largemouth Bass: Slow. CATT Owner Brett Collins reports that Wateree is known for being difficult in the winter, and the last few weeks have been no exception. He has his best luck with a Shad Rap fished very slowly when it is cold. 2009 FLW Co-Angler of the Year Dearal Rodgers suggests fishing along steep, rocky banks in the lower lake with jigs, shakey head worms or large spinnerbaits. A slow presentation is critical.
Santee Cooper System
Catfish: Fair. Captain Jim Glenn reports that the blue catfish bite remains fairly erratic, especially after the snow last weekend. Baitfish are schooled up in water 25 to 35 ft deep, and catfish are in and around those schools. Fish near the bottom or with baits suspended in or just below the bait schools. Shallow water from 2 to 10 ft is also worth considering, especially with rising water. Anchor and cast out multiple rods for shallow water fishing. The bait of choice is fresh cut herring or threadfin and gizzard shad. On Lake Marion Li’l N8s Bait and Tackle in Sumter also reports that the bite slowed after the snow. It should turn back on this weekend, though, and threadfin shad remain gathered in deep water with catfish nearby. The cats can be found in the Little River area or along the main river channel. The best bite has been on ledges about 28-30 feet deep beside 40 feet of water. Most people are using cut blueback herring, available at Li’l N8s, for bait. Largemouth bass: Slow. Captain Inky Davis reports that the warming trend this weekend should bring the fish shallower and make the fish more active. Remember that muddy water will warm faster and hold the heat longer than clear water. As temperatures rise, so will the bass. Crappie: Captain Steve English advises that this warming trend should bring the crappie shallower. The bite should start around Angel’s Cove, Eutaw Springs behind Bell’s Marina, and Crappie Neck just off the canal. Look in 10-12 feet of water around brush, and then try drifting. Fish will stage on brushpiles as they come in to spawn.
Purchase a SC fishing license at: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html
South Carolina freshwater recreational fishing regulations: (Pdf file): http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/freshfishing.pdf
