High water temperatures are shaping August fishing patterns across lakes Marion and Moultrie, but anglers are continuing to find productive action for catfish, largemouth bass, bream and crappie.
Water temperatures are ranging from about 84 to 90 degrees, making early mornings and late evenings among the best times to fish. During the heat of the day, anglers should focus on deeper ledges, brush piles, stumps, offshore grass, rock piles and heavily shaded areas.
Catfish remain one of the strongest options across the Santee Cooper system. Drift fishing has been productive in 10 to 20 feet of water using cut shad and herring, according to an August report shared by Santee Cooper Country from Chasin The Wild Outdoors TV and Carolina Sportsman TV.
Anglers are also catching catfish while drifting in 18 to 30 feet of water with Santee Cooper rigs and fresh herring. Smaller channel catfish have been biting in the Diversion Canal, particularly on shrimp and assorted stink baits. Night fishing and early morning trips have also been productive.
The seasonal striped bass fishery is closed.
Largemouth bass activity is following a pattern similar to July, according to Capt. Kyle Austin. Anglers should watch and listen for schooling fish feeding near the surface during the early morning hours. Walking topwater lures can be used to target those fish.
As temperatures rise later in the day, bass are moving into 10 to 20 feet of water around ledges, brush, stumps, offshore grass and rock piles. Large Texas-rigged worms, deep-diving crankbaits and jerkbaits are among the recommended options. Some larger bass are still being caught despite the difficult summer conditions.
Bream should begin moving onto beds near the full moon toward the end of August. On Lake Moultrie, good numbers have been reported around brush in 15 to 30 feet of water. On Lake Marion, anglers should target grass beds, shaded cypress trees and lily pads in approximately 2 to 5 feet of water.
Other reports suggest anglers may also find bedding bream on open flats and sandbars in about 4 to 8 feet of water. Crickets are among the preferred baits.
Crappie are holding around deep brush piles and submerged timber in 20 to 30 feet of water. Small jigs and live minnows have been the most dependable bait choices.
In the Cooper River’s saltwater areas, trout, redfish, black drum and sheepshead have been biting near creek mouths. Live shrimp and finger mullet fished beneath popping or slip corks are the recommended baits.
