Post by Steve Sutton on May 28, 2010 8:51:32 GMT -5
May 31, 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 pre-spawn or on the beds. For pre-spawn fish look around wood and blow downs, especially near points, and if you are fishing near the dam expect the best fishing on days when water is being pulled. For post-spawn bass, fishing main lake points with soft plastics is a good pattern. 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. Early in the morning fish can be caught at the intakes, and night fishing has been productive.
Lake Keowee
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good to very good. Captain Chris "Fishboy" Schuber reports that most bass are postspawn on Lake Keowee, and the shallow bite is very good. Chris has been catching fish in less than 10 feet of water off main lake points and in the backs of main lake pockets on the south end of the lake, and the topwater bite is starting to come on. 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. However, at least so far the herring are not as easy to find as usual. 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. Blue catfishing has slowed down as the blues have headed out to deeper water on the main lake and in the rivers. Flathead fishing is picking up, and Captain Bill is picking up some flatheads when he sets up off points early in the morning and casts several rods out for striper and hybrids. 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. There are two main patterns, with the first being fishing around riprap banks near bridges where bass are ganged up and feeding on spawning blueback herring. Early in the day Zara Spooks are excellent, and later in the day flukes on a jighead or a plain hook will both work. The other main pattern is fishing Texas rigged worms over visible timber, and particularly cedar trees, in 15-20 feet of water. Bass will be suspended about 4-5 feet down. 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. The larger fish are difficult to catch in the day, but they can be picked up at night with live minnows fished around lights. Bream: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that bream are bedding shallow, but finding good size fish is difficult. Fish worms on a split shot rig or under a cork. 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 shallow herring spawn is pretty much over. Small fish are hanging around the banks where they can be caught on soft plastics, but most of the better fish have moved offshore where they are suspending. Early there may be some topwater action. 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 that 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. On the first full moon in May look for bass to start feeding around spawning bream, which will remain a strong pattern throughout June. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that big catfish fishing has been hit or miss lately on Wylie. Drift fishing for channel cats up the creeks is not as good as should be at this time of year, and 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. Some white perch have also been caught in shallow water.
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 in the 2-6 pound range as well as some bigger fish in the 8-12 pound range. 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. Typically big feeder creeks are most productive at this time of year, but shallow main lake flats are also very good right now. 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. Some fish can also be caught off of docks.
Lake Murray
Catfish: Good. 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. Also some reports of early in the morning topwater action. 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. 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. Finding brush at that depth is more important than targeting a particular area of the lake. 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. At night the shallow bite is much better, and Jim is targeting fish in 3-4 feet of water. In the last 10 days the bite in the Diversion Canal has improved, particularly when water is being pulled, creating current. Daytime drifting in the canal is not especially productive, but some good fish have been caught anchored at night. Some anglers are doing very well for channel catfish right now using dip baits and stinkbaits, and this bite should stay strong through the summer. 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. Despite warm water temperatures, some of the biggest fish seem not to have spawned yet. 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. A few boats have also caught fish using large herring for bait.
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 pre-spawn or on the beds. For pre-spawn fish look around wood and blow downs, especially near points, and if you are fishing near the dam expect the best fishing on days when water is being pulled. For post-spawn bass, fishing main lake points with soft plastics is a good pattern. 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. Early in the morning fish can be caught at the intakes, and night fishing has been productive.
Lake Keowee
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good to very good. Captain Chris "Fishboy" Schuber reports that most bass are postspawn on Lake Keowee, and the shallow bite is very good. Chris has been catching fish in less than 10 feet of water off main lake points and in the backs of main lake pockets on the south end of the lake, and the topwater bite is starting to come on. 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. However, at least so far the herring are not as easy to find as usual. 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. Blue catfishing has slowed down as the blues have headed out to deeper water on the main lake and in the rivers. Flathead fishing is picking up, and Captain Bill is picking up some flatheads when he sets up off points early in the morning and casts several rods out for striper and hybrids. 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. There are two main patterns, with the first being fishing around riprap banks near bridges where bass are ganged up and feeding on spawning blueback herring. Early in the day Zara Spooks are excellent, and later in the day flukes on a jighead or a plain hook will both work. The other main pattern is fishing Texas rigged worms over visible timber, and particularly cedar trees, in 15-20 feet of water. Bass will be suspended about 4-5 feet down. 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. The larger fish are difficult to catch in the day, but they can be picked up at night with live minnows fished around lights. Bream: Good. Guide Wendell Wilson reports that bream are bedding shallow, but finding good size fish is difficult. Fish worms on a split shot rig or under a cork. 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 shallow herring spawn is pretty much over. Small fish are hanging around the banks where they can be caught on soft plastics, but most of the better fish have moved offshore where they are suspending. Early there may be some topwater action. 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 that 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. On the first full moon in May look for bass to start feeding around spawning bream, which will remain a strong pattern throughout June. Catfish: Fair to good. Captain Rodger Taylor reports that big catfish fishing has been hit or miss lately on Wylie. Drift fishing for channel cats up the creeks is not as good as should be at this time of year, and 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. Some white perch have also been caught in shallow water.
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 in the 2-6 pound range as well as some bigger fish in the 8-12 pound range. 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. Typically big feeder creeks are most productive at this time of year, but shallow main lake flats are also very good right now. 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. Some fish can also be caught off of docks.
Lake Murray
Catfish: Good. 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. Also some reports of early in the morning topwater action. 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. 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. Finding brush at that depth is more important than targeting a particular area of the lake. 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. At night the shallow bite is much better, and Jim is targeting fish in 3-4 feet of water. In the last 10 days the bite in the Diversion Canal has improved, particularly when water is being pulled, creating current. Daytime drifting in the canal is not especially productive, but some good fish have been caught anchored at night. Some anglers are doing very well for channel catfish right now using dip baits and stinkbaits, and this bite should stay strong through the summer. 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. Despite warm water temperatures, some of the biggest fish seem not to have spawned yet. 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. A few boats have also caught fish using large herring for bait.
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