Relaxed Retreat Weekly Fishing Report: Jul 05 – 12, 2026

Two of Relaxed Retreat at Carolina King's Lake Marion fishing piers at sunset.

Catch of the Day: Hot Fish and Cool Waters Await!

Welcome to another exciting week at Santee Cooper! From July 5 to 12, expect sizzling summer days with highs reaching up to 98°F, setting the stage for some serious fishing action. The waters are shaping up nicely, with clarity improving as we dive deeper into summer. Target species like largemouth bass and blue catfish will be actively feeding, making this week a prime time for anglers. Be ready for some rain showers, especially in the afternoons, but don’t let that deter you—great catches await in the early mornings and late evenings!

Weather and Water Conditions: Sizzling Days Ahead!

Sunday, July 5:

Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Sunny, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. Southwest wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 101. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.

Monday, July 6:

Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 107. Southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.

Tuesday, July 7:

Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 84°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:28 PM.

Wednesday, July 8:

Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
On the Water: Water temp 84°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:28 PM.

Thursday, July 9:

Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 96.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly clear, with a low around 77.
On the Water: Water temp 84°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:28 PM.

Friday, July 10:

Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 97.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.

Saturday, July 11:

Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 97. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75.
On the Water: Water temp 85°F. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.

Best Species to Target This Week: Hooked on Largemouths and More!

Largemouth Bass

Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-10 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a topwater frog. A slow retrieve with a popping action should encourage a strike at 5-10 feet.

Blue Catfish

Target blue catfish in deeper channels and ledges using cut bait. A steady retrieve with a bounce action can entice bites in 10-15 feet.

Black Crappie

Fish for black crappie in 8-12 feet of water near submerged structures using minnows. A slow jigging action works best to draw them in.

Redear (Shellcracker)

Go after redear in shallower waters around 4-6 feet using crickets. A slow, steady retrieve with a lift action will trigger bites.

Best Times to be on the Water This Week: Prime Time for Anglers!

Largemouth Bass

Due to warming trends and stable conditions, largemouth bass will be actively feeding in the early morning hours. 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.

Blue Catfish

With warm waters and nighttime activity, blue catfish will be most active during the evening. 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM will be the best time to fish for them.

Black Crappie

As the weather is stabilizing, black crappie will be feeding in the afternoons. 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM is the prime time to hook them.

Redear (Shellcracker)

Due to the favorable conditions, redear will be feeding actively in the late mornings. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM will be the best time to target them.

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