Get Hooked on Santee Cooper Fishing This Week!
This week on Santee Cooper is a rollercoaster ride of weather and fishing opportunities! With highs averaging around 41°F and chilly lows at about 18°F, expect a mix of clouds, sun, and a bit of rain. The variable conditions might actually encourage a good bite from largemouth bass, blue catfish, and black crappie, as the fish adjust to the changing water temperatures. Best fishing times will land around the mid-afternoon and evening as the water slightly warms up. Whether you’re targeting the shallows or fishing the structures, success is in the cards, so get your gear ready and enjoy Santee’s serene waters this week!
Weather and Water Conditions: A Week of Ups and Downs!
Sunday, January 25:
Daytime: A chance of freezing rain before 11 AM, then a chance of rain. Cloudy, with a high near 41. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. Little or no ice accumulation expected.
Night: A chance of rain before 7 PM, then rain and patchy fog and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 39. Southwest wind 3 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp around 39°F. Water conditions choppy due to wind with reduced clarity of around 2 feet. Sunrise at 7:22 AM, sunset at 5:56 PM.
Monday, January 26:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. Northwest wind 8 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 18. Northwest wind 2 to 6 mph.
On the Water: Water temp rising to about 42°F. Conditions are calm with clarity improving to about 4 feet. Sunrise at 7:21 AM, sunset at 5:57 PM.
Tuesday, January 27:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 43. West wind 2 to 6 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 22.
On the Water: Water temp steady at 42°F. Calm conditions continue, clarity holding at 4 feet. Sunrise at 7:20 AM, sunset at 5:58 PM.
Wednesday, January 28:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 45.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.
On the Water: Water temp warming to around 43°F. Lake conditions are calm with good clarity at 5 feet. Sunrise at 7:19 AM, sunset at 5:59 PM.
Thursday, January 29:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 41.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 19.
On the Water: Water temp stable around 43°F. Water conditions are generally calm with clarity clear at 5 feet. Sunrise at 7:18 AM, sunset at 6:00 PM.
Friday, January 30:
Daytime: Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.
Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21.
On the Water: Water temp steady at 43°F. Calm conditions continue, clarity remaining at 5 feet. Sunrise at 7:17 AM, sunset at 6:01 PM.
Saturday, January 31:
Daytime: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22.
On the Water: Water temp still at 43°F. Water is calm with clarity at 5 feet. Sunrise at 7:17 AM, sunset at 6:02 PM.
Best Species to Target This Week: The Top Picks!
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-10 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a plastic worm or crankbait. A slow retrieve with a twitching action should encourage a strike.
Blue Catfish
Blue catfish will be found in deeper depths of 15-25 feet, especially around submerged structures. Use fresh cut bait or live bait. A slow rolling retrieve will give you good results.
Black Crappie
Target black crappie this week in 3-5 feet of water near submerged timber using small jigs or minnow presentations. A steady retrieve with a stop-and-go action will attract bites.
Best Times to be on the Water This Week: Catch Them While They’re Hungry!
Largemouth Bass
Due to the warming air temperatures and improving water conditions, largemouth bass will be actively feeding in the early afternoon. 1 PM to 3 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
With stable water temperatures and decent feeding activity, blue catfish are likely to be feeding during dusk. The best time to fish for them will be between 5 PM and 7 PM.
Black Crappie
Black crappie will be feeding actively in the mid-morning due to stable weather conditions. Target them from 9 AM to 11 AM for best results.