4/12/07

Fishing still good despite cold front
By Terry Madewell

With record setting cold temperatures over the weekend, the fishing activity seemed to slow down a bit. The frontal system probably slowed the fishing action down in shallow water as well. However by mid-week, things should be back to the excellent fishing we were enjoying just before the frontal passage. It seems this year we’re getting a strong front ripping through our areas every time the shallow water fishing gets really strong.

But the good fishing seems to pop right back into place within a few days.

The largemouth bass fishing continues to be very good. The biggest problem was the high winds over the weekend associated with the severe front. But those that fished did catch some quality fish. Although from the reports received, the overall numbers of bass caught was down a bit. But it was still a good time to hook a “hawg.”

Catches are still being made with just about everything that’s fishable in shallow water producing good fishing action. Plastic worms, spinner baits, jigs and grub, crank baits and even top water lures are producing good action. Most of the fish are being taken in relatively shallow water, in depths ranging from the surface down to 6-8 feet of water.

Crappie action is still very good, when the wind wasn’t blowing too hard, by drifting minnows or trolling jigs. The action is consistent in water depths from 8-20 feet deep. Limit catches of slabs are being taken throughout both of the lakes right now.

Striper action is still good and some decent catches have been reported despite the cold front. Success is being reported on herring and cut bait. Look for this to steadily improve as water conditions get better.

Catfishing action remains very good in the lake and in the Wateree and Congaree rivers. The blue catfish action is best using herring and shad and the channel catfish are being taken on smaller cut bait and night crawlers. Live bait is best for the big flatheads and some big fish have been taken recently.

The shellcracker and bream fishing is still good. Crickets have been best for the bream and worms for the shellcracker. Both species have begun to really improve in the past week.

Fishing along the South Carolina coast continues to be excellent for bottom fishing for black sea bass offshore. Some tuna are now beginning to be caught as well, based on very recent reports. Inshore, the action on redfish using mud minnows as bait has been good.