Freshwater Fishing Trends
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Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Black bass: Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that early in February bass should still be caught deeper in the main lake and at the mouths of creeks around the bait schools where other species including perch are feeding. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots, and jigs. However, later this month anglers will notice bass start to move shallower regardless of weather conditions are they prepare to stage for the spawn.
Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports it was a decent January for striper, but they are hopeful for a better February. This month some striped bass will be caught around the same deep bait schools where other species are feeding, but other striper will be roaming. Following the birds and covering water with free-lines or planer boards is usually the best pattern – even though the birds were not especially helpful in January.
Crappie: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that in late January a few crappie started to show up again around deep bait schools, and this month they will get more and more common. Early in the month they will take minnows fished around deeper schools of bait, while later in the month they will be caught trolling in the creeks as they begin to stage for the spawn.
Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that February is still not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up a few channel catfish.
Most detailed Lake Russell Updates
Lake Thurmond
Black bass: Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that in early February fish will still be related to deep brush or rock in the creeks and ditches, although very early in the morning they will often be found shallow – and even schooling - in the very backs of ditches. Fishing swimbaits and jigs will be effective all month, and of course increasing numbers of anglers will be out deep throwing a minnow-style bait in open water. As temperatures warm this month then fish will move towards their pre-spawn and then spawning locations and stay shallower more of the time.
Striper and hybrids: Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that during February fish will still move around a lot, and one day you could find a big school in one area but then overnight it could be 5 or even 10 miles away. Continue to look for the birds and bait to locate fish. Free-lines, planer boards and down-lines could all work depending on where and how deep the fish set up.
Crappie: Little River Guide Service reports that February is one of the best months of the year for catching big fish. As the weather warms they will begin to stage for the spawn and can be caught trolling in the backs of creeks.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that February should again be a very good month for catfish on Clarks Hill. Anchoring on creek channel ledges and fan-casting cut gizzard shad, white perch and herring will be the best way to target big blue catfish. So far this season the creeks have out-fished the main lake.
Most detailed Lake Thurmond Updates
Lake Wylie
Bass bass: Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that early in the month fish will mostly be deep, especially after a very cold January. But later in February fish should be coming out of their winter patterns as it warms, and they should be just starting to make a push shallower towards their pre-spawn areas. Alabama rigs, crankbaits, and football jigs should be the most popular baits this month.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that February should also be a good month for big fish. While unusual water conditions could change the pattern, usually expect the best fish to come drifting deep water with cut bait on the lower end. However, the creeks have also been predictive so far this winter. A good rule is to start deeper and then move shallower as the water warms each day.
Crappie and white perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in February fish will still be set up in the front sections of creeks in deep water to start the month. Their depth will vary, and the best way to target them is with a double minnow rig fished vertically. If temperatures warm they should start to move shallower later in February.
Most detailed Lake Wylie Updates
Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood
Black bass: Veteran tournament angler Stan Gunter of Greenwood reports that in February bass will start to move shallower due to seasonal factors, and they should start to get into the vicinity of their pre-spawn locations. Depending on water conditions shallow-running crankbaits, spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, and jigs should all work. Very cold conditions slowed the bite late in January, but things should improve quickly with some warming this month.
Crappie: Captain Roland Addy (864-980-3672) reports that the first two weeks of February usually look a lot like January on Lake Greenwood, and fish will be found suspended somewhere around the creek mouths and the main channel. However, later in the mouth when water temperatures rise fish will push further into the creeks and prepare to spawn in March. Late in the month is a good time for long-line trolling with jigs and minnows.
Striped bass: Guide Josh Wilson (864-871-6305) reports that in February striped bass could be found anywhere on Lake Greenwood, but the key to finding them is to locate the bait. Casting at diving birds with Alabama rigs or bucktails is the technique of choice and you can also pull bait.
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that drifting cut herring, shad or white perch in mid-depths should be the best pattern in February.
Most detailed Lake Greenwood Updates
Lake Monticello
Black bass: Tournament angler Eric Enlow of Union reports that February is often a transition month on Lake Monticello, but there should still be some fish deep that can be caught on a spoon or an Alabama rig early in the month. January was fantastic offshore and that should last a bit longer. Particularly on warm days there should also be fish feeding shallower that can be caught on a crankbait. By the end of the month fish should be starting to think more about pre-spawn patterns and moving up consistently.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that February can yield some big fish on Lake Monticello, and anchoring around very deep structure is usually the best pattern. Cut white perch and gizzard shad are typically the best baits.
Most detailed Lake Monticello Updates
Lake Murray
Black Bass: Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that there will be a number of variables that affect the bite in February, but cold water to start the month has a lot of fish deep. As it warms in February fish will start to move into pre-spawn locations adjacent to where they will eventually spawn, and a few fish may even go on beds by the end of the month. Fish will feed best in the warmest areas and crankbaits and jigs should both be effective.
Striped bass: Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that water conditions will determine where the action is in February on Lake Murray. In late January fish headed deep, but a warming trend could quickly change that. Overall fish should continue to be caught on free-lines, planer boards and by casting at birds, but there should also still be a down-line bite for deeper fish – particularly down the lake.
Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor and veteran angler Tommy Slice of Chapin report that in February fish should feed better as the spawn will be rapidly approaching. Tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers, or casting at fish anglers can see on forward-facing sonar, should continue be effective. As the month progresses more fish will move into the creeks and shallow trolling will become effective.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the bite was very good at the end of January even though fish were scattered, and he expects February to be more of the same. Drifting or anchoring with cut bait in the river channel or on the flats is likely to be the best pattern for both blues and big channel catfish this month.
Most detailed Lake Murray Updates
Lake Wateree
Black bass: Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that in February fish will still be in steep areas with access to deep water to start the month, but as we get further along they will start to move towards pre-spawn locations and feed up. Crankbaits, worms and jigs fished around rock should all work.
Crappie: Veteran tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that patterns in February are almost entirely dependent on weather. At the beginning of the month fish should be closer to the river channel or the mouths of creeks where they can be caught tight-lining or casting deep, but if conditions warm significantly in the backs of creeks then fish should move shallower into pre-spawn locations.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in February catfish on Lake Wateree should be mixed between shallow and deep. A general pattern can be to 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 Kyle Austin (843-209-3726) reports that in February fish may be deep to start the month, but that can change rapidly with a little warming. In colder conditions they will want more subtle, slow-moving lures, while as temperatures rise they will be willing to chase faster moving baits like spinnerbaits or Rattle Traps.
Striped bass: Captain Joseph Dennis (843-245-3762) reports that to start this month fish will generally be in deep water, particularly in Lake Moultrie. While you can sometimes catch fish on artificials, fishing deep with live bait on down-rods is usually the best pattern. The bite was sluggish to start the month because of the extreme cold but should improve, and eventually fish will start to migrate up the rivers.
Crappie: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that January continued to produce a few good crappie on minnows around deep brush, and early February should be the same. However, overall this month fish should make a move shallower. They will also feed more willingly.
Catfish: Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that in February drifting deep water is still the best bet, but on very warm days there can be a night/ evening bite in shallow water. Cut herring, shad 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 on Lake Jocassee in February he likes to fish the warmest water he can find, and that usually means the inflow from Bad Creek. Bait will seek out the warmer temperatures and bass will follow it, and fish can be caught on crankbaits, spinnerbaits and soft plastics.
Trout: Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports that in February the trout fishing should continue to improve from what has been a much better January (compared to fall/ early winter). With cool temperatures fish can thrive at any depth, and as a result trout will continue to be found as shallow as they go all year. They will take both live bait and artificials and this is one of the best months of the year to catch big fish. It’s also a period when anglers pursuing other species will catch trout.
Most detailed Lake Jocassee Updates
Lake Keowee
Black Bass: Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that early in the month deep water winter patterns will persist, particularly after a very cold January, but as water temperatures begin to warm in February bass will start to migrate toward shallower water and structure as the pre-spawn stage begins. They will be caught on shaky head worms, jerkbaits, and square-billed crankbaits. Fishermen should also keep in mind the effect of different temperatures in different parts of the lake.
Most detailed Lake Keowee Updates
Lake Hartwell
Black Bass: Guide Scott Allgood (864-364-1733) reports that in February the best bet is to target points, brush or rocks in deep water with drop shot rigs, underspins, or football jigs, particularly early in the day. As temperatures warm this month, especially in the afternoons, fish can also be found sliding up shallower.
Striper and hybrids: Captain Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that the February bite will start off similar to January with fish part-way up the rivers in 35-50 feet on the bottom. However, later in the month if the water temperatures reach the low to mid-50s then on warm afternoons fish will move up onto wind-blown red clay points and banks to feed. Artificial lures like small swimbaits and flukes on a Scrounger head will often out-fish herring, and if there is a weak morning bite it’s often a sign of a strong afternoon bite.
Crappie: Captain Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that at the beginning of February fish are most likely to be found around deeper docks on jigs and minnows, but if temperatures warm then later in the month they should be caught shallower in open water as well as on brush as they start to move up.
Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that February patterns are almost entirely dependent on the weather, and if it gets warm later in the month fish should move shallower into the creek channels. If it stays cold then they will stay deeper. A variety of cut baits can work. January mostly saw a slow but steady bite for big blue cats until the lake got extremely cold.
Most detailed Lake Hartwell updates
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