A public comment period for a proposed red snapper season, which could impact South Carolina anglers, is set to close on August 25. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries is currently accepting feedback on the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Exempted Fishing Permit proposal. If approved, this permit would allow South Carolina to implement a 31-day red snapper season in October, focusing on new data collection methods and state-directed harvest management. The goal is to demonstrate that recreational fishing can coexist with healthy fish populations through accurate, real-time data.
For anglers in the Aiken area looking to fish closer to home, the Santee Cooper lakes offer opportunities despite the summer heat. Captain Joe Dennis, who guides on the Santee Cooper lakes, suggests targeting catfish during high temperatures. Catfish can be found at various depths, from 5 to 6 feet to 55 feet. They tend to be in shallower waters in the early morning and move to deeper areas as the sun rises. Some catfish remain in deep water, while others stay in mid-depths of 12 to 15 feet.
Dennis recommends drift fishing for catfish in 10 to 20 feet of water using cut shad and herring. Drifting in 18 to 30 feet has also been productive with Santee Cooper rigs and fresh herring. Smaller channel catfish are being caught in the Diversion Canal using shrimp and various stink baits. Nighttime fishing for catfish is also a good option, with catfish moving to shallower waters after dark, using the same baits and rigs.
Bream are expected to be on the bed by the full moon at the end of August. Anglers can find good numbers of bream on brush in 15 to 30 feet of water on Lake Moultrie. On Lake Marion, bream can be found in grass beds, shaded cypress trees, and lily pads in 2 to 5 feet of water. For crappie, fishing brush in 20 to 30 feet of water with small jigs and live minnows is advised.
Captain Kyle Austin notes that the August pattern for largemouth bass is similar to July. In early mornings, anglers should watch for bass on the surface and use walking topwater baits. Later in the day, bass can be found in 10 to 20 feet of water along ledges, brush, stumps, offshore grass, and rock piles, using big Texas-rigged worms, deep-diving crankbaits, or jerk baits.
