Post by Steve Sutton on May 21, 2010 9:56:07 GMT -5
May 24, 2010 DNR News (803) 667-0696
The following information is provided courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports. DHEC Fish Consumption Advisories: www.scdhec.net/environment/water/fish.
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Black Bass: Good. Captain Pat Bennett reports that bass fishing has slowed down slightly on Lake Jocassee, with most of the fish up the rivers having already spawned but some main lake fish still prespawn or on the beds. Trout: Good. Captain Steve Pietrykowski reports that the best bite is found fishing 30-60 feet deep in the major rivers over 150-200 feet of water. Both spoons and live bait are producing good numbers of keeper sized fish.
Lake Keowee
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Captain Chris "Fishboy" Schuber reports that most bass are post spawn on Lake Keowee, and the shallow bite is very good. Nemire Lures Baby Buzzers, shakey head worms and shallow running crankbaits are all productive. Sammy topwater lures are also reportedly doing very well, and this is a good time for Carolina rigging.
Lake Hartwell
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that fish are scattered throughout the main lake and in the rivers, but the key is to fish off points in 25-35 feet of water. Down lines and free lines will both catch fish, and early in the morning some good catches can be had pulling up on a point and casting several rods out the back of the boat. Largemouth Bass: Good. Guide Brad Fowler reports that the spawn is winding down on Lake Hartwell, although some bedding fish can still be caught. The topwater bite is really improving, and some of the better fish are starting to be caught around spawning blueback herring near points and blow throughs in fairly shallow water. Catfish: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that channel catfishing is still good using night crawlers and cut herring on the bottom in 8-20 feet of water. Area of the lake is less important than finding that depth, and fish can be caught in the creeks, on flats and off the main lake. Crappie: Slow. Captain Bill Plumley reports the crappie bite remains tough, and the best fish are being caught before daylight under lights. For pre-dawn fishing set up over brush in 12-20 feet of water.
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Very good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the spotted bass bite has slowed slightly on Lake Russell, and fish have moved a bit deeper. The best way to catch spots is to fish off rocky, main lake points in 8-12 feet of water with a Spot Remover and a green pumpkin or cotton candy finesse worm. At the same time the largemouth bass bite has gotten hot. Early in the day Zara Spooks are excellent and later in the day flukes on a jighead or a plain hook will both work. Crappie: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports the crappie spawn is over and fish are now ganged up over shallow brush. They are gathered in tight schools 8-10 feet deep, and won't move to the deep brush in 20-25 feet until later in the summer. While it's a great time to catch numbers of fish on 1/32 ounce jigs, it's an in between time for catching big crappie. Catfish: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that catfish are being caught on cut herring fished 2-3 feet below floats around riprap near bridges. Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that he has picked up a few isolated striper in the last week or two while bass fishing.
Lake Thurmond
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. The Clark's Hill Herring Hut reports that striped bass fishing on Clarks Hill is excellent. For striper fish mid-lake with cut bait on the bottom in 15-20 feet of water, and double anchor off shoal markers. For hybrids fish down lines 20 feet deep over most any depth. Crappie: Good. The Herring Hut reports that they are catching fish all over the lake in 15-25 feet of water over brushpiles. Using minnows anchor the boat right over the brushpiles and fish vertically, and fishing jigs troll plain jigs over the brush. Black bass: Good. Buckeye Lures in Augusta reports that the herring spawn is wide open on Clarks Hill. About any point on the lake has spawning herring on it right now, and the bass are right there with them. Gunfish, Super Flukes, Sammys and Spooks will all catch fish on top, and pulling a Carolina rig in the same areas will also put fish in the boat. Bream: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that at the top of Clarks Hill he is catching good numbers of shellcracker in 7-8 feet of water.
Lake Wylie
Largemouth Bass: Good to very good. FLW Professional and Lake Wylie Guide Matt Arey reports the spawn is mostly over and bass are generally in a post-spawn phase. Lots of fish are guarding fry, and many bass can be found around docks. The shad spawn bite is rapidly improving, especially early in the morning, and bass can be found feeding on shad spawning against hard structure such as rocks, rip rap, bridge pilings and floating docks. Even over deep water fish will be found within a couple of feet of the surface, and swimbait, spinnerbaits and topwater lures will all work. In the night tournaments swimming jigs have also been popular. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that big catfish fishing has been hit or miss lately on Wylie. Better results are coming fishing at the mouths of creeks – especially when the water is stained. Cut white perch remain a good bait, and look for night-time summer flathead fishing to get good soon. White perch: Fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that perch fishing remains hit or miss, and some days the fishing is hot while on other days they seem to disappear. Try anchoring on offshore humps and fish about 20 feet down with minnows and worms.
Midlands' area
Lake Greenwood
Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the bite has gotten a slight bit less consistent, but he continues to catch good numbers of channel catfish. Drifting shrimp or a variety of cut baits in 5-15 feet of water is working, and fish can be found shallower at times, too. White Perch: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the white perch are starting to ball up and the action is starting to really turn on. Fish shallow flats and the backs of creeks in 5 to 15 foot of water with Sabiki rigs baited with minnows or worms. Largemouth Bass: Fair to good. Fish are in a post-spawn pattern, and the most successful anglers are fishing offshore humps in 12-15 feet of water. The technique of choice seemed to be dragging a Carolina rig across the humps.
Lake Murray
Catfish: Good. Dooley's Sport Shop reports that the catfish bite on Murray is excellent. Fish cut herring at night anywhere that has water 3-8 feet deep – around docks, anchored boats, or off points. Striped Bass: Very good. Lake World reports that fish are taking cut bait and live bait fished on the bottom in 10-30 feet of water, and there is also occasional schooling action. Dooley's reports that early in the morning topwater action is good, down by the dam free lining live herring is productive, and trolling plugs and Road Runners in 15-20 feet of water will work. Crappie: Very good. Captain Brad Taylor reports that the bite has been very strong for both numbers and size of fish. Up the river Brad is trolling on channel ledges, and he is also catching some fish on brush piles in 10-15 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Bream: Good to very good. Dooley's reports that shellcracker are feeding very well in 2-6 feet of water around weed lines and off points. Baby nightcrawlers and red worms will both work. Largemouth Bass: Fair to good. Captain Doug Lown reports that the best tournament fish seem to be feeding on blueback herring around a few key points in the lower part of the lake, but that bite generally dies by mid-morning.
Lake Monticello
Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the big blues are starting to fire up for the pre-spawn feeding period, and the next month and a half will be one of the best times of the year to get a true monster out of Monticello. Anchoring on main lake points has produced the best results recently, and the depth range has varied from day to day. Most any big chunk of cut bait will work right now.
Lake Wateree
Crappie: Good. Will Hinson of the Southern Crappie Tournament Trail reports that that bite has started to improve a bit as the spawn is now over. Across the lake fish can be caught in 12-18 feet of water over brush piles, using minnows or jigs. Largemouth Bass: Good. Dearal Rodgers reports that usually fish would be moving deeper by this stage of the spring, but cooler than normal water temperatures have the fish about 2-3 weeks behind. This means that plenty of fish are on the banks right now, and soft plastics and floating worms are a very good way to target them.
Santee Cooper System
Catfish: Very good. Captain Jim Glenn reports that the blue catfish bite has slowed a little in both lakes, particularly for big fish, as fish begin to focus more on spawning than eating. They will still take drifted or anchored cut shad, herring and perch, but feeding is not their first priority. The best daytime blue catfish bite is coming in 15-30 feet of water, and the shallow daytime bite in both lakes has been weak. In the last 10 days the bite in the Diversion Canal has improved, particularly when water is being pulled, creating current. L'il N8s Bait and Tackle in Sumter reports that some nice flatheads have been caught in the upper lake at night. Crappie: Very good. Captain Steve English reports that the majority of the fish he is catching seem to have moved out to brush piles in 8-14 feet of water. Bream: Very good. L'il N8s Bait and Tackle in Sumter reports that bluegill and shellcracker are both feeding well in the Potato Creek area. Largemouth bass: Good. Captain Inky Davis reports that the bite is starting to change, and instead of catching fish almost exclusively on soft plastics he is now starting to also catch fish on crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and tail spinners. Striped Bass: Fair to good. Captain Jim Glenn reports that striper appear to really be making a comeback, although most fish caught are still below the 26 inch limit for keepers.
Purchase a SC fishing license at: www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html
South Carolina freshwater recreational fishing regulations: (Pdf file): www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/freshfishing.pdf
The following information is provided courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports. DHEC Fish Consumption Advisories: www.scdhec.net/environment/water/fish.
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Black Bass: Good. Captain Pat Bennett reports that bass fishing has slowed down slightly on Lake Jocassee, with most of the fish up the rivers having already spawned but some main lake fish still prespawn or on the beds. Trout: Good. Captain Steve Pietrykowski reports that the best bite is found fishing 30-60 feet deep in the major rivers over 150-200 feet of water. Both spoons and live bait are producing good numbers of keeper sized fish.
Lake Keowee
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good. Captain Chris "Fishboy" Schuber reports that most bass are post spawn on Lake Keowee, and the shallow bite is very good. Nemire Lures Baby Buzzers, shakey head worms and shallow running crankbaits are all productive. Sammy topwater lures are also reportedly doing very well, and this is a good time for Carolina rigging.
Lake Hartwell
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that fish are scattered throughout the main lake and in the rivers, but the key is to fish off points in 25-35 feet of water. Down lines and free lines will both catch fish, and early in the morning some good catches can be had pulling up on a point and casting several rods out the back of the boat. Largemouth Bass: Good. Guide Brad Fowler reports that the spawn is winding down on Lake Hartwell, although some bedding fish can still be caught. The topwater bite is really improving, and some of the better fish are starting to be caught around spawning blueback herring near points and blow throughs in fairly shallow water. Catfish: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that channel catfishing is still good using night crawlers and cut herring on the bottom in 8-20 feet of water. Area of the lake is less important than finding that depth, and fish can be caught in the creeks, on flats and off the main lake. Crappie: Slow. Captain Bill Plumley reports the crappie bite remains tough, and the best fish are being caught before daylight under lights. For pre-dawn fishing set up over brush in 12-20 feet of water.
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Very good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that the spotted bass bite has slowed slightly on Lake Russell, and fish have moved a bit deeper. The best way to catch spots is to fish off rocky, main lake points in 8-12 feet of water with a Spot Remover and a green pumpkin or cotton candy finesse worm. At the same time the largemouth bass bite has gotten hot. Early in the day Zara Spooks are excellent and later in the day flukes on a jighead or a plain hook will both work. Crappie: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports the crappie spawn is over and fish are now ganged up over shallow brush. They are gathered in tight schools 8-10 feet deep, and won't move to the deep brush in 20-25 feet until later in the summer. While it's a great time to catch numbers of fish on 1/32 ounce jigs, it's an in between time for catching big crappie. Catfish: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that catfish are being caught on cut herring fished 2-3 feet below floats around riprap near bridges. Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that he has picked up a few isolated striper in the last week or two while bass fishing.
Lake Thurmond
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. The Clark's Hill Herring Hut reports that striped bass fishing on Clarks Hill is excellent. For striper fish mid-lake with cut bait on the bottom in 15-20 feet of water, and double anchor off shoal markers. For hybrids fish down lines 20 feet deep over most any depth. Crappie: Good. The Herring Hut reports that they are catching fish all over the lake in 15-25 feet of water over brushpiles. Using minnows anchor the boat right over the brushpiles and fish vertically, and fishing jigs troll plain jigs over the brush. Black bass: Good. Buckeye Lures in Augusta reports that the herring spawn is wide open on Clarks Hill. About any point on the lake has spawning herring on it right now, and the bass are right there with them. Gunfish, Super Flukes, Sammys and Spooks will all catch fish on top, and pulling a Carolina rig in the same areas will also put fish in the boat. Bream: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that at the top of Clarks Hill he is catching good numbers of shellcracker in 7-8 feet of water.
Lake Wylie
Largemouth Bass: Good to very good. FLW Professional and Lake Wylie Guide Matt Arey reports the spawn is mostly over and bass are generally in a post-spawn phase. Lots of fish are guarding fry, and many bass can be found around docks. The shad spawn bite is rapidly improving, especially early in the morning, and bass can be found feeding on shad spawning against hard structure such as rocks, rip rap, bridge pilings and floating docks. Even over deep water fish will be found within a couple of feet of the surface, and swimbait, spinnerbaits and topwater lures will all work. In the night tournaments swimming jigs have also been popular. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that big catfish fishing has been hit or miss lately on Wylie. Better results are coming fishing at the mouths of creeks – especially when the water is stained. Cut white perch remain a good bait, and look for night-time summer flathead fishing to get good soon. White perch: Fair. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that perch fishing remains hit or miss, and some days the fishing is hot while on other days they seem to disappear. Try anchoring on offshore humps and fish about 20 feet down with minnows and worms.
Midlands' area
Lake Greenwood
Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the bite has gotten a slight bit less consistent, but he continues to catch good numbers of channel catfish. Drifting shrimp or a variety of cut baits in 5-15 feet of water is working, and fish can be found shallower at times, too. White Perch: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the white perch are starting to ball up and the action is starting to really turn on. Fish shallow flats and the backs of creeks in 5 to 15 foot of water with Sabiki rigs baited with minnows or worms. Largemouth Bass: Fair to good. Fish are in a post-spawn pattern, and the most successful anglers are fishing offshore humps in 12-15 feet of water. The technique of choice seemed to be dragging a Carolina rig across the humps.
Lake Murray
Catfish: Good. Dooley's Sport Shop reports that the catfish bite on Murray is excellent. Fish cut herring at night anywhere that has water 3-8 feet deep – around docks, anchored boats, or off points. Striped Bass: Very good. Lake World reports that fish are taking cut bait and live bait fished on the bottom in 10-30 feet of water, and there is also occasional schooling action. Dooley's reports that early in the morning topwater action is good, down by the dam free lining live herring is productive, and trolling plugs and Road Runners in 15-20 feet of water will work. Crappie: Very good. Captain Brad Taylor reports that the bite has been very strong for both numbers and size of fish. Up the river Brad is trolling on channel ledges, and he is also catching some fish on brush piles in 10-15 feet of water using jigs and minnows. Bream: Good to very good. Dooley's reports that shellcracker are feeding very well in 2-6 feet of water around weed lines and off points. Baby nightcrawlers and red worms will both work. Largemouth Bass: Fair to good. Captain Doug Lown reports that the best tournament fish seem to be feeding on blueback herring around a few key points in the lower part of the lake, but that bite generally dies by mid-morning.
Lake Monticello
Catfish: Good to very good. Captain Chris Simpson reports that the big blues are starting to fire up for the pre-spawn feeding period, and the next month and a half will be one of the best times of the year to get a true monster out of Monticello. Anchoring on main lake points has produced the best results recently, and the depth range has varied from day to day. Most any big chunk of cut bait will work right now.
Lake Wateree
Crappie: Good. Will Hinson of the Southern Crappie Tournament Trail reports that that bite has started to improve a bit as the spawn is now over. Across the lake fish can be caught in 12-18 feet of water over brush piles, using minnows or jigs. Largemouth Bass: Good. Dearal Rodgers reports that usually fish would be moving deeper by this stage of the spring, but cooler than normal water temperatures have the fish about 2-3 weeks behind. This means that plenty of fish are on the banks right now, and soft plastics and floating worms are a very good way to target them.
Santee Cooper System
Catfish: Very good. Captain Jim Glenn reports that the blue catfish bite has slowed a little in both lakes, particularly for big fish, as fish begin to focus more on spawning than eating. They will still take drifted or anchored cut shad, herring and perch, but feeding is not their first priority. The best daytime blue catfish bite is coming in 15-30 feet of water, and the shallow daytime bite in both lakes has been weak. In the last 10 days the bite in the Diversion Canal has improved, particularly when water is being pulled, creating current. L'il N8s Bait and Tackle in Sumter reports that some nice flatheads have been caught in the upper lake at night. Crappie: Very good. Captain Steve English reports that the majority of the fish he is catching seem to have moved out to brush piles in 8-14 feet of water. Bream: Very good. L'il N8s Bait and Tackle in Sumter reports that bluegill and shellcracker are both feeding well in the Potato Creek area. Largemouth bass: Good. Captain Inky Davis reports that the bite is starting to change, and instead of catching fish almost exclusively on soft plastics he is now starting to also catch fish on crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and tail spinners. Striped Bass: Fair to good. Captain Jim Glenn reports that striper appear to really be making a comeback, although most fish caught are still below the 26 inch limit for keepers.
Purchase a SC fishing license at: www.dnr.sc.gov/purchase.html
South Carolina freshwater recreational fishing regulations: (Pdf file): www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/pdf/freshfishing.pdf