Freshwater Fishing Trends
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Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Black bass: Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in December bass will be in deep water in the creeks and also on the main lake. By the end of November they had already moved out to 50-60 feet and the bite was very good. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots, jigs, and live bait.
Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that December is one of the best months of the year to fish Russell for striper, and fish usually group up in the mid-lake. Whether you opt to throw artificial lures at feeding fish or cover water by pulling herring on free-lines and planer boards, following the birds is key.
Crappie and perch: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that in December he will not usually target crappie, although they are sometimes a by-catch, but yellow and white perch will be caught in excellent numbers. They will be caught on minnows fished around deeper schools of bait.
Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that December is not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up channel catfish or even a big flathead before it gets too cold.
Most detailed Lake Russell Updates
Clarks Hill (Lake Thurmond)
Black bass: Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that in December there should be two major groups of fish. Once temperatures get below 55 degrees there will be bass in the creek ditches that can be caught on The Sled and blade baits. At times these fish will get very shallow. There is another group of deeper fish out on the main lake focused on bait schools that can be caught on minnow imitations or underspins fished in open water or over humps and other structure. Birds can help locate the bait schools.
Striper and hybrids bass: Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that during December many fish should move into the backs of the creeks. As the fish get shallower and scatter out in the backs more anglers will switch over to free-lines and planer boards, but there are also always fish that can be caught on down-rods.
Crappie: Little River Guide Service reports that in December there should still be some fish ganged up around mid-depth brush piles and submerged timber in creeks. Generally creeks in the middle and upper part of the lake will fish best, and crappie will eat minnows or jigs. As more fish start to roam, however, the bite usually slows down.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that December is one of the best months of the year to catch a big catfish on Thurmond, and if anything fishing is likely to improve from what has already been an excellent fall bite. Anchoring on deep structure is usually the most consistent way to catch large blue and flathead catfish this month, although drifting has been strong so far this fall. The creeks can be good depending on whether bait has moved into them, and gizzard shad and white perch are hard to beat for the bigger fish. This year all signs point to a continued good bite in the creeks.
Most detailed Lake Thurmond Updates
Lake Wylie
Bass bass: Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in December some bait and fish that made a migration shallower will be pulling out of the creeks and returning to the main lake, although the population of spotted bass means more fish now stay on the main lake all year. Fish will set up in relatively deep water where they can be caught on jerkbaits and Alabama rigs.
Crappie and perch: The Carolina Angler Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in December most of the crappie will have left the backs of creeks and set up in the front sections of deep creeks or on the main lake. Their depth will vary, and the best way to target them is with a double minnow rig fished vertically. Expect perch to be near the crappie, often in giant schools.
Catfish: CCaptain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in December some of the biggest fish in the lake should be caught. The chief pattern will be drifting deep water in the lower lake with cut shad, although some days the action is better in the creeks.
Most detailed Lake Wylie Updates
Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood
Black bass: Veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Greenwood reports that in the early part of December there should still be some fish caught shallow in the backs of creeks on spinnerbaits and crankbaits, but as temperatures drop the deeper bite should come on. Fishing a jigging spoon, drop shot, or even dragging a jig around deep bait schools should work. Casting an Alabama rig is also usually very effective this month.
Crappie: Captain Roland Addy (864-980-3672) reports that in December many fish will still be found on brush and around bridges, but some will start to roam and follow bait schools. Have both jigs and minnows available.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that drifting the flats with shrimp or cut bait will still work this month, although channel catfish will get more lethargic as it gets cooler. Flathead catfish will also continue to be caught on live bream or perch until it gets very cold.
Most detailed Lake Greenwood Updates
Lake Monticello
Black bass: BYA Fishing’s Eric Enlow of Union reports that in December the best way to catch fish is often with a jigging spoon, although to start the month a number of patterns are in play from shallow to deep. As it gets colder concentrate on deep water and use your electronics (or follow the birds) to locate fish.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that December is perhaps the best month of the year to catch a big fish on Lake Monticello, and both drifting and anchoring in deep water can be very strong. Cut white perch and gizzard shad are the best baits.
Most detailed Lake Monticello Updates
Lake Murray
Black Bass: Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that a typical Lake Murray pattern this month has fish mixed between shallow water and deep. Shallow fish can be caught on crankbaits around rock, while deeper fish can be caught on spoons or jerkbaits around brush, rock, and bait schools.
Striped bass: Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that in December on Lake Murray there is no more popular pattern than throwing double rigs around feeding birds. Fish are all over the lake but the best numbers are up the lake.
Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor and veteran angler Tommy Slice of Chapin report that in December the crappie should really turn on and move into the creek channels up the lake; by the end of November the bite was already getting very good. Down the lake in the clearer water they will stay on brush at least to start this month, but instead of deep brush they will get on mid-depth brush part-way back in the creeks. Jigs are more likely to be successful up the lake than down this month.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that December is another excellent month for catching catfish on Lake Murray. Drifting or anchoring with cut bait in the channels is the best pattern for blue catfish, but channel catfish will be spread out all over.
Most detailed Lake Murray Updates
Lake Wateree
Black bass: Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that in December fish will be oriented to steep banks. The best areas have lots of rock and will warm up in the afternoon sun. Fish slowly with crankbaits, worms or jigs. .
Crappie: Veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that in December most of the Wateree crappie will be found at the top of the lake where they can be caught tight-lining minnows and jigs along the river channel – or casting jigs using electronics. To start the month some fish will still be on brush, particularly in the lower lake.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that the December catfish bite depends on water temperature, but if it gets cold then fish should be mixed between shallow and deep. Anchor in deep water early and then try the shallows later in the day when the water warms.
Most detailed Lake Wateree Updates
Santee Cooper
Black bass: Captain David Murdaugh Sr. (843-452-9566) reports that until the spring rolls around substantial numbers of fish will be concentrating on shad, and so finding bait increases your chances of locating fish in December. Shallow running crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and small swimbaits are all good lure choices. These days the grass can also hold a lot of fish year-round, and of course there also fish that live on trees this month.
Striped bass: Captain Bobby Winters (843-751-3080) reports that this month fish will generally be in deep water, particularly in Lake Moultrie. While you can sometimes catch fish on artificials fishing deep with down-rods is usually the best pattern.
Crappie and Bream: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that this was a much better fall for crappie than last year and so there is room for optimism. The bream bite should continue to be strong this month, and dropping temperatures should group up fish even better. In December both species will continue to be found around the same deep brush, and minnows will catch crappie and crickets will catch bream.
Catfish: Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that in December fish should move about as deep as they will be found all year, and drifting steep ledges or even deep flats is probably the best way to catch them. However, there will still be some fish found shallow. Cut herring, shad, mullet, or white perch will all work.
Most detailed Santee Cooper System Updates
Mountains Area
Lake Jocassee
Black Bass: Veteran angler Chip Cranford of Boiling Springs reports that in December largemouth bass will be in the rivers and creeks, and as the month progresses their movements will mirror the bait. In November soft plastics are usually most effective, but as temperatures cool down underspins and even jigging spoons should come on. As always there should be spotted bass that can be caught deep on main lake points with soft plastics or jigs.
Trout: Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports that at the end of November the trout fishing was better than last year at this time, and they are hopeful that cooler temperatures and eventual stocking will only improve the bite this winter. Late December can be a particularly good time to catch a big fish. Fish will move shallower as water temperatures cool, and were already starting to do so by the end of the month, and spoons, plugs, live bait, and more will all catch fish in December.
Most detailed Lake Jocassee Updates
Lake Keowee
Black Bass: Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that as water temperatures drop in December fish will go deep – with many very deep – on Lake Keowee. Fishing with drop shots and jigging spoons is usually the best way to catch them once it is cold.
Most detailed Lake Keowee Updates
Lake Hartwell
Black Bass: Guide Lane Clark (864-254-8614) reports that in December fish will mostly leave the shallow creeks and set up in deeper ditches, channels, and off points. Some days they will be suspended, and other days they will relate to the bottom. Fish head spins, drop shot rigs, spoons, and dragging a jig or shaky head will work.
Striper and hybrids: Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that in December fish will continue to bite down-lines in the creeks and rivers until if and when water temperatures get very cold. If that happens look for the bite to slow down, and anglers may need to switch over to trolling umbrella rigs or pulling free-lines with big baits.
Crappie: Captain Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that in December fish will be all over the place, from brush to bridges to docks to roaming in open water. Generally 15-20 feet of water is a good depth range, and casting jigs at brush is often his most productive pattern – even though fish can be caught plenty of other ways.
Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that in December blue catfish often get easier to catch and they should be catchable on clean bottoms. A variety of cut baits will work. In November some big fish were already showing up.
Most detailed Lake Hartwell updates
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