Dive into a Week of Sunny Skies and Fishy Tales!
Get ready for a sunny week on the Santee Cooper lakes! From July 20 to 27, expect warm temperatures with highs reaching 98°F, perfect for a day on the water. With a mix of clear and partly cloudy skies, the fishing action is heating up! Target species such as largemouth bass and catfish are actively feeding, especially in the early mornings and late evenings. Water conditions are generally calm, with clarity improving as the week goes on. The moon phase is favorably positioned this week, so grab your gear and get ready for some great fishing adventures!
Your Weekly Weather and Water Conditions Forecast
Sunday, July 20:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 103. West wind 5 to 8 mph.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 77. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind 2 to 7 mph.
On the Water: Water temp rising. Water conditions calm with a clarity of 4 feet. Sunrise 6:05 AM, sunset 8:34 PM.
Monday, July 21:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. West wind around 3 mph.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 76. Heat index values as high as 102. West wind around 2 mph.
On the Water: Water conditions remain calm with a clarity of 3.5 feet.
Tuesday, July 22:
Daytime: A chance of rain showers between 8am and 11am, then showers and thunderstorms between 11am and 5pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 90. Northeast wind 2 to 6 mph.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
On the Water: Water conditions slightly choppy with a clarity of 3 feet.
Wednesday, July 23:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers between 8am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 71. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
On the Water: Water conditions calming with a clarity of 3.5 feet.
Thursday, July 24:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 72. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
On the Water: Water conditions staying calm with a clarity of 4 feet.
Friday, July 25:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
On the Water: Water conditions calm with a clarity of 4.5 feet.
Saturday, July 26:
Daytime: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 95.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76.
On the Water: Water conditions calm with a clarity of 5 feet.
Best Species to Target This Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-10 feet of water over a grassy and rocky bottom using a spinnerbait. A slow retrieve with a steady action should encourage a strike at the shallows.
Blue Catfish
Target blue catfish this week in 10-15 feet of water over muddy bottoms using cut bait. A slow drag with a slight pause will entice bites while they feed actively.
Black Crappie
Fish for black crappie this week in 6-8 feet of water over structure using jigs. A vertical jigging action will be most effective around submerged trees.
Best Times to Be on the Water This Week
Largemouth Bass
Due to improving weather and water conditions, largemouth bass will be feeding actively in the early morning and late evening. 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
With the weather trending warmer and water clarity improving, blue catfish will be active during the mid-morning and late afternoon hours. 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM is the best time to target this species.
Black Crappie
Given the current weather trends, black crappie will be sheltering around structures during the day. 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM will be the best time to fish for them.