Courtesy of www.SCFishingReport.com
Saltwater Report
Beaufort
Spottail Bass: Very good. Tailing action was hot on the big tides last week, particularly on evenings where the wind laid down. Look for good tailing action on the next set of big tides in a week or so.
Trout: Good. Fish the last two hours of the dropping tide as baitfish are pulled out of creeks and over oyster beds.
Flounder: Fair. Flounder fishing has dropped off a bit as the water has gotten very warm. Fish Carolina rigged finger mullet or live mud minnows on the bottom around inlets and creek mouths.
Ladyfish: Very good. Ladyfish are feeding voraciously on the big schools of menhaden in the Broad River. Throw Spanish mackerel-style jigs and plugs, or fish live bait.
Tarpon: Fair. Big tarpon have arrived in the Coosaw River/ St. Helena Sound, Trenchard's Inlet, and Broad River/ Port Royal Sound. Fish large live mullet on the bottom and around sandbars - high tide may be the best time to target them. Tarpon action never really gets fast in South Carolina, but fish are definitely around to be caught.
Paradise Pier: Slow. A few decent whiting have been caught as well as black tip sharks and stingrays. Sheepshead are also available around high tide when the water is slackest. Perhaps because of the drought blue crabs are almost non-existent having headed for less salty water up the rivers.
Offshore: Black sea bass, which must be 12 inches to keep, are biting fairly well close in around 15 miles offshore but lots of short fish are still being caught. Some big grouper are being hooked. Spanish mackerel are running well and kings are doing pretty well - remember that kings need to be 24 inches to keep. Kings are not too far offshore right now - target structure and fish the outer reaches of the Port Royal Sound. Sailfish are around in good numbers and fairly close in.
Hilton Head
Spottail Bass: Very good. First thing in the morning redfish are hitting topwater; when the sun is higher fish deeper with Gulp Shrimp. Tailing action is strong around high tide and will continue all summer. On the incoming tide fish the edges of the grass with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones. Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows or mud minnows.
Trout: Good to very good. Early morning topwater action is very good, and some big trout are being caught on lures like Spooks. Good fishing is coming under docks or on the outgoing tide where feeder creeks are emptying into bigger water. Shrimp and mud minnows fished under Cajun Thunder rattling bobbers, or Gulp grubs, are producing.
Flounder: Good. Flounder fishing has improved slightly, and anglers are catching flounder using traditional flounder rigs with a bobber to float the mud minnows off the bottom. Best fishing is around low tide in the same areas as the spottails and trout, or in the mouths of creeks and inlets.
Tarpon: Read about tarpon fishing in the Beaufort report.
Offshore: High fuel prices and windy conditions have slowed offshore fishing. Nearshore Spanish mackerel, bluefish and jack crevalle are being caught just outside the Port Royal Sound and at the Gaskins and Whitewater reefs. For more offshore information read the Beaufort report.
Little River
Flounder: Very good. Even though the water is starting to get very warm flounder continue to be caught in Cherry Grove and 53rd area creeks using mud minnows. Flounder are also being taken at the Little River jetties.
Spottail bass: Very good. Fish Clark Spoons or other heavy, fast dropping lures deep against the rocks at the jetties for big red drum. Fish can be caught on most any tide - the key is getting the spoons deep. Cut mullet or menhaden weighted down may also work.
Sheepshead and black drum: Excellent. The sheepshead bite has gotten hot. Sand fleas and fiddler crabs are both very productive around the jetties and any inshore pilings.
Spanish mackerel: Very good. Big Spanish mackerel are being caught near the jetties. Look for feeding birds and motor slowly towards the fish; throw Gotcha Plugs, Hopkins Spoons, or anything else with a treble hook to land fish.
Offshore: Wahoo and king mackerel are both being caught when boats can get offshore. The dolphin bite has really slowed.
Cherry Grove Pier: Whiting up to half a pound and black drum up to three pounds are both being caught on cut pieces of shrimp. A few small sheepshead are also being reported caught, and occasional 16 inch flounder are being landed.
Grand Strand
Water temperatures have gotten very warm.
Spottail Bass: Good. Slot sized spottails are being taken at the south end of Murrells Inlet in the backwaters and creeks as well as by flounder fishermen drifting or trolling the main inlet. Mud minnows, live or cut mullet, and cut shrimp are all producing. Large drum continue to be caught at the jetties; fish the incoming tide right after the tide turns against the North Jetty walls.
Trout: Sporadic. Occasional reports continue to come in of some very large trout being caught at the jetties, but these are few and far between. Use live shrimp, finger mullet, or mud minnows or fish Gulp.
Flounder: Slow. With the very hot water flounder catching has slowed to almost non-existent. Some anglers continue to troll Murrells Inlet, but few fish are being landed.
Sheepshead: Excellent. Large numbers of sheepshead are being caught at the Murrells Inlet jetty, but the bite is even hotter down at the Georgetown jetties. Fiddler crabs and live or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig fished vertically are producing. Perry's Bait and Tackle reports that sheepshead sell as fast as they can catch them.
Surf report: Snapper bluefish are prolific as well as good numbers of whiting. Pompano are also around in good numbers - August and September are traditionally the best months for sheepshead in the area. Large, 5 to 7 pound Spanish mackerel are abundant in the surf.
Springmaid Pier: Some good sized flounder have been caught, as well as fair numbers of pinfish and spots. Ribbonfish have been prolific, and no kings have been caught recently.
Second Avenue Pier: Flounder action is pretty hot; 15 or so are being caught each day, up to 3 or 4 pounds. A few black drum are being caught as well as some Spanish by jig fishermen. Pinfish, whiting, and croaker are also around.
Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: Occasional flounder are being caught, as well as whiting, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel.
Apache Pier: Fishing has slowed, but some summer trout and flounder are being caught as well as occasional pompano. A 30.8 pound king mackerel was landed a couple of weeks ago.
Surfside Pier: Fishing remains off, and only sharks, stingrays, and sea robins are being caught in good numbers.
Garden City Pier: Whiting and pinfish are being caught in decent numbers, and lots of small bluefish in the 11 to 13 inch size are being landed. A few pompano are being landed and some Spanish are also being jigged up. No king mackerel have been caught recently.
Offshore: Offshore fishing has slowed down, but some grouper are being reported caught at the wrecks and reefs. The hottest bite is big king mackerel - a 35 pounder was recently caught trolling a reef 15 miles out, and lots more approaching that size are also being taken.
Cape Romain/ McClellanville
Spottail Bass: Good. Captain Gallager reports that fishing has been good early in the morning in the Cape Romain area, with plenty of small fish in the 5 pound range and several around 10 pounds caught on topwater plugs or flies in the last week. His best morning was 11 fish, and slowest day was 3.
Charleston
Inshore creeks and rivers are full of bait.
Spottail Bass: Very good. Haddrell's Point reports that redfish are scattered across all of the lowcountry estuaries, and anglers continue to have best luck fishing under docks with deep holes and plenty of shade. These fish are being caught on live or cut bait, Gulp, or Rattle Traps. Fishing in the flats is also strong, and spottails are in schools of 5 to 30 fish and being caught on flukes fished on flutter hooks. Bull drum are also schooled up in the harbor, and fish up to 40 pounds or more can be caught on bottom rigs with cut bait. The same method also works at the jetties.
Trout: Very good. Early and late in the day topwater action is hot for spotted sea trout. Use topwater lures like Zara Spooks and "walk the dog" around oyster shells and feeder creeks on moving tides. Strong action is also coming fishing shrimp, minnows, or artificial shrimp under a popping cork at high tide. Good action is also coming fishing around points with oyster beds on tides where bait is being pulled in or pushed out; trout will ambush prey from the back side of these points.
Flounder: Good. Flounder fishing continues to improve over the last few weeks, and best results are coming fishing around the edges of rock piles and creek mouths. Fish live finger mullet or mud minnows on a Carolina rig.
Sheepshead: Very good. Most any structure, from nearshore wrecks to the jetties to inshore piers and bridges, is holding hungry sheepshead right now. Fish fiddler crabs, clam pieces, or cut shrimp.
Tarpon: Good. Decent numbers of tarpon are still hanging around the inlets and jetties, and shark fishermen report picking some up accidentally. Fish large live mullet or menhaden in 6 to 15 foot deep slews between the sandbars on the outside of most any Charleston area inlet.
Spanish mackerel: Good. Nice catches of Spanish mackerel continue to be made in the Harbor. Fish Gotcha plugs or spoons.
Folly Beach Pier: A mixed bag continues to be caught at the pier, including whiting, bluefish, trout, Spanish mackerel, red drum, and sheepshead. Anglers are not having hot action on any one species, but action is pretty consistent for something.
Offshore: Grouper and snapper action is good using butterfly jigs and cigar minnows in 85 to 150 feet of water. King mackerel fishing is hot from the shipping channel out to 120 feet of water. Snakes are abundant in 60 to 90 feet; troll sea witches with small ballyhoo, drone spoons, and diving plugs to ensure plenty of action. Dolphin fishing has generally slowed, but Ryan Riggs landed a new state record dolphin weighing 77.5 pounds and measuring 65 inches aboard the "Daymaker" on July 24 while fishing the Governor's Cup out of Bohicket Marina. He caught the fish just inshore of the 226 hole trolling a naked ballyhoo rig on a circle hook. A few wahoo continue to be caught in 130 to 180 feet. The hottest bite continues to be billfish and particularly sailfish. Sailfish are balling bait in 250 to 300 feet of water, and boats heading deep are getting 5 to 10 shots a day at them. Blue marlin are being sighted less frequently, but several boats have released them in the last few days.
Edisto Island
Spottail Bass: Good. Anglers are catching spottails in all of the area creeks and rivers using live mud minnows or finger mullet. The stage of tide does not seem to matter as much as time of day - the best bite is early.
Trout: Good. Trout fishing has cooled of a little bit, but mud minnows, live shrimp fished under a cork and Gulp are all producing in the creeks.
Surf Report: Whiting and sharks are both prolific in the surf. Fish cut shrimp on a 2 hook bottom rig for whiting.
Offshore: Offshore fishing has really cooled off. A few dolphin and wahoo are being brought into Edisto Marina, and occasional sailfish are still being tagged.
Freshwater Report
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Lake Jocassee is at 73% of full pool.
Trout: Very good. Very nice catches of large rainbow trout are being reported trolling in 70 - 90 feet of water using trolling spoons or large plugs; also pull large live shiners in the same zone. Fishing early and late is best. Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success.
Black Bass: Good. Early morning the best action is coming on topwater lures until the sun gets high around 9 or 10 AM. By 10:00 move out to deeper water and throw soft plastics along 10 - 15 foot drop offs on main and secondary points. Areas that have rocks and some wood seem to be most productive, and the hot lure remains dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom trick worms. A mixed bag seems to be available, but fish are mainly grouped by species (largemouth, smallmouth, and red eyes).
Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee remains at 96% of full pool.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Very good. Early in the morning when the baitfish are moving Lake Fork swimbaits fished in 10 to 25 feet of water in the backs of coves have been productive for spotted bass in the upper part of the lake - magic shad and albino colors have been most effective. Carolina rigged worms fished around islands and points in 25 to 45 feet in watermelon seed and pumpkin seed colors have been working later in the day. Anglers report schooling action in the morning in the Cane Creek area.
Crappie: Fair. Crappie have moved out to deep water but night fishermen are doing well off and on by fishing up against bridge pilings with a light to attract bait and crappie.
Bream: Very good. Bluegill are clearly visible along the banks. Fish crickets in 3 to 15 feet of water.
Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell has dropped another foot and is now over 12 feet below full pool at 648.
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Very good. Action is hot early and late on the east side of Andersonville Island. Try out lead core line and lures such as Cisco Kids and other similar ones. Also, look for fish stacked up near channels and other 40 - 65 foot deep areas.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Early and late there is still good topwater action off shoals and points. As the sun gets higher switch to shaky head worms and Carolina rigs in 25 to 30 feet of water off the end of points and along river channels. Deep running crankbaits may also be effective, and deep, shaded boat docks are productive.
Bream: Very good. Bream are in very shallow water and are feeding aggressively - The Fishing Hole reports that cricket sales have been very strong.
Chattooga River
Trout: Stockies may be available at the Burrells Ford bridge, but for wild brown trout head north of the bridge and to the Big Bend area. Try to get as far away from public roads as possible and fish early, late, or at night with a top water popper, muddler minnow, or dark gurgler.
Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
At 472 feet Lake Russell is slightly down from last week but still much closer to full than the other Savannah River chain lakes.
Striped Bass: Fair to good. Striper action is hit or miss, and some days people are really catching them while other days they may come up empty-handed. Fish in 20-35 feet over main lake humps or around long, deep points.
Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Fair. Most anglers fishing for bass are fishing at night with dark plastics worms.
Crappie: Fair. There are reports of decent numbers of crappie being caught trolling up Beaverdam Creek in the late evening and around structure under lights at night.
Lake Thurmond
Lake Thurmond has dropped more to 317, over 12 feet below full pool, and water temperatures are relatively cool for this time of year at 81-83 degrees.
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Water temperatures in the upper 80s mean that the lake is stratifying, and striper can be tough to locate. Best action is coming when the fish are moving to the top and feeding on large schools of threadfin shad - throw bucktails or rattle traps. Captain Dave Willard reports that fish don't stay up long, and can be hard to locate, but if you can find them and stay ahead of the schools of baitfish they can be very rewarding. When you can't locate fish on top use live herring in 30 to 60 feet of water around creek channels and drops.
Largemouth Bass: Good. Some largemouth bass are still shallow, and good numbers of 3 and 4 pound fish are being caught. Try Texas rigged worms or shad raps.
Crappie: Good. Crappie have moved back out to deeper water but can be caught around brush piles and bridges at night. Look for brush in 25 to 35 feet of water; minnows are producing better than jigs.
Bream: Fair. Fish in 2 to 10 feet of water with crickets or worms.
Savannah River
Shellcracker: Excellent. Huge shellcracker, with many around 3 pounds, are being caught routinely. The full moon should have them feeding even better for the next few days.
Eels: Excellent. The Herring Hut reports that enormous eels are being caught in the Savannah River. Locals say they taste like catfish.
Hybrid and Striped Bass: Good. When the gates are open and there is a strong current below the Lake Thurmond dam striped and hybrid bass are feeding well. When there is no water running it's not worth targeting them.
Lake Wylie
Lake Wylie is slightly down to 97% of full pool. Freshwater coming into the lake is giving it some color, and up the lake there is even muddy water.
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Overall fishing is tough, but some patterns are working. Early in the morning anglers are targeting schooling bass feeding on shad first thing with topwater lures, and on cloudy days this bite can continue all day. After the sun comes up switch to vertical jigging with Hopkins spoons. At night bass can be found down to about 15 feet of water or more fishing dark worms around brush. Bigger bass are deeper.
White Perch: Very good. Results are in and Captain Rodger Taylor ("Catfish ON!" here) is co-holder of the state record for white perch with a 1 pound, 15.2 ounce fish caught in January 2007. Fish in 18-22 feet of water on drops next to river channels and look for sandy bottoms. Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly; crickets will also work.
Bream: Very good. In a very late spawn some fish are still bedding in shallow areas around the middle of coves; use crickets or worms and try to "smell out" the beds. Also fish shallow structure around the shoreline.
Catfish: Good. Catfishing is still good although boat traffic makes weekend fishing tough. Use mussels, shrimp, and stinkbaits. Fish are also being caught trolling with minnows using traditional crappie fishing methods. Night fishing is good in shallow water.
Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood
Lake Greenwood water levels have dropped a bit to 436 feet.
Largemouth Bass: From very early until 8:00 AM fish around blocks walls that have some depth - these may be hard to find with water levels a bit down. Use floating worms in bright colors like white, orange, yellow, or pink. Later in the day fishing is tougher and anglers are targeting ledges with Carolina rigs and finesse worms. At night fish dark plastic worms around piers or brush piles.
Striped Bass: Good. Some schooling activity has been reported but it is sparse and there doesn't seem to be a pattern for when the fish come up. Largemouth and white perch are mixed in with the schooling striper. Down around the dam some nice catches of striper are being made even on very hot days - fish early and late with live herring.
Crappie: No reports. Crappie have moved out over deep brush piles and are not being targeted by many fishermen.
Bream: Good. Bream have generally left the beds and moved out around docks and brush. Fish about four feet deep.
Catfish: Very good. Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms in 12 to 15 feet of water, and try fishing at night.
Lake Murray
Lake Murray is still very full at 357, and main lake water temperatures are around 86.
Striped Bass: Very good. Fish in 40 to 100 feet around open water humps or down by the towers. Best fishing is coming early and late, or at night. At night fish around the towers in 30 to 60 feet. Lots of small fish are being caught, but good ones too. Now is the time to experiment with lead core lines, downriggers, or fish down rods.
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Fish topwater lures very early and late for bigger fish, and during the day fish Carolina rigs or jigs around submerged rocks in 6 to 18 feet of water. Spot removers fished around rocks are also working. Some of the best fishing is coming at night; target lighted docks using oversized dark plastic worms.
Crappie: Poor. No one seems to be finding the crappie right now, except a few guides and other anglers who have favorite deep brushpiles.
Shellcracker: Excellent. Fish in 4 to 8 feet of water around points and shallow humps with baby nightcrawlers and red worms.
Bluegill: Good. Fish crickets and red worms anywhere from 8 down to 30 feet.
Catfish: Excellent. Fish cut bait and nightcrawlers in 3 to 20 feet.
Saluda River
Water levels remain very low and the river is barely a trickle.
Striped Bass: Fair. A few striper are being caught below Mill Race but the greatest number of fish can be found around the I-20 bridge. Anglers are fishing live trout or herring under a bobber.
Largemouth: Fair. In the cold water just below the dam largemouth are being caught. Fish crankbaits or Texas rigged worms.
Shellcracker: Good. Fish deep holes where you can't quite see the bottom for best results.
Congaree River
The river has gotten so low that very few people are still fishing it.
Catfish: Fair. There are reports of catfish being caught in holes along the Congaree. Fish cut bait or worms on the bottom.
Lake Wateree
Lake Wateree remains 98% full.
Largemouth Bass: Tough. Try deep humps or brushpiles with large, deep diving crankbaits like DD22s in chartreuse and green/ blue colors. Target the Colonel's Creek and Rochelle Creek areas.
Catfish: Very good. For numbers of fish target the lake flats using cut bait and gizzard shad. Creek mouths where the creeks meet the main river channel are great places to anchor up for bigger catfish. Early morning or night fishing trips are a good ideas for more comfortable fishing in the hot summer. Visit the Lake Wateree message board for more tips from Captain Taylor.
Bream: Very good. Bream are shallow and hungry, and with the full moon are spawning again. Fish 1 to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.
Lake Monticello
No reports.
Pee Dee Area
Water levels are low right now and threaten to get lower.
Great Pee Dee
Catfish: Excellent. Large numbers of catfish, and some very large fish, are being caught on the bottom in holes and around channel breaks. Fish live bream or live and cut eels - Irby Street Sporting Goods in Florence says they are selling tons of eels.
Lynches and Little Pee Dee River
Largemouth Bass: Very good. Bass are hot right now; fish floating worms and topwater lures.
Bream: Very good. When there is water bream fishing is very good. Large numbers of fish are not being caught, but some very nice redbreasts are being taken on worms and crickets. In the late evening anglers are catching fish on big popping bugs.
Santee Cooper System
Water levels continue to drop; if they go down another foot or more many landing will be in danger.
Lake Marion
Water levels are down to 72 feet.
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Largemouth bass fishing has slowed down with warmer temperatures, but some anglers are still getting into them. One angler out of Pack's Landing caught 14 bass last week. Some really large bass are still being caught, too; fish Texas rigged worms in slightly deeper areas.
Catfish: Good to very good. Lots of catfish are being caught both shallow and deep; start out in 6 - 12 feet of water. Fish stinkbaits or cut herring in the flats or the Red Bank area. Night fishing is strong with cut bait.
Crappie: Good. Crappie seem to have turned back on, and lots of fish are being caught in the lower part of the lake around stumps in 10 - 12 feet on live minnows.
Bream: Good. With the full moon bream are spawning again - fish in 2 - 10 feet with crickets or red wigglers.
Diversion Canal
Catfish: Very good. Big flathead catfish are being caught in the canal on days when water is being pulled through. Use cut or live herring, or live bream.
Bream: Fair. Shellcracker are being caught in the canal, but not in great numbers. Fish with nightcrawlers along drop-offs.
Lake Moultrie
Lake Moultrie water levels have dropped to 72 feet.
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Bass fishing has slowed down in the last week or two, and most of the fish seem to have headed to deep water. Try deep Carolina or Texas rigging.
Catfish: Very good. Fish in 8 to 10 feet using cut herring or stinkbaits for numbers of fish. For big catfish fish in 20 to 30 feet around deeper creek channels using cut or live herring, or other cut fish such as mullet.
Crappie: Fair. Crappie are in a summer pattern right now and only fishermen who have located deep brush piles are doing well. Look for structure in 20 to 25 feet of water and fish minnows vertically.
Bream and shellcracker: Good. The bluegill are shallow although low water conditions may make them difficult to locate in traditional areas. Most shellcracker have already backed off onto deeper water. Fish 1-5 feet for bluegills and 8 to 10 feet for shellcracker.
Coastal Rivers
Waccamaw River
The river has gotten so low that very few people are still fishing. Following is the most recent report Johnny's Bait and Tackle in Little River received when more people were still getting out on the river.
Largemouth bass: Very good. Bass are feeding very well and fishermen targeting them with Texas rigged plastic worms are having best success.
Crappie: Good. Fishermen in the Waccamaw are reporting nice catches of crappies. Use minnows around structure and current breaks.
Bream: Hot. Bream are shallow and feeding very aggressively - this is the peak time for bream fishing.
Catfish: Very good. Use large goldfish or shiners to target big catfish. Anglers are having success using set hooks and trotlines but the same baits will work rod and reel fishing.