1/17/08
Bass and catfish action good
By Terry Madewell

Terry Madewell Photo

Chip Hamilton was one happy angler with this prized striper caught on Lake Marion recently.

Despite the cold then warm, wet then dry ever-changing patterns lately, there have been some very good reports of largemouth bass action. The reports have come from both Lake Marion as well as area farm ponds. Ponds do warm quickly at this time of the year and two or three 70-degree plus days did put the largemouth in some ponds on a feeding binge. Some good reports were received from Lake Marion as well.

The catfish action is good and a few lingering reports of striper action are still being received on lakes Marion and Moultrie. Some excellent striper fishing is being enjoyed in other areas of the state, specifically on lakes Wateree, Murray and Hartwell right now as well.

It seems like the warm weather is having a big influence on the largemouth bass action for sure. Other good reports of shallow water largemouth action continue to filter in as well.

Best methods to take largemouth have been quite varied. Reports have been received from fishermen who were successful by working spinner baits. Some very good fish in the six-pound plus size class are being caught on bottom bumping baits with both jigs and trailers and plastic worms are producing decent action, according to recent reports. When the water temperature begins to really dip down, you can expect live bait, big shiners particularly, to produce very good bass fishing action.

The catfish action, especially for the blue catfish, has been an on and off affair over the past couple of weeks. Basically the action has been pretty good, but the cold, then warm, weather patterns do put a hitch in the overall scheme of fishing because it can cause fishing patterns to change dramatically almost overnight. Some days the fish seem to be congregated up real well, other days, particularly if the water has warmed a few degrees, the fish are much more scattered.

The crappie news is fair by fishing live bait in deep water in 10-18 feet of water based on recent reports.

The striper action has slowed, but you may still get in on some action. Some of the best fishing seems to have been by drifting bucktails tipped with live bait, or just live bait. Shad are the preferred live bait, but shiners will work very well if you can’t get shad. Find the areas where the baitfish congregate and drift your lure or bait at the depth the shad are schooled.

Fishing action along the South Carolina coast continues to be good for trout and for redfish, with fishing success reported around the Charleston to Georgetown area. Jigs for trout and live mud minnows or gold spoons for the redfish have both been very productive.