Week 18 Fishing Report, Freshwater Report, Mountains Area, Lake Jocassee

Trout: Fair.Trout are in a transitional stage right now between spring and summer patterns.They have not moved very deep yet but are going that direction.Try trolling in 60 - 65 feet of water using trolling spoons or large plugs.Also pull large live shiners in the same zone.Night fishing continues to be productive with large fish and good numbers being caught; troll the rivers for best success.

Largemouth and Redeye Bass: Excellent.Some fish are starting to spawn and others are moving onto the banks to feed.The hot lure remains dark swamp crawler green pumpkin Zoom worms.Also try topwater plugs and Texas rigged worms fished on the bottom.

Smallmouth Bass: Excellent.Smallmouth bass are spawning and very nice fish in the 5 to 7 pound range are being caught.Use plastics and Texas rigged worms.

Lake Keowee

Largemouth Bass: Very good.Warmer weather has moved fish shallower and fish are spawning in the backs of coves.For spawning fish flip a Lake Fork Crawdad to entice them to hit.For other fish target shallow coves using Lake Fork Twitch Worms around Cane Creek, Crooked Creek, Mile Creek, and High Falls.

Spotted Bass: Very good.Fish the upper part of the lake around Mile Creek and High Falls.Early in the morning throw a buzzbait or a topwater jerkbait.Later in the day fish shallow running chartreuse-colored crankbaits with an orange belly in 5-20 feet of water around main points and coves.Live baiting with medium shiners is also productive fishing vertically over structure.

Crappie: Very good.Crappie are in spawning mode up against the banks and some very nice fish are being caught.

Lake Hartwell

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good to very good.The fish are coming back down the Keowee River, and good sizes and numbers of fish are being caught.Fish shallow early around points, and move deeper - out to 35 feet of water - as the sun rises.Fish bucktails and live herring, and look for topwater schooling activity when fish are pushing bait towards the banks.Try from Holders Landing down to where the first power line crosses going up the river.Check out Buoy 20 at Sadlers Creek area just off the island points, and watch for action around Broyles landing on the left side of the island.

Largemouth Bass: Excellent. The largemouth bass bite remains red hot and fish are on the banks and feeding aggressively.Some fish are on the beds, some have already spawned, and a few have yet to spawn.Target shallow fish using soft plastics; red shad color has been deadly.In a recent club tournament anglers caught multiple limits both days and were culling 2 and 3 pound fish.

Crappie: Excellent. The crappie bite is very good and fish are feeding aggressively in 2 to 8 feet of water.Look for large fish, not numbers of crappie, and try trolling small minnows or small white jigs. Also fish brushpiles with small to medium minnows, Alibis and curly tail grubs.Good action is also being reported fishing under a bridge with lights at night.

Chattooga River

Trout: Excellent.Water levels and temperatures are both ideal.

Fly Fishing report: The March Brown Mayflies have hatched, bringing with them the dry fly season which should last from 4 to 6 weeks.Fish Addam's, Blue Winged Olives, or March Brown flies in sizes 14, 16, or 18.Fish are feeding aggressively and nice sized trout are being caught.

Conventional tackle report: Fishermen continue to take large numbers of trout on rooster tails and other spinners.White and pearl colors are strong.

Piedmont Area

Lake Russell

Striped and Hybrid Bass: Fair.Fish early morning with bucktails and cut and live herring.Fish are still fairly deep.

Largemouth and Spotted Bass: Good.Some bass are spawning while many have already moved back out to slightly deeper water.Try fishing spinnerbaits in the trees, and also try Carolina Rigging in 10 to 15 feet of water. Green pumpkinseed and purple worms are most productive, and floating worm action is improving.For spotted bass fish finesse worms in the back half of coves in the Beaverdam area.

Crappie: Very good.Lake Russell anglers continue to catch lots of crappie.Fish in 12 - 18 feet of water around treetops using small minnows.

Catfish: Good, using cut bait and nightcrawlers along the bottom.

Lake Thurmond

Water levels have risen nearly 4 feet in the last few weeks but they remain substantially down.

Striped and Hybrid Bass:Fair.In a recent club tournament the largest striped bass that was caught weighed 5 pounds.The striper bite has unexpectedly slowed but should pick up again soon.Try live herring on planer boards, free lines, or down rods.

Largemouth Bass: Very good.Most bass have completed spawning but many are still hanging around shallow water and feeding aggressively.Black and purple soft plastics are very productive.

Crappie: Excellent.Crappie are still shallow and most are being caught 10 to 15 feet off the bank, with lots of fish over two pounds being taken.Some fish are still hanging in deeper water - troll in 10 to 12 feet of water to target these crappie.

Shellcracker: Fair.The shellcracker bite is improving and fish are being caught on pink worms fished around shell-covered points.The bite should get hot within the next week.

Savannah River

Striped/ Hybrid Bass: Hit or miss.When the correct gates are open on the Lake Thurmond Dam action can be fast, but at other times fish are not feeding.Further down the Savannah River, below the New Savannah River Bluff Lock and Dam, action is slow right now.Mullet are starting to come up the river, however, and the striper will not be far behind them.

Yellow Perch: No report.Huge yellow perch are still in the Savannah River below Lake Thurmond but no one seems to be targeting them.

Lake Wylie

Largemouth Bass: Very good.Many fish are still on the beds while others have already spawned.Post-spawn fish are beginning to move onto the drops. Floating worms, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits are all producing.Night fishing is also productive, and anglers fishing the Thursday Night Tournament Trail each Thursday out of Buster Boyd Landing are catching nice sacks.

Crappie: Slow to fair.Crappie are in a transitional phase and most anglers are having trouble finding them. A few people, however, are catching large numbers.Try a 2 inch chartreuse jig tipped with a minnow, or a plain minnow.

White Perch: Very good.White perch are moving into 15 foot deep water to spawn.Look for sandy bottoms.Other fish remain in 20-25 feet of water next to river channels.Use a minnow or small spoon lowered to the bottom and then bumped slowly. Small and medium sized perch are making up the bulk of the catch right now.

Catfish: Very good.White perch and crappie fishermen are picking up lots of catfish mixed in with the panfish when using minnows.

Midlands Area

Lake Greenwood

Striped Bass: Fair.Some striped bass are being caught up the river but fishing in the main lake is slow. No schooling activity is being reported.

Largemouth Bass: Very good.Many bass are still on the beds and being caught by anglers sight fishing with jigs or worms.Other bass have already bedded and moved back onto secondary points.Topwater lures including buzzbaits and floating worms are both productive, and swim baits and Texas Rigged worms are also catching fish.

Crappie: Good.Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to 6-8 feet of water.A few can still be caught shallow but best action is on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and chartreuse and black jigs.

Bream and Shellcracker: Good.Fish are moving onto the banks and trying to bed.Fish 2-5 feet of water using crickets and red worms.

Catfish: Very good.Fish on the bottom using cut bait or worms, and try fishing at night.

Lake Murray

Striped Bass: Fair.Striped bass are scattered around the lake and best action is coming drifting or trolling free lined herring early and then switching to cut bait in 10-40 feet of water in the middle of the day.Some action is also being reported trolling bucktails and Road Runners.

Largemouth Bass: Excellent.Most bass have already spawned, although a few remain on the beds, but the fish have skipped the traditional post-spawn slowdown and continue to feed aggressively. Fish Carolina or Texas Rigged worms in 2 to 15 feet of water; the best colors are watermelon candy and green pumpkinseed, or anything green.Spot removers are also working very well in the same colors.Also try topwater lures early and late and floating worms throughout the day.

Crappie: Fair.Crappie have generally finished spawning and moved back out to deeper water and the bite has been slow with the irregular weather patterns.Best action is coming fishing down rods on deeper brushpiles or trolling with minnows and jigs in 6 to 15 feet of water around creek mouths.

Bream and Shellcracker:Excellent. Fish are coming onto the beds and will continue to spawn for the next month or two, especially around full moons. Fish in 6 inches down to 8 feet of water using redworms, baby nightcrawlers, and crickets.

Saluda River

Trout:Very good. Fly fishermen should cast Wooly Buggers or similar flies; several hatches have already taken place.Lots of stock fish are being caught, and spinners are also effective.The trout fishery will remain strong until large numbers of striped bass move into the river and clean them out.

Striped Bass: Slow to fair.Some striped bass have made their way into the Saluda, but anglers need to cover a lot of water early in the year and best success is coming throwing Bomber Long As, 5 inch Yozuris, and Swimbaits.Best fishing is coming on days when water is running - other days may not even be worth fishing yet. Expect another down year for striper bass until the fishery improves.

Lake Wateree

Striped Bass: Fair. Fish in the lower part of the lake using topwaters, shiners, or live herring.

Crappie: Fair.Crappie are almost finished spawning and are moving back out to deeper water. Trolling with jigs and minnows is most effective.

Catfish: Very good. Multiple 40 pounders are still being taken as well as lots of smaller fish. Target big blue cats using cut bait fished on the edges of holes.Other fish have started to move into shallower water to spawn. 8 to 10 pound fish are being caught on stinkbaits, worms, cut bait, and live bait fished on the bottom; fish are feeding so aggressively artificial lure fishermen are even catching some.

Bream: Very good. Bream are beginning to move shallow and onto beds. Fish 1 to 5 feet of water using worms and crickets.

Wateree River

Catfish: Good.Anglers are catching nice fish using cut bait, worms, and live shiners on the bottom.

Crappie: Good.Crappie are on the banks and anglers are doing well fishing jigs and minnows.

Pee Dee Area

River levels are about perfect for fishing.

Great Pee Dee

Fish the main river for catfish and target bass and panfish in the surrounding oxbow lakes.

Catfish: Good to very good. Catches of catfish are picking up in the main river using eels, large minnows, and goldfish.Fish on the bottom in holes and around channel breaks.

Crappie: Fair. Anglers fishing ox bow lakes off the main channel are starting to report improved catches.Use minnows.

Lynches River

Bream: Good.Anglers are doing well fishing worms, wax worms, and crickets on the bottom.

Santee Cooper System

Lake Marion

Fishing on the upper and lower ends of the lake is very strong, and boat ramps such as Pack's Landing are open again with the rising water.

Striped Bass: Slow. Use cut bait and live herring; occasional striped bass are being caught.

Largemouth Bass: Good to very good.Reports of 6 to 10 pound fish are fairly common and bass are being caught around shallow structure and submerged cover.Fish soft plastics or try topwater lures as the water continues to warm.In the recent Everstart tournament records catches were made.

Catfish: Very good.Catfish are feeding aggressively but unpredictable weather is keeping them moving around.Anglers on the upper end of the lake are catching catfish very shallow; fish up to 50 pounds or bigger can be caught in 2 to 6 feet of water using cut bait on the bottom.Catfishing has been great in 2 to 3 feet of water between Billups and Jacks Creek using cut herring.Around the dam area anglers are also catching coolers full of fish, but having to change locations from day to day.Generally the fish in this area are somewhere between deep and shallow, and many guides are drifting about 100 yards offshore.

Crappie: Very good. Most crappie have already completed spawning but are still feeding very well.Fish in the Jack's Creek area and around Santee State Park up towards Stump Hole Landing.Target bridges and piers for fish that have moved back into deeper water.

Bream and Shellcracker: Very Good.Fish shallow water along the banks near Santee Park and Stump Hole.Fish have moved shallow and will spawn and feed aggressively for the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Diversion Canal

Shellcracker: Good.Shellcracker are being caught on the Moultrie end of the canal but the largest numbers of bream and shellcracker are in the shallow water of the main lakes.

Catfish: Very good.Flathead catfish up to 50 and 60 pounds are being caught in the canal at night.Anchor or slowly drift cut bait.

Lake Moultrie

Moultrie is within one foot of full pool and water temperatures are around 75 degrees; baitfish are feeding in shallow areas where grass grow during low water and drawing predators shallow, too.Black's Camp has recently dredged its cove and now has deepwater access.

Striped Bass: Slow to fair.The striper bite is not good enough to plan a trip around it but there is some schooling activity in the Bonneau area and at the mouth of the Diversion Canal.Anglers should have a rod ready with a bucktail in case a school hits the surface while they are pursuing another species.

Largemouth Bass: Very good.Most bass have already completed spawning but there is probably still one more wave of spawning left - target these fish with Horny Toads.For post-spawn fish use plastic lures in watermelon colors on overcast days and bright colors on bright days.Also look for lily pads and primrose plants and fish shallow where the bait is concentrated.Topwaters like buzzbaits and Zara Spooks have been effective as well as floating worms.

Catfish:Good.As in the upper lake catfish are unpredictable right now.Some days big fish are being caught in 5-6 feet of water around submerged islands, or in 8-10 feet over stump fields and flats.Other days fish are backing up into 40 or 45 feet of water.Fish cut shad, herring and white perch on the bottom.

Crappie: Slow.Crappie are in between spring and summer patterns right now and fishermen are having trouble finding them.Fish in 8 to 12 feet of water around major creek mouths and over medium depth brush until they move over deeper brush for the summer.

Shellcracker: Good.There has already been one wave of spawning but the next full moon will bring another. Fish shallow with red worms, pink worms, or baby nightcrawlers.

Bream: Fair.Bream are still staging around deeper brushpiles but can be caught.

Cooper River

Shad: Excellent.The shad run is still hot in the Tailrace and the females are making their way from the ocean up the river towards the Lake Moultrie Dam Tailrace to spawn.Some really nice roe shad are being taken, ranging from 3 to 5 pounds. Conventional fishermen should use a small green grub and fly anglers should use a chartreuse Clauser on a #4 hook.

Coastal Rivers

Waccamaw River

Crappie: Good.Fishermen in the Waccamaw are beginning to report nice catches of crappies.Use minnows around structure.

Catfish: Good.Use large goldfish or shiners to target big catfish.Anglers are having success using set hooks and trotlines but the same baits will work rod and reel fishing.

Saltwater Report

Little River

Spottail Bass: Fair. Anglers are catching spottail bass along structure in the ICW and in the upper creeks using live mud minnows and Berkeley Gulp; however, most of the fish are short of the slot.Better spottail bass action may be found out at the jetties.

Trout: Good. The trout bite is strong and 3 to 5 pound fish are being taken.Fish in the ICW up to the jetties with grubs and artificial shrimp.Berkeley Gulp baits and DOA shrimp have been particularly effective.Fish soft plastics on falling tides and also try live baits in the main channels.

Flounder: Very good.Nice catches are being reported.Most of the flounder have now returned inshore and can be caught in Cherry Grove area creeks using mud minnows.Target the Hog Inlet area where water temperatures rise fastest.

Bottom Fish:Strong winds have continued to make getting offshore problematic, but nice catches of black sea bass have been reported on calm days.

Cherry Grove Pier: The pier season is in full swing and fishing is hot. In the last week bluefish have been caught up to 11 pounds as well as king mackerel of 33.5 and 22.75 pounds.Spanish mackerel are also being caught as well as whiting and some flounder.

Grand Strand

Spottail Bass: Very good.Fish the creeks and inlets using live or cut mullet, dead shrimp, or live fiddler or mud crabs (available at Perry's Bait and Tackle).Natural bait seems to be producing better than lures and fish don't yet seem too interested in chasing artificials.Look for holes that still have several feet of water at low tide.

Black Drum: Good.The 2 to 5 pound drum are still hanging around and fishermen report nice catches using live mud minnows, pieces of dead shrimp, and broken crab pieces.Fish the inlets or head to the jetties.

Trout: Fair.There are few recent reports of trout catches but the Georgetown area has been most successful for trout.Try Mirrolures, Gulp shrimp, or live shrimp and fish the drops.

Sheepshead: Good.Nice sheepshead are being taken at the reefs as well as at the Murrells Inlet jetties. Use fiddler crabs.

Flounder:Good. Flounder fishing is fast improving and nice numbers of fish are being reported with about half of these fish being keeper sized.Drift or troll live mud minnows in Murrells Inlet or other inlets and creeks.In the April 26 Grand Strand Saltwater Anglers Association 7th Annual Spring Flounder Tournament the big fish weighed 5.65 pounds and all of the anglers reported success catching small and medium sized fish.

Pompano: Good.Pompano have showed up and are feeding aggressively in the surf.Fish areas that have not been dredged with sand fleas for best results.

Sheepshead: Good.Good catches of sheepshead are being reported around inshore structure and out at nearshore reefs.

Springmaid Pier: Croaker, bluefish and whiting generally ranging from half to one pound are being caught, with occasional flounder and black and red drum mixed in.Spanish mackerel are also beginning to be caught.

Myrtle Beach State Park Pier: Good sized whiting are being caught and the 2 lb. 10 oz. state record was tied off the pier last week.A few flounder are also beginning to be caught.

Apache Pier: Spanish mackerel and bluefish up to 7 pounds have been caught recently and black drum in the 14 to 15 inch range are also biting well.Whiting generally ranging from 8 to 11 inches are being caught although a one pound two ounce kingfish was also landed recently.Some nice sized spottails within the 15 to 23 inch slot limit are also being taken on fresh shrimp.

Surfside Pier: Spanish mackerel up to 6 pounds 5 ounces have been caught in the last week and bluefish weighing 6, 7 and 10 pounds have been taken.Some very nice whiting up to 14 and 15 inches have been caught, and pompano making their way up the coast have been taken jigging with small hooks.A 2 pound 5 ounce pompano was weighed in recently.Some trout have also been caught.

Garden City Pier: Whiting, small black drum, and bluefish are all being caught, and flounder are starting to show up.A beautiful 2 lb. 10 oz. pompano was recently caught, and some Spanish mackerel are beginning to show up.

Offshore:Nice catches of dolphin up to 27 pounds and blackfin tuna are being reported - on best days boats are landing 14 or 15 of either species, and some nice sized wahoo up to 42 pounds have been mixed in.

Cape Romain/ McClellanville

Spottail Bass: Good.Fish are grouped in large to very large schools on the flats but are at times reluctant to feed in the very clear water.Try a variety of lures to get them to bite, ranging from DOA or Gulp shrimp to topwater plugs to gold spoons to flies.Mud minnows or live mullet may also be effective.

Trout: Fair.The trout fishing has dropped off a bit but expect it to pick back up again soon. Fish deeper than for the spottail bass and target holes in creeks.Use an Equalizer-type popping cork with a leader underneath and fish a grub on a lead headed jig.Finding the right action on the jig is very important.

Charleston

The inshore bite has really heated up in the Charleston area as the water has warmed and the baitfish have moved back into the area.

Spottail Bass: Very good.Lots of fish are being caught in the ICW, creeks, and Wando River, and large numbers of baitfish such as finger mullet are beginning to appear in the Charleston Harbor.Some monster spottails are being caught out around the Charleston jetties fishing cut bait such as bluefish.Large schools of redfish can be seen on the flats

Trout: Very good.With the mild winter this should be a very good year for trout and warm temperatures have improved the bite over the last week or two.Fish are in the Wando, Cooper, and the creeks around Wild Dunes.Fish live shrimp under a float or Gulp shrimp; fly fishermen also report some nice catches.Night fishermen have also done well fishing DOA shrimp under well-lit docks. Anglers report 20 fish days, and lots of nice sized trout are around.

Flounder: Good.By now most flounder have completed their migration back inshore and can be found throughout inlets, the ICW, and creeks.Target flounder using live mud minnows fished slowly on the bottom. Small flounder are also being caught in the surf.

Sheepshead: Very good. Sheepshead are schooled up at the nearshore reefs such as Capers Reef and are also starting to be caught inshore.Reports of nice catches around inshore structure, as well as at the Charleston jetties, are common.

Folly Beach Pier:Some whiting, spots, skate, and sharks are being caught, but pier fishing has yet to really pick up.

Offshore: While windy conditions continue on calmer days boats have been doing well.Some dolphin have showed up as well as some giant wahoo, including one recent fish weighing 93 pounds, and some yellowfin and blackfin tuna are around although those fish are running stronger up near Georgetown.A few king mackerel are mixed in but offshore fishing is on the brink of exploding.

Edisto

Spottail Bass: Fair. Some anglers are catching spottails in the creeks and rivers using live mud minnows.

Whiting: Good.Whiting are prolific in the surf and can be caught using shrimp or cut bait fished on the bottom.

Offshore: Dolphin catches are beginning to pick up and some nice wahoo are also being caught.

Beaufort

Spottail Bass: Good.Fish are beginning to spread out and feed aggressively on the large mullet schools which are showing up, although some spottails are still congregated in large schools.Spottails are beginning to tail in large numbers in the grass and can be sight-fished for by lure or fly fishermen.Some topwater action is also being reported.

Trout: Good.A mild winter should make for an outstanding trout season and warmer temperatures have improved trout fishing over the last week. The fish are beginning to spread out through the rivers and creeks; however, more fish are being caught near the islands than in the Broad River area.Fish holes and drops, although some topwater action is being reported on the Bite A Bait topwater lure.Around low tide fly fishermen are catching some good-sized trout on lime green and orange rattling flies near the creek banks alongside spartina grass.

Flounder:Good. Flounder are showing up in the inlets and beginning to be caught throughout the creeks.Fish soft plastics or mud minnows along the bottom. Most fish are still at or below the legal limit; this may improve somewhat as the season continues but biologists suspect the average size of the flounder stock is smaller than usual this year.

Sheepshead: Fair. Catches of sheepshead are still being reported around inshore bridges, pilings, and wood, but many of the larger fish seem to have headed offshore to spawn.They should be back in time for late spring and summer.

Cobia:Cobia have arrived in the Broad River/ Port Royal Sound area and some very nice fish are being caught.Anglers can target cobia with the traditional bait of live eels, but menhaden, bluefish, croaker, whole squid and crabs are also effective.Try to fish the entire water column - have one rod shallow, another at medium depth, and another on the bottom.Best fishing is two hours each side of the tide change - when tides are running strongest fish are unlikely to bite.

Paradise Pier:Some decent whiting have been caught as well as black tip sharks and stingrays.The biggest catch is blue crabs which are being caught by the 5 gallon bucketful around low tide.

Bottom Fishing: Black Sea Bass are still abundant; fishermen should take a variety of baits with them including shrimp, squid, and cigar minnows.A particular method to see what the fish are biting is to chum with each bait and see which is eaten.The legal limit for black sea bass is 12 inches, for red snapper is 20 inches, and for grouper is 24 inches.

Offshore: Dolphin, wahoo, and king mackerel are all being caught although yellowfin and blackfin tuna are not around.In the recent King Mackerel Tournament from Fripp Island the winning king weighed 22.5 caught by Full Tilt, the winning weighing wahoo weighed 38.1 caught by Redemption, and the winning dolphin weighed 26.9 caught by Sugar Rene.

Hilton Head

Spottail Bass: Very good.Fish the edges of grass on the incoming tide with rattle floats and natural colored Gulp Shrimp to catch slot sized fish as well as larger ones.Also use brown Gulp Swimming Minnows, or mud minnows.On the beginning of the falling tide bigger spottails can be found schooling and feeding aggressively for brief periods. The topwater bite is also very good on shallow and medium depth flats when the weather is calm.

Trout: Very good.Trout fishing is fast improving and nice-sized fish are being caught.Use Gulp shrimp imitations or live shrimp and target drops on the falling tide, or fish around the grass when the water is high. Large fish in the 18 to 20 inch range are being taken when the water is up.

Sheepshead: Very good.Offshore sheepshead fishing remains strong but anglers have had a hard time getting out with the high winds.When they can head out guides continue to report nice catches of sheepshead at the near shore reefs.Lots of fish are in the 2-5 pound range, but some larger fish up to 9 or 10 pounds are also being taken.Anglers forced to fish inshore are also doing well around structure with fiddler crabs.

Cobia:Read about area cobia fishing in the Beaufort report.

-- SCFishingReport.com