Get ready for a week of fishing fun on Santee Cooper!
Hey there, fishing enthusiasts! This week on the Santee Cooper lake system, expect a mix of weather that brings both challenges and opportunities for anglers. With temperatures steadily warming and a chance of rain early in the week, fish are likely to be active. Target species like largemouth bass and catfish are feeding, especially during the prime times when the weather calms down. So grab your gear, because it’s going to be a great week on the water!
Weather and Water Conditions: A Mixed Bag of Sunshine and Showers
Sunday, March 16:
Daytime: Cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind around 16 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 10am, then showers and thunderstorms between 10am and 4pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 76. South wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp will likely be rising. Water conditions will be rough and cloudy with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 7:07 AM, sunset 7:24 PM.
Monday, March 17:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 4am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 51. Southwest wind 5 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Night: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water conditions improving to slightly choppy with a clarity of 2.5 feet. Sunrise 7:06 AM, sunset 7:25 PM.
Tuesday, March 18:
Daytime: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Northwest wind 0 to 12 mph.
Night: Sunny, with a high near 70.
On the Water: Water conditions calm with a clarity of 3 feet. Sunrise 7:05 AM, sunset 7:26 PM.
Wednesday, March 19:
Daytime: Clear, with a low around 43.
Night: Sunny, with a high near 78.
On the Water: Water conditions remain calm with a clarity of 3 feet. Sunrise 7:04 AM, sunset 7:27 PM.
Thursday, March 20:
Daytime: Partly cloudy, with a low around 51.
Night: A chance of rain showers after 8am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
On the Water: Water conditions slightly choppy with a clarity of 2.5 feet. Sunrise 7:03 AM, sunset 7:28 PM.
Friday, March 21:
Daytime: A chance of rain showers before 8pm. Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: Sunny, with a high near 65.
On the Water: Water conditions still choppy with a clarity of 2 feet. Sunrise 7:01 AM, sunset 7:29 PM.
Saturday, March 22:
Daytime: Mostly clear, with a low around 40.
Night: A slight chance of rain showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 72.
On the Water: Water conditions improving to calm with a clarity of 2.5 feet. Sunrise 7:00 AM, sunset 7:30 PM.
Best Species to Target This Week: Get Ready for Action!
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-10 feet of water over a rocky bottom using a plastic worm. A slow retrieve with a twitching action should encourage a strike at the depths.
Catfish
Target catfish in 10-15 feet of water over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A steady retrieve with a bottom-dragging action should entice them to bite.
Crappie
Look for crappie in 2-5 feet of water near submerged structures using small jigs. A fast retrieve with a darting action should attract them.
Best Times to Be on the Water This Week: Timing is Everything!
Largemouth Bass
Due to improving weather conditions and warming water, largemouth bass will be actively feeding in the early morning. 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Catfish
With stable water temperatures and good feeding conditions, catfish will be more active during the late evening. 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM is the best time to catch them.
Crappie
Given the clear water and sunny conditions, crappie will be feeding in the shallows. Late morning, around 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, is the perfect time to target them.