February is big bass time at Santee Cooper

Brett Mitchell loves fishing the Santee Cooper lakes for bass during February. (Picture by Terry Madewell)

The first 70-degree day in February can significantly impact Santee Cooper fishermen. First, it makes just about everyone wish they were already fishing. And many will get their gear prepped and ready to go fishing soon.

February is a tricky month weather-wise, with short bursts of cold air temperatures as fronts blow through. But it’s also when spring-like weather beckons anglers to return to the water. And for those in the know, February begins a trend with water temperatures gradually warming. Warming water makes good things happen in the largemouth bass fishing world, and trophy bass are among the first to get on the move toward the shallows.

With his extensive experience as a professional fishing guide and tournament angler, Brett Mitchell from Timmonsville, SC, has caught many huge bass during February.

“Based on many years of bass fishing experience, I think February is a prime time for big bass. And while spawning time is weeks away, I know many trophy bass begin their pre-spawn move early and are catchable now.”

Mitchell has fished the Santee Cooper lakes most of his life, and his passion for early-season fishing is well-founded. His largest bass, 14 pounds, was caught from Lake Marion in mid-February, 1986.

Mitchell (803-379-7029) guides out of Blacks Camp and fishes throughout both lakes depending on daily water and weather conditions. Unlike many lakes in the Carolinas, because of extensive areas of shallow water on these lakes, success isn’t based on deepwater tactics. Most of his big bass success comes from water 8 feet deep and less.

“I’ll fish areas where the depth changes along the bottom, and even subtle depth changes attract and hold big bass in these lakes,” he said. “These depressions and ledges are enhanced when littered with stumps, trees, or logs, making these objects ideal ambush points for big bass. I’ll target rocks this time of year, with isolated rocks, rocky ledges, or riprap, all productive.”

Mitchell said that while the fish-finding process may require some searching to find the right spots, patience is key.

“February is not just about catching a lot of bass, but about the potential to catch a trophy,” he said.

He employs lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and lipped crankbaits that dig into the 5- to 7-foot depths when fishing the rocky areas.

Flooded trees and stumps are great targets for Santee Cooper’s bass fishermen this month.

Mitchell said he’s quick to adapt to conditions when bass fishing. He knows productive areas change daily based on weather conditions and water color, requiring anglers to be flexible and responsive.

“Fronts often push bass from shallower back to slightly deeper water, so the difference between a pre-front and post-front bite can be quite different,” Mitchell said. “It usually requires a tactical change from finding fish in 2 feet of water during pre-frontal conditions to slightly deeper water in post-frontal conditions.”

Mitchell uses electronics to find forage in an area because forage is a good sign for bass to be nearby. The presence of loons is also a good sign of forage in the area.

His favored lures for depressions and ledges include lipless crankbaits that enable him to make long casts and cover more area when searching for fish. He’ll use shallow running crankbaits around the edges of depressions and holes. Twin-spin spinnerbaits are effective, especially when working stumps and logs in February.

While many bass anglers target cypress and gum trees later in the spring, Mitchell said he’ll fish the trees in slightly deeper water this time of year.

“During February, I’ll work trees in 2 ½ to 3 ½ feet of water because big bass stage on these deeper trees,” he said. “My ideal target is a single or small cluster of trees, isolated from other trees.”

He said soft plastics are excellent for working trees because pinpoint casting accuracy is a difference maker, and spinnerbaits are also effective. The closer the lure is to the tree, the higher your odds of a bite.

Go now for big bass on Santee Cooper. Plenty of big fish will be available in March, but starting now can increase your odds of catching the bass of a lifetime.

About Terry Madewell 830 Articles
Award-winning writer and photographer Terry Madewell of Ridgeway, S.C., has been an outdoors writer for more than 30 years. He has a degree in wildlife and fisheries management and has a long career as a professional wildlife biologist/natural resources manager.

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