Published Tuesday, April 08, 2008 7:53 AM
Updated Tuesday, April 08, 2008 7:53 AM
Fishing report
Santee Cooper System
Lake Marion:
• Striped Bass: Fair. Use cut bait and live herring.
• Largemouth Bass: Good to very good. Fishing is particularly strong on the upper end of the lake. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and worms are all effective.
• Catfish: Very good. Blue cats are being caught shallow in just a few feet of water on down to 18 to 30 feet. Big herring cut into chunks are the bait of choice, and threadfin shad and white perch will also produce.
• Crappie: Good. Catches of crappie are improving and some nice stringers are being caught, particularly in the upper end of the lake. Poplar creek near Santee State Park is producing fish as is the area near Stump Hole landing, and the Jack's Creek area will also be productive. Lower down the lake fish are a bit deeper but nice slabs are being caught.
• Shellcracker: Excellent. Fish shallow water along the banks near Santee Park and Stump Hole.
Lake Moultrie:
• Striped Bass: Slow to fair. Some schooling activity reported 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.
• Largemouth Bass: Very good. Some fish are already attempting to spawn in warmer areas with the full moon. Target the backs of coves and use shallow running crankbaits and plastic worms.
• Catfish: Very good. Fish cut herring or other large, oily chunks of baitfish in 6-8 feet of water on the bottom around ditches and stumps. Also try drifting in 20 to 25 feet of water when the winds are favorable.
• Crappie: Very good. In the Northeast area of Lake Moultrie crappie are biting very well around shallow brush. Anglers are using minnows and jigs. Further down the lake fish are still suspended in deeper water. On the west side of the lake anchor minnows under floats 4-6 feet down over 8 or 9 feet of water.
• Shellcracker: Fair. Catches of shellcracker are starting to pick up. The mouth of the Diversion Canal on the Moultrie end is producing shellcracker in late afternoon but overall fishing in the Upper Lake is much stronger.