Fishing Fun Under the Clouds and Sunshine!
Welcome back, anglers! This week on Santee Cooper, we’re in for a mixed bag of weather, with a bit of rain at the start giving way to sunnier days later on. Expect highs in the upper 70s to nearly 90, with some chances of thunderstorms especially at the beginning. Water conditions are a bit choppy at first but will calm down as the week progresses, leading to clearer waters. Target species include largemouth bass and blue catfish, which will be actively feeding. The best times to fish will align with the clearing weather, especially in the afternoons. Don’t miss out on this week’s fishing adventure!
Weather and Water Conditions: A Week of Surprises!
Sunday, May 31:
Daytime: A slight chance of rain showers before 7am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79. East wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 10pm and 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 11pm and 5am, then patchy fog and a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. East wind 1 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water temp is rising; conditions are choppy with a clarity of 2 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Monday, June 1:
Daytime: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8am, then patchy fog and showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83. Northeast wind 1 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water remains choppy; clarity decreases to 1.5 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Tuesday, June 2:
Daytime: Rain showers likely before 11am, then showers and thunderstorms likely between 11am and 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80. Northeast wind 2 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
On the Water: Water conditions are stabilizing; clarity increases to 2 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Wednesday, June 3:
Daytime: A chance of rain showers before 8am. Sunny, with a high near 78. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Night: Clear, with a low around 55.
On the Water: Water conditions calm; clarity improves to 3 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Thursday, June 4:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 83.
Night: Clear, with a low around 59.
On the Water: Water is calm; clarity remains at 3 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Friday, June 5:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 87.
Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 63.
On the Water: Conditions are excellent; clarity remains at 3 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Saturday, June 6:
Daytime: Sunny, with a high near 89.
Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66.
On the Water: Perfect conditions; clarity at 4 feet. Sunrise 5:43 AM, sunset 8:27 PM.
Best Species to Target This Week: Catch of the Day!
Largemouth Bass
Fish for largemouth bass this week in 5-15 feet of water over a mixed structure of rocks and submerged vegetation using a plastic worm. A slow retrieve with a hopping action should encourage a strike at 10 feet.
Blue Catfish
Target blue catfish this week in deeper water (15-25 feet) over a muddy bottom using cut bait. A medium retrieve with a steady action should entice bites near the bottom.
Black Crappie
Focus on black crappie in 6-12 feet of water over submerged timber using a small jig. A slow and steady retrieve with a twitching action will work wonders at 8 feet.
Best Times to Be on the Water This Week: Timing is Everything!
Largemouth Bass
Due to improving weather and stabilizing water conditions, largemouth bass will be actively feeding in the late afternoon. 4 PM to 7 PM will be the optimal time to target this species.
Blue Catfish
With the water warming and stabilizing, blue catfish will be more active during the early morning hours. 6 AM to 9 AM will be the best time to fish for them.
Black Crappie
As the water clears, black crappie will be feeding in the early evening. 5 PM to 8 PM is when you should aim to catch them.