Get Ready for a Splash-tastic Week of Fishing Fun!
This week at Santee Cooper promises a mix of fishing excitement and challenging weather. With scattered showers and thunderstorms throughout the week, anglers can expect a vibrant bite from species like Largemouth Bass and Blue Catfish. Water conditions will fluctuate, but with the right tactics, you can reel in some impressive catches. Be prepared for both sunny breaks and rain showers, especially in the early morning and late evening—prime times for fishing!
Weather and Water Conditions for the Week
Sunday, May 24:
Daytime: Patchy fog and a slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of rain showers and patchy fog between 7am and 8am, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8am and 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 85. Southeast wind 0 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 76°F. Water conditions will be rough and cloudy with a clarity of 2 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:28 PM.
Monday, May 25:
Daytime: Rain showers likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 86. South wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 77°F. Water conditions will remain rough and cloudy with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:28 PM.
Tuesday, May 26:
Daytime: Rain showers likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. South wind 2 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp 78°F. Water conditions will be rough and cloudy with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.
Wednesday, May 27:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 8pm and 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
On the Water: Water temp 79°F. Water conditions will be rough with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.
Thursday, May 28:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
On the Water: Water temp 80°F. Water conditions will be calming with a clarity of 2 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.
Friday, May 29:
Daytime: A chance of rain showers before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
On the Water: Water temp 79°F. Water conditions will be calming with a clarity of 2.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.
Saturday, May 30:
Daytime: Rain showers likely before 2pm, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
On the Water: Water temp 78°F. Water conditions will be rough with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:29 PM.
Sunday, May 31:
Daytime: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 60.
On the Water: Water temp 78°F. Water conditions will be rough with a clarity of 1.5 feet. Sunrise 6:12 AM, sunset 8:30 PM.
Best Species to Target This Week
Largemouth Bass
Fish for Largemouth Bass this week in 5 to 10 feet of water over a mix of rocky and vegetative bottom using a spinnerbait. A slow retrieve with a steady action should encourage a strike at 5 to 10 feet.
Blue Catfish
Target Blue Catfish this week in 15 to 25 feet of water over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A moderate retrieve with a jigging action should entice a bite at 15 to 25 feet.
Black Crappie
Fish for Black Crappie this week in 8 to 12 feet of water over submerged timber using jigs. A slow and erratic retrieve should trigger a strike at 8 to 12 feet.
Best Times to Be on the Water This Week
Largemouth Bass
Due to the mixed weather conditions and rising water temperatures, Largemouth Bass will be actively feeding in the early morning hours. The best time to target this species will be from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
Blue Catfish
With the warming temperatures and cloudy conditions, Blue Catfish will be more active during the night. Aim for 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM for the best results.
Black Crappie
Given the cloudy weather and warming water, Black Crappie will be feeding during the late afternoon. The optimal time to fish for them will be between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM.