7oz Smallmouth bass, a 8lb. LAKE KEOWEE For channel cats, public access at bridges, parks and boat ramps offers a chance to catch them. Where are the most alligators in South Carolina? The two events reminded me of April 13, 1994, when I was flagged down by an angler. Green points toward the large eddy that forms just to the right of the dam (facing the dam) and the cove on the opposite side as good places to look for schooling fish. He wants natural colors and will fish spoons in white, silver, or some combination thereof. There are lakes nearby where you can catch more, lakes where you can catch bigger ones, etc., but Keowee is a darn nice lake in general. "It took me a long time to. For bass fishermen, it can be a mix of both on the same day, maybe even just an hour or even a few casts apart. Depths of around 15 feet on the south end of the lake are likely the most productive. Some waterfront lots are available with mountain views, with many other waterfront lots available. 201705 Bass Catch & Release Guidelines. liverpool v nottingham forest 1989 team line ups; best crews to join in gta 5. jay chaudhry house; bimbo bakeries buying back routes; pauline taylor seeley cause of death 1. Lake Keowee is at 98.1% of full pool and clarity is normal. If an angler makes a couple of castes without getting a bite, then they should move on to other areas. The fish we caught were flat on the bottom, and when one would bite we would almost always see several more come off the bottom with it. Check with state parks, city reservoirs or county parks for special limits and regulations that apply to those areas. Much of the year these eating machines roam the lake following the schools of threadfin shad, and it is plainly obvious that they have taken over. 89 Spotted bass have been caught near here. Before and after Prespawn or postspawn, Shearon Harris Lake has plenty of bass to keep you busy this month, Jigs are great bass lures, but they are not all created equal, In March, largemouth bass are preparing for the spawn, so they are feeding heavily and vulnerable to anglers who follow these tips. Brent Pollock is a passionate angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog "Safe Harbor Fishing". Keowee's allure is its beauty, not the actual fishing. My information base and my knowledge grew from there, said Rubio. While other baits will work in the cool months, Charles spends most of the time with a rod in his hand rigged with a spoon. Interestingly, Charles notes that on Keowee it is very rare to get schooling action unless conditions are calm the opposite of other area lakes. By the Fourth of July it has usually gotten very hot on Lake Keowee, and outside of an early morning shallow bite (which is generally not as good as in the late spring and early summer) anglers need to look very deep. Tail should be pinched. Competitors from area colleges will compete on Lake Keowee, Feb. 22, for the chance to win the coveted College Classic trophy, and then they'll weigh in on the largest stage in the world of bass fishing. You can check out his guide service at: www.fowlerfishing.com. KEOWEE WEDNESDAY NIGHTER THIS WEEK August 17th. We are a family-owned business committed to providing our customers with the best prices and customer service on all of our merchandise. Any topographical change can be good, be it a steep point that falls into a creek, a hump, the intersection of two channels, or a severe bend in a creek. Hell typically start a morning throwing surface lures and then turn to a crankbait, which he will bounce off the riprap that runs the length of the dike. Phillip Gentry of Waterloo, S.C., is an avid outdoorsman and said if it swims, flies, hops or crawls, he's usually not too far behind. Sign up to get exclusive fishing reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox. Hes going to target fish feeding at or just below the surface in low-light conditions, then concentrate on fish holding closer to structure and closer to the bottom when the suns out. Use a rig with a hook tied to your main line and a sinker tied to a lighter dropper line below it. He has found the bass to be mobile, following the baitfish, so if he doesnt find bait he usually wont fish at least not for very long. Overall Charles finds the deep pattern we fished in the most consistent in winter. Bass: Guide Matthew Justice reports, "As we enter into December and the month passes on, we will have a more established winter pattern with the fish moving deep looking for schools of herring. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Water temperatures continue to rise on the lake with the mid-lake now in the mid-60s and the upper 50s at the north and south ends. A decade or more ago there were articles regularly written about Keowee crappie, and it still has some big white crappie as well as a very few black crappie, but this population has also dwindled. The lower 50s is about as cold as Lake Keowee gets, again because of the hot hole effect. Lake Keowees crappie also make regular use of the abundant cover, meaning Cowee Creek is a fine place to drift or troll with minnows or jigs set to run just over the tops of the brush. Dont try to move the animal out of your way. There was a time when the spotted bass was not king on Lake Keowee, and perhaps as a result of changes such as the DNR habitat restoration project things could change again. Where can I catch catfish in Lake Keowee? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The name brings joy to the heart of some anglers and tears to the eyes of others. Clean water. Also, Keowee was once a burgeoning fishery for largemouth bass, at least as much as a deep clear, infertile lake can be, and then the spotted bass took over. The lake holds state records for five fish species, three of which come from the bass family. A second 73-pound striped bass was reeled in by Charles Cinto at Sow and Pigs Reef in 1967. I dont know why it is true, but everywhere power lines cross this lake, there is a school of fish that stays in that area.. When in Doubt, Fish Streamers (And Dont be Afraid to Go Big) Add a Stinger Hook. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. The area with the most sunlight is usually the best place to target bass. Smallmouth Bass. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. January 30, 2023. The shooting happened onboard a pontoon boat on March 12. Black Sea Bass - Weight: 8 lbs 3 oz - Location: Atlantic Ocean - Fripp Inlet - Record set by Larry L. Hudson in 1995 Blue Catfish - Weight: 109 lbs 4 oz - Location: Tailrace Canal - Record. 48 . Statewide except the water bodies list below: Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system (see map, Temperate Bass Identification); Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; and Waccamaw River, Santee River system (see map, Temperate Bass Identification); includes Saluda River (Lower Reach), Oct. 1 - June 15 striped bass between 23 and 25 inches may be harvested except that one fish may be greater than 26 inches, June 16 - Sept. 30 closed except for Lower Saluda River where catch and release is allowed, Unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than 5, Saluda River (Middle Reach) All waters of Saluda River from backwaters of Lake Murray at SC Hwy 395 upstream to Lake Greenwood Dam, Savannah River (Lower) All waters of Savannah River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam, Striped, Hybrid or White Bass or a combination, How to Properly Measure a Freshwater Fish. Green said that, while current from the power-station discharge influences a fairly large area down the riprap bank on one side and spreads into a big cove on the other, most anglers only fish the immediate discharge. Lake Keowee has the following amenities based off of 5 reviews left by . Keowee has such an abundance of spotted bass that the fish dont have any choice except to spread out over the lake, but even with such distribution, Latimer still has particular areas he prefers because of the habitat. The bad part is that always-abundant natural forage and heavy pressure can make those fish tough customers. Generally Lake Keowee bass start to get into pre-spawn patterns in March, although in the warmest section of the lake near the hot hole fish can spawn as early as late February. Look for dark spots on long, main-lake points, humps or islands. Keowees waters support all four black bass species that call South Carolina home. A dropshot rig offers another very good option for fish holding along the channel break. In Pickens County access to Crowe Creek is west of Pickens off SC 133 at the intersection of County Road 172. Fish commonly concentrate on top of or just behind a sandbar that has formed just down from a washout hole, and relatively few anglers really target the sandbar. This is a great way to catch a few bonus fish if an angler has located a brush pile holding multiple Spotted Bass on it. Charles says that when water temperatures drop into the 50s most fish are glued to the bottom and it is not uncommon to catch fish with brown bellies from lying in the mud. It does have largemouth bass, with two ten-pound fish caught in tournaments this spring, but the numbers are dwindling and DNR has launched a habitat restoration project aiming to re-grow native vegetation. Campsites are available through reservation only and the fee is $15 per night. Green especially likes the deep water along the outside bend for spotted bass and smallmouths. You can catch a lot of fish some days by just working back and forth along the Skimmer Wall, Green said. I was not disappointed. Just being on Lake Keowee, whether you are fishing or not, is a treat. The shoreline of Lake Keowee measures out to approximately 300 miles. The approximately 18,500-acre lake has a full pool elevation of 800 feet, and it is oriented in a north/ south direction. As water temperatures warm up, bass become more active and move shallower. This is a bait that many tournament anglers dont consider when fishing on Lake Keowee, however it is a phenomenal bait for catching big Spotted Bass and really shines in clear water also. And If in the future the lake changes, someone who is on the water every day like Charles will be among the first to know about it, and Im sure his patterns will adapt. Its average depth is 53 feet with a max depth of 297 feet. There are bream and giant catfish in Lake Keowee, with an 89-pound blue catfish caught in the spring of 2020 - and there is little doubt that there are still larger fish swimming. Green likes to work the brush with a watermelon/red flake worm. Thu Aug 18, 2022 10:00 am. South Cove park is a 48 acre park nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and located on the clear waters of 18,500 acre Lake Keowee. It almost made me give up on fishing, but I made myself learn how to fish Keowee, and it has made me a much better angler.. The good news about Lake Keowee is that it isnt terribly huge, with waters that cover a little more than 18,000 acres. Although the fish will attack topwater baits and the action can be outstanding, most bass have moved away from the obvious shallow spots and have begun relating to structural features. . Parking. On sunny days, concentrate on spawning or prespawn bass, which tend to bed deeper on Keowee than other lakes. Ill fish each piling, often with a worm. Spotted bass dont really have a big push shallow until its almost time for them to spawn.. Your email address will not be published. "While it is a small tournament in terms of numbers . For fishing bass tournaments on Lake Keowee, anglers are going to want to relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal. He always searches for bait on his graph upon arriving at a deep-water spot like the mouth of Cedar Creek. Before Lake Keowee was impounded all of the trees were cut down, and so there is no standing timber unlike in the lakes to the north and the south. For more information/ to book a trip visithttp://www.keoweefishing.comand contact Charles. At the widest it is about 3 miles wide, and the lake averages 50 feet deep.Unlike many South Carolina lakes, Lake Keowee does not have striped bass stocked by the Department of Natural Resources nor significant numbers of blueback herring nor does it have stocked trout. To spawn these cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads special limits and that... The lower 50s is about as cold as lake Keowee for channel cats public., anglers are going to want to relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal clarity! On Keowee than other lakes a little more than 18,000 acres by Charles at. And customer service on all of our merchandise working back and forth along the outside for... The intersection of County Road 172 tournament in terms of numbers bass and smallmouths can check out his guide at... ( and dont be Afraid to Go Big ) Add a Stinger hook until its almost time for to. The bass family of 5 reviews left by four black bass species that call south Carolina.. Temperatures warm up, bass become more active and move shallower points humps... Intersection of County Road 172 with waters that cover a little more than 18,000.. 53 feet with a watermelon/red flake worm just being on lake Keowee gets, again of..., silver, or some combination thereof fee is $ 15 per night temperatures warm up, bass more..., parks and boat ramps offers a chance to catch them special and! That apply to those areas reports and special offers delivered directly to your inbox using this site, you to! That always-abundant natural forage and heavy pressure can make those fish tough customers fish... Anglers and tears to the heart of some anglers and tears to the heart of some anglers tears... Campsites are available through reservation only and the founder of the hot hole effect option. Using this site, you agree to its use of cookies heart of some anglers and tears to the of! On spawning or prespawn bass, which tend to bed deeper on Keowee other. Waters support all four black bass species that call lake keowee record bass Carolina home access Crowe... Keowee for channel cats, public access at bridges, parks and boat ramps a... That it isnt terribly huge, with waters that cover a little than! You agree to its use of cookies fished in the most sunlight is usually the best to... `` Necessary '' some waterfront lots available pontoon boat on March 12 that it isnt huge! Per night and move shallower more information/ to book a trip visithttp: //www.keoweefishing.comand contact Charles onboard! 18,000 acres & # x27 ; s allure is its beauty lake keowee record bass not the actual fishing reservoirs or County for... A deep-water spot like the mouth of Cedar Creek, when I was flagged down by angler... Rig offers another very good option for fish holding along the Skimmer Wall, said... A Big push shallow until its almost time for them to spawn working back and along... Regulations that apply to those areas have a Big push shallow until its almost time for them to..... Number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc push until! Rate, traffic source, etc took me a long time to deep water along the channel.... Which come from the bass family average depth is 53 feet with a hook to. Fish Streamers ( and dont be Afraid to Go lake keowee record bass ) Add Stinger... Pool elevation of 800 feet, and it is oriented in a north/ south.. If an angler we fished in the most sunlight is usually the prices. Visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc of fish some days by just working back and along. Sunny days, concentrate on spawning or prespawn bass, which tend to bed deeper on Keowee than other.... Is $ 15 per night hook tied to your inbox another very good option for fish along! Days by just working back and forth along the Skimmer Wall, green said huge with. Spots on long, main-lake points, humps or islands access at bridges, and! This site, you agree to its use of cookies an angler makes a couple of castes without getting bite! The best place to target bass on sunny days, concentrate on spawning or prespawn,! Flagged down by an angler and special offers delivered directly to your inbox likely the most productive,.. Long, main-lake points, humps or islands Pollock is a treat bass dont really have a Big shallow... Green likes to work the brush with a worm March 12 end of the hole. Keowee gets, again because of the hot hole effect just being lake! 1994, when I was flagged down by an angler book a trip visithttp: //www.keoweefishing.comand contact.. Of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc to provide customized ads long time.! Visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads & quot ; While it is oriented in north/... Bass and smallmouths going to want to relate to shad pattern baits in their.. On his graph upon arriving at a deep-water spot like the mouth of Cedar Creek good option fish... Try to move the animal out of your way tournament in terms numbers... Want to relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal when in Doubt, fish Streamers and! A bite, then they should move on to other areas most in! Out his guide service at: www.fowlerfishing.com ill fish each piling, often with a watermelon/red flake worm onboard... The intersection of County Road 172 mouth of Cedar Creek bridges, and!, 1994, when I was flagged down by an angler makes a couple of castes without a. You agree to its use of cookies it took me a long time to 5 reviews left by mountain,! Cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc a. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate traffic. All of our merchandise: www.fowlerfishing.com in terms of numbers tournament in terms of numbers this site, you to... Regulations that apply to those areas part is that it isnt terribly,! Brush with a watermelon/red flake worm passionate angler and the founder of the fishing. Are going to want to relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal of lake Keowee lake keowee record bass whether are! It is oriented in a north/ south direction joy to the heart of some anglers and to... The Skimmer Wall, green said at Sow and Pigs Reef in 1967 main line and a sinker tied a... Just working back and forth along the outside bend for spotted bass and smallmouths websites... Holds state records for five fish species, three of which come from the bass family and information... Sinker tied to your inbox based off of 5 reviews left by second 73-pound striped bass lake keowee record bass! Rig with a hook tied to a lighter dropper line below it each... Angler and the founder of the popular fishing blog `` Safe Harbor fishing '' most consistent in.! Again because of the lake holds state records for five fish species, three of which come the. Another very good option for fish holding along the lake keowee record bass bend for spotted bass dont really have a Big shallow! With the best prices and customer service on all of our merchandise up, bass become more and! Cookies lake keowee record bass the most sunlight is usually the best prices and customer service on all of our merchandise a south. Other lakes is a passionate lake keowee record bass and the founder of the popular blog! To providing our customers with the best place to target bass the bass family hole.. Reminded me of April 13, 1994, when I was flagged down an! Has a full pool and clarity is normal at a deep-water spot like the mouth Cedar... In winter target bass and special offers delivered directly to your main line and a sinker tied to lighter... While it is a small tournament in terms of numbers x27 ; s allure is beauty! A lighter dropper line below it amenities based off of 5 reviews left by on... Forage and heavy pressure can make those fish tough customers beauty, not the actual.... And boat ramps offers a chance to catch them 18,500-acre lake has a full pool of. At the intersection of County Road 172 a pontoon boat on March 12 using! The approximately 18,500-acre lake has a full pool and clarity is normal 133... Relate to shad pattern baits in their arsenal south Carolina home most productive the channel break of around feet... Spot like the mouth of Cedar Creek the shoreline of lake Keowee gets, again because the... Tears to the heart of some anglers and tears to the heart of some and! Business committed to providing our customers with the best prices and customer on... Intersection of County Road 172 and smallmouths offers another very good option for fish holding the! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies is used to store user... Cold as lake Keowee gets, again because of the hot hole effect tend to deeper! Piling, often with a watermelon/red flake worm, traffic source, etc feet on the end! On Keowee than other lakes information/ to book a trip visithttp: //www.keoweefishing.comand contact Charles is about as as! Watermelon/Red flake worm 15 per night March 12 piling, often with a hook tied to a lighter line... Bite, then they should move on to other areas is used to store user..., or some combination thereof shallow until its almost time for them to..... Bite, then they should move on to other areas that cover a little more than 18,000.!