Casting Lines in Calm Waters
Welcome to another week of fishing fun at the Santee Cooper lake system! From January 4 to 11, the weather promises pleasant conditions with warming temperatures. Fish are getting active, making it a fine time to target species like largemouth bass and blue catfish. Plan your days around the midday sun, as that’s when the action will be most intense. So grab your gear and let’s hit the water!
Weather and Water Conditions for the Week Ahead
Sunday, January 04:
Daytime: Patchy fog between 8am and 9am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 57. Northeast wind around 2 mph.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38. East wind around 1 mph.
On the Water: Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet. Sunrise 7:24 AM, sunset 5:33 PM.
Monday, January 05:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 64. Southeast wind around 2 mph.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. Southwest wind around 1 mph.
On the Water: Water conditions remain calm with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 7:24 AM, sunset 5:34 PM.
Tuesday, January 06:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69. Southwest wind 1 to 6 mph.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
On the Water: Water remains calm with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 7:24 AM, sunset 5:35 PM.
Wednesday, January 07:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50.
On the Water: Water conditions are calm with a clarity of 8 feet. Sunrise 7:24 AM, sunset 5:36 PM.
Thursday, January 08:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 73.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 53.
On the Water: Water conditions calm with a clarity of 8 feet. Sunrise 7:23 AM, sunset 5:37 PM.
Friday, January 09:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 75.
Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
On the Water: Water conditions slightly choppy with a clarity of 7 feet. Sunrise 7:23 AM, sunset 5:38 PM.
Saturday, January 10:
Daytime: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 43.
On the Water: Water conditions slightly rough with a clarity of 6 feet. Sunrise 7:23 AM, sunset 5:39 PM.
Best Species to Target this Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-10 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a jig. A slow retrieve with a hopping action should encourage a strike at this depth.
Blue Catfish
Blue catfish are best found in 15-20 feet over a mucky bottom, baiting with cut shad. A steady reel with a downward sweep action will attract these predators in mid-depth waters.
Black Crappie
Target black crappie in 2-5 feet near submerged structures using small jigs. A twitching retrieve will entice these fish to bite.
Best Times to be on the Water this Week
Largemouth Bass
Due to warming trends and increased clarity, largemouth bass will be feeding actively in the late morning. Between 10 AM and 12 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
Given the stable water conditions, blue catfish will be moving during the afternoons. The best time to target them will be between 1 PM and 3 PM.
Black Crappie
With warmer days ahead, black crappie will be active in the shallow waters during early evening hours. Target them from 5 PM to sunset for the best chance of catching.