Get Your Lines Ready for a Fun-filled Week!
Santee Cooper is serving up a mixed bag of fishing conditions this week, so get ready to grab your gear! We kick the week off with rainy weather leading to a much cooler start, but things are looking up mid-week with rising temperatures and better clarity. Expect to target bass and crappie with solid action as they feed actively. Best of all, it’s a great time to explore the waters with friendly sun during the latter half of the week. Mark your calendars, and let’s get fishing!
Santee Cooper Weather Report: Jan 18 – 25
Sunday, January 18:
Daytime: Rain before 8am, then rain and patchy fog between 8am and 3pm, then patchy fog and a slight chance of rain between 3pm and 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 45. Northwest wind around 6 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25. West wind around 3 mph.
On the Water: Water temp 42°F. Water conditions rough with clarity at 1 foot. Sunrise 7:30 AM, sunset 5:55 PM.
Monday, January 19:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 49. West wind around 6 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. Northwest wind around 3 mph.
On the Water: Water temp 44°F. Water conditions calm with clarity at 2 feet. Sunrise 7:29 AM, sunset 5:56 PM.
Tuesday, January 20:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 46. North wind around 3 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.
On the Water: Water temp 43°F. Water conditions calm with clarity at 2.5 feet. Sunrise 7:28 AM, sunset 5:57 PM.
Wednesday, January 21:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 51.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 33.
On the Water: Water temp 45°F. Water conditions calm with clarity at 3 feet. Sunrise 7:27 AM, sunset 5:58 PM.
Thursday, January 22:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain between 7am and 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 29.
On the Water: Water temp 47°F. Water conditions becoming slightly choppy with clarity at 2.5 feet. Sunrise 7:26 AM, sunset 5:59 PM.
Friday, January 23:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 57.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 38.
On the Water: Water temp 48°F. Water conditions calm with clarity at 3 feet. Sunrise 7:25 AM, sunset 6:00 PM.
Saturday, January 24:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain after 7am. Partly sunny, with a high near 66.
Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 44.
On the Water: Water temp 50°F. Water conditions calm with clarity at 4 feet. Sunrise 7:24 AM, sunset 6:01 PM.
Target Species Spotlight for the Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for Largemouth Bass in 5-10 feet of water over rocky bottoms using a spinnerbait. A steady retrieve with a slow roll action should encourage a strike at mid-depths.
Black Crappie
Target Black Crappie in 8-12 feet of water over submerged brush using a jig and float. A slow jigging motion with a twitch action will attract bites near structure.
Channel Catfish
Look for Channel Catfish in deeper waters around 15-20 feet, over muddy bottoms using cut bait. A slow drift with a bottom baiting technique is ideal for enticing these fish.
Best Times to Fish This Week
Largemouth Bass
Due to warming weather trends and rising water temps, Largemouth Bass will be actively feeding during the early afternoon. Best times are from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
Black Crappie
With clear conditions improving, Black Crappie will be sheltered in structure throughout the morning. Fish them optimally between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM.
Channel Catfish
As conditions become favorable, Channel Catfish will start active feeding in the evening. Target this species between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM.