Santee Cooper fishing report: February

It’s a transition month for multiple species

February may seem like just another winter month to most anglers, but to multiple fish species at the Santee Cooper lakes, it’s a time of transition.

And it’s not the kind of transition period that shuts down feeding, said Capt. Joe Dennis of Captain J Hook Charters and Chasin’ the Wild Outdoors TV.

Crappie

Especially by the middle of this month, Dennis said crappie will be heading to the shallows. They won’t all make it there this month, but they will at least be staging in water between 10 to 15 feet deep, with many even shallower than that.

Trolling with long lines is productive this month, but it’s not  the only technique putting slabs in the boat.

“You’ll also catch some crappie in shallow water by casting small jigs around shallow cover,” Dennis said.

“Don’t be in a hurry,” he said. “It’s best to retrieve it slow and steady. Let the lure fall freely here and there during the retrieve, and pay close attention to the line as the lure falls. If you see it twitch, that’s a bite.”

Catfish

Dennis said the catfish bite is also strong this month. And he said don’t be surprised if you see plenty of them caught from very shallow water.

“Plenty of anglers are having success in deep water this time of year, especially while drifing,” he said. “But it’s also good in shallow water around mussel beds.”

It’s the presence of American shad and saltwater herring, which push past the locks and into Santee Cooper’s waters, that prompts many catfish to move shallow this month. 

When it comes to mussel beds, Dennis said don’t overlook shallow humps in the middle of deep water. Some of these are very shallow, and are loaded with mussel beds.

“When catfish go to those mussel beds, they only go for one reason, and that is to feed,” Dennis said. “So if you find those beds in the middle of the lake, it shouldn’t take long for you to get hooked up.”

Stripers

February is also a great month for stripers on the Santee Cooper lakes. These fish are definitely on the move. Dennis said March typically offers a better striper bite than this month, but it’s still plenty good right now.

“Stripers are heading upstream and many of them will make it up the Wateree and Congaree rivers,” he said. “They’re feeling the natural urge to spawn, and the need to feed up to make that big push.

“It may be a little early for some anglers,” he said. “But it’s always good to get on that early-season striper bite.” ■