Freshwater Fishing Trends
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Piedmont Area
Lake Russell
Black bass: Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in January bass should still be caught deeper in the main lake and at the mouths of creeks. They will be caught on jigging spoons, drop shots, and jigs. Often they will be grouped up with other species and especially on live bait you can catch a mixed bag.
Striped bass: Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that in January the bite should be even better than in December as fish should get into tighter groups in the cold. Whether you opt to search for feeding fish by throwing artificials or covering water by pulling herring on free-lines and planer boards, following the birds is key.
Crappie and perch: Guide Wendell Wilson reports that in January he will not target crappie, but white and yellow perch should be caught in excellent numbers and they will pick up a few crappie. The fish will take minnows or spoons fished around deeper schools of bait.
Catfish: Guide Jerry Kotal reports that January is not a month when very many people will be targeting catfish on Russell, but if you concentrate on deep water you can pick up a few channel catfish around bait schools. Most anglers will catch catfish as a by-catch this month.
Most detailed Lake Russell Updates
Clarks Hill (Lake Thurmond)
Black bass: Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that in January patterns will depend on weather conditions, but there should be a big group of fish in the creek ditches that can be caught on blade baits. Sometimes they will go shallow. There should also be a group of deeper fish out on the main lake that can be caught on underspins, jigs, or swimbaits fished over humps and around bait.
Striper and hybrids bass: Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that during January fish could get harder to catch in cold conditions, but usually they will continue to feed as they fatten up in preparation for their attempt to spawn. Continue to look for the birds and bait to locate fish in the deep channels. Although free-lines and planer boards will be popular ways to catch fish, down-rods should also be reliable.
Crappie: Little River Guide Service reports that in January some fish should still be on mid-depth brush piles and submerged timber, but others will be suspended in the creek channels. Crappie will eat minnows or jigs tipped with minnows this month. It can be one of the more difficult months to catch crappie on Lake Thurmond. .
Catfish: Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that January can sometimes be a good month for catching big catfish on Lake Thurmond, but the drastic cold snaps and general swings in temperature can also make fishing inconsistent. Some days they may feed heavily, and then they may not feed for the next couple of days. In general anchoring on deep structure is the most consistent way to catch large blue and flathead catfish this month. Gizzard shad and white perch are hard to beat for the bigger fish.
Most detailed Lake Thurmond Updates
Lake Wylie
Bass bass: Tournament angler Reid McGinn of Fort Mill reports that in January the pattern will depend on weather and water conditions, but crankbaits, Alabama rigs, and jigs should all produce. Birds can often indicate the best areas to fish. When conditions get muddy it can push fish shallower, but as the water clears fish will often return to deeper water.
Crappie and perch: Captain Chris Nichols (704-860-7951) reports that in January numbers of fish will often be set up in the front sections of creeks in relatively deep water. The best way to target them is usually with a double minnow rig fished vertically, although particularly crappie around brush will also take jigs. Again, water conditions can matter.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in January water temperatures should be below 50 degrees, and that means some of the biggest fish of the year will be caught. In a typical year the best fish will come drifting deep water with cut bait on the lower end of the main lake, but the action in deeper sections of creeks can also be good.
Most detailed Lake Wylie Updates
Midlands Area
Lake Greenwood
Black bass: Tournament angler Stan Gunter of Greenwood reports that the bass pattern in January is largely dependent on the weather and water conditions, and some years a crankbait fishes well shallow. When temperatures are cold and the water is relatively clear a jigging spoon can be effective, but the most reliable largemouth pattern in January on Lake Greenwood is usually throwing an Alabama rig around points, docks and more. However, with the increased numbers of spotted bass fishing offshore in open water with minnow-type swimbaits is perhaps the best way to catch numbers of bass much of the year including January.
Crappie: Captain Roland Addy (864-980-3672) reports that in January most of the crappie on Lake Greenwood will be found suspended where the creeks meet the main channel. In colder conditions they will move towards the main channel and closer to the bottom, while in warmer conditions they often move more towards the creeks and shallower. Jigs tipped with minnows can be a strong 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 January, but overall it is a slow month.
Most detailed Lake Greenwood Updates
Lake Monticello
Black bass: Tournament angler Eric Enlow of Union reports that the quality of bass fishing in January on Lake Monticello can vary. However, the best way to catch fish is usually with a jigging spoon in deep water. An Alabama rig or jerkbait fished in mid-depths can also catch fish suspending off the bottom or transitioning to shallower water, and of course minnow-type swimbaits are increasingly popular for offshore fishing.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that January is another good month to catch big fish on Lake Monticello, although cold fronts and up-and-down weather can make the bite a little unpredictable. Anchoring around deep structure is usually the best pattern, and 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 the pattern in January will depend on water conditions, and if the water is dirty then throwing a crankbait around the banks is likely to be the most effective pattern. In clearer water a jigging a spoon should work this month, and an Alabama rig can also be effective. Lots of anglers will also be following bait schools and throwing minnow-style baits on a jighead at fish.
Striped bass: Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that in January on Lake Murray fish should continue to be caught on free-lines, on planer boards, and by casting at birds. However, if it gets very cold then some fish should go deep and be caught on spoons bumped off the bottom or live bait fished deeper.
Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor and veteran angler Tommy Slice of Chapin report that in January tight-lining for suspended fish up the rivers should be effective, particularly on steep ledges. However, if there is a hard cold front then fish will hunker down and move into deeper water where they will be caught fishing right off the bottom on minnows and jigs.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that the quality of the bite in January will depend on water conditions, but drifting or anchoring with cut bait in the channels is likely to be the most consistent pattern. If it gets very cold then fish should group up tighter in deeper areas, but in warmer periods they may move up on the flats to feed. Muddy water on Murray usually slows the bite.
Most detailed Lake Murray Updates
Lake Wateree
Black bass: Tournament angler Dearal Rodgers of Camden reports that in January fish will still be in steep areas with access to deep water, but with the spawn approaching they should start to feed better. Crankbaits, worms and jigs fished around rock should catch fish.
Striped bass: Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that in January there should continue to be lots of 3-7 pound striper caught on the lower end of the lake around birds. Drifting live bait and casting or trolling swimbaits will work.
Crappie: Tournament angler Will Hinson of Cassatt reports that, depending upon water conditions, in January the best numbers of Wateree crappie should be caught tight-lining minnows along the river channel or casting jigs in the same section. Late this month some of the shallower creeks could also turn on.
Catfish: Captain Rodger Taylor reports that in January 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. When there is a lot of current it can be a great time to catch a monster Wateree blue.
Most detailed Lake Wateree Updates
Santee Cooper
Black bass: Captain David Murdaugh, Sr. (843-452-9566) reports that to start January fishing a Chatterbait around the grass may still be the best way to catch fish. However, in January he does expect a Rattle Trap and an Alabama rig to be very effective. While many fish will still be relatively shallow this month, some fish will also be caught around deeper brush.
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 live bait on down-rods is usually the best pattern. There is also always the possibility for schooling activity.
Crappie and Bream: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that both species bit in December around mid-depth brush piles, but in January they will likely move deeper and get less active. Minnows will work the best for crappie and crickets for bream – if they are still feeding.
Catfish: Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that usually the best two January patterns are drifting deep water with cut herring, shad, or white perch – or anchoring in shallow water with similar baits around structure like mussel beds. Sometimes the very biggest fish will be surprisingly shallow during the coldest months while numbers of fish of varying sizes are often deeper.
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 January many fish will be in deep water, and one deep pattern is to concentrate efforts off points near the dam. Another group of fish can be caught around bait schools in the rivers. Fish will take drop shot rigs, jerkbaits, swimbaits, underspins, and more this month.
Trout: Guide Sam Jones (864-280-9056) reports that in December the trout fishing picked up, and January should continue to improve. Fish will be as shallow as they can be found all year, and they will take both live bait and artificial lures. This is one of the best months of the year to catch big fish.
Most detailed Lake Jocassee Updates
Lake Keowee
Black Bass: Guide Charles Townson (864-324-2065) reports that in the cold of January fish will be caught very deep on Lake Keowee where they are following bait. Fishing with a jigging spoon is usually about the best way to catch them. There are shallower patterns such as fishing a jerkbait or even soft plastics off points or steep banks, but the deep bite is most consistent.
Most detailed Lake Keowee Updates
Lake Hartwell
Black Bass: Guide Lane Clark (864-254-8614) reports that in January one pattern is to target deep water with drop shot rigs, underspins, jigging spoons, or football jigs. Fish will be mixed between the main lake and deeper creek channels. There can also be a very early pre-spawn bite when fish start to move up around slightly shallower brush where they will eat a jig or Ned rig.
Striper and hybrids: Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that the January patterns should look fairly similar to those from December, and fish will still be in the same areas up the rivers where the bait is holding – typically in 35-45 feet of water. However, sometimes the bite slows down from December and it can help to wait a little later in the day until things warm up. Most of the action will come on down-rods, although on the warmest days there is the chance to catch a big fish pulling planer boards or free lines in the creeks when afternoon sun can make them ease up shallow into less than 20 feet of water.
Crappie: Captain Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that in January fish should be caught around deep docks and bridges in both the creeks and on the main lake, as well as around standing timber. Jigs and minnows will both work.
Catfish: Captain Bill Plumley reports that in January some blue catfish may be catchable that have moved shallower out of the deep timber, but the easiest fish to target may be those that are still deep but over clean bottoms. A variety of cut baits will work. Channel catfish and flatheads will be close to dormant.
Most detailed Lake Hartwell updates
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