Fishing Report (Updated 2.4.2010)

Water levels in both Santee Cooper lakes are less than a foot below full pool.  

Catfish: Fair to good.   Captain Jim Glenn (843-825-4239) reports that the blue catfish bite remains fairly erratic.   In both lakes fish can be caught in deep water around schools of bait.  Baitfish are also schooled up in water 25 to 35 ft deep, with catfish 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 (803-478-6880) in Sumter reports that threadfin shad are gathered in deep water and catfish are 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 (803-478-7289) reports that fishing in the cypress trees above the I-95 Bridge he has caught a few nice fish by fishing a Zoom plastic worm very slowly in five feet of water.  Fish will stay shallow even in the cold as long as there is oxygen and bait.

Crappie: No reports.  Captain Steve English (843-753-2271) reports that almost no one is targeting crappie on the Santee Cooper lakes right now, but if we get three 65 degree days in a row the fish will start staging in creeks runs in 8-10 feet of water and preparing to move shallow.  Usually the Eutawville area is the first to report action. 

Bream: No reports. Captain David Hilton reports that bream have gone very deep and will be lethargic for the next month or two. 

DHEC fish advisories: Largemouth bass and bowfin (mudfish) should only be eaten once per week.        

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