The late-fall and early-winter feasting on the 2024 shad class has fattened multiple fish species. With rapidly cooling water temperatures, shad group into large pods and predator fish target these pods.
A prime predator during the winter at Santee Cooper is the blue catfish.
Blue catfish thrive in the winter weather and low water temperatures of January, providing a dependable bite. Flathead and channel catfish are caught, but are less reliable targets.
The key, now more than most months, is to find these concentrated pods of shad, and the blues will be nearby.
Experienced fishermen use electronics to locate concentrations of forage when targeting specific species. Guide Kyle Austin specializes in bass and catfish, and said that while January requires some catfish-finding effort, the potential fish-catching opportunities are huge.
“Productive patterns are not difficult to determine, and the key is finding forage,” he said. “I keep an open mind about the best depths. It seems natural for catfish to be deep in mid-December through January, and that’s often the case. However, blue catfish will be close to a food source, including shallow water or mid-depths.
“I’ve learned not to make any pre-trip judgments about where I’ll find forage or catfish in January,” he said. “I’ll begin fishing where I’ve found catfish on recent trips and then fish deeper or shallower until I find forage with big fish marks associated with it.”
Numerous options
Austin said it’s typical for multiple productive patterns to exist this time of year. It’s not a situation where all the catfish will be shallow or deep.
“One of the many things I love about the Santee Cooper lakes is the diversity in water depths, bottom cover, and types of fishing opportunities fishermen can explore,” he said. “Multiple ways to reach the common goal of catching big catfish are available in both lakes. But one constant is having food available for catfish to eat.”
He said that catching a lot of catfish is a reasonable goal, and so is hooking big fish.
“I won’t say this is the best time of year for big catfish, but big catfish are available,” he said. “Blue catfish as a species seem to energize as the water temperatures get lower, not just here, but it’s a pattern for blue catfish throughout their range. January continues quality fishing that ramped up in November and December.”
Drift or tie up
Austin (843-209-3726; Kyle Austin Fishing on Facebook) said different tactics produce excellent results.
“Depending on water temperature, drift fishing can be very effective,” Austin said. “I use the traditional Santee rig and drag multiple rigs in areas where forage and fish are stacked. Typically, I’ll work around channel edges and deep holes when drifting. Anchoring is an option, and working the top of a channel ledge, along the slope, or in the deep channel are productive options. Patterns change daily. Again, follow the shad.”
Another pattern that becomes dependable in January is what Austin refers to as “Stump Jumping.” While it sounds like something a crappie angler would enjoy, it works on catfish, and he specifically targets the lower end of Lake Marion for this tactic.
“From the Wilson Dam all the way up to the I-95 bridge, a tremendous amount of timber remained on the flats in the main lake when inundated,” he said. “Ditches and deep holes litter these flats, and the depth range is ideal for shad to congregate, thus making it great for finding catfish in January.”
Austin sets up on areas by tying to a tree or stump and fan casting around the boat. Unlike drifting, he doesn’t recommend patience when stump jumping. If bites don’t occur within a few minutes, Austin moves, often only 100 yards. But he searches until he finds the sweet spot.
His favored baits for January are cut blueback herring, gizzard shad, and white perch.
Water temperatures are low, but fishermen’s odds of success are high in beating the winter blues.
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