Fishing Fun Awaits: Your Weekly Overview
Get ready, anglers! This week on the Santee Cooper lake system has a mix of chilly temperatures and some definitely rainy spells. After a flashy start with highs near 63, the week rounds out with a cooler air pushing in leading to more rain later in the week. Water conditions will trend from calm and clear to a bit choppier as rainfall sets in. Target species like largemouth bass, blue catfish, and black crappie are on the prowl, moving around through various depths. The prime fishing times are round the mid-day sun or at twilight when the fish are likely to be more active. Don your rain gear and pack your best lures!
Get Ready for a Mixed Bag: Your Weather Breakdown
Sunday, Nov 30:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 63. Northwest wind around 2 mph.
Night: A slight chance of rain between 9pm and 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 43. North wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
On the Water: Water temp: 59°F. Water conditions are calm and clear with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 7:02 AM, sunset 5:10 PM.
Monday, Dec 01:
Daytime: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 54. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph.
Night: Rain between 7pm and 4am, then rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 43. Northeast wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp: 55°F. Water conditions are starting to get rough with a clarity of 4 feet.
Tuesday, Dec 02:
Daytime: Rain and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 59. Northwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.
Night: A chance of rain before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 33. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp: 54°F, rough conditions with a clarity of 3 feet.
Wednesday, Dec 03:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 52.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 32.
On the Water: Water temp: 52°F. Calmer conditions with a clarity of 5 feet.
Thursday, Dec 04:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 58.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
On the Water: Water temp: 54°F. Conditions remain calm with a clarity of 5 feet.
Friday, Dec 05:
Daytime: A chance of rain after 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 47. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a low around 38. Chance of precipitation is 70%
On the Water: Water temp: 52°F. Getting rougher conditions with a clarity of 3 feet.
Saturday, Dec 06:
Daytime: Rain likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 70%
Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 41.
On the Water: Water temp: 53°F, rough conditions with a clarity of 3 feet.
Prime Targets: Best Species to Reel In This Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 4-12 feet of water over a weedy and structure-rich bottom using a jerkbait. A slow retrieve with twitching action should encourage a strike at mid-depth.
Blue Catfish
Target blue catfish this week down around 20 feet in slow-moving waters over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A steady retrieve with a slow sink should provoke a hit.
Black Crappie
Catch black crappie this week in 10-15 feet using small jigs around submerged structures. A bobbing retrieval with quick pops will work well to attract attention in the shallows.
Catch of the Day: Optimal Times to Hit the Water
Largemouth Bass
Due to milder early week conditions and a cooling trend, largemouth bass will be more active during early afternoon. 11 AM – 2 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
As conditions fluctuate and with continued activity from the rain, blue catfish will be feeding at dusk. 5 PM – 8 PM will be the best time to fish for them.
Black Crappie
Given cloudy weather, black crappie will be more active during the late morning. 10 AM – 1 PM will be the best time to target this species.