Lake Wylie is at 98% of full pool.
Catfish: Good. Captain Rodger Taylor (803-517-7828) reports that fishing for channels and blues has been strong over the past few weeks, with some very large channels and lots of very nice blues up to 44 pounds caught on his boat. Blues and channels are mixed together around the deep flats, but the blues seem to be especially keyed in on depth changes. They are holding in small schools near the river drops or humps with sharp inclines as well as at the mouths of major creeks bordering deep flats. 30-35 feet of water has been a good starting pointing, and especially when there is a decent breeze drifting has been effective. Cut shad have been working well but tougher cut white perch have been more effective at times for Captain Taylor.
Largemouth Bass: Slow. FLW Professional and Guide Matt Arey (704-484-7715) reports that bass fishing has been much tougher than usual and tournament weights have been way down on Lake Wylie. Fish are starting to get bunched up around deeper channel swings and in their traditional winter haunts, but basically they are still scattered and won’t tighten up until temperatures drop further. Bass are 100% focused on shad right now. Alabama rigs have been as good as anything, and while that bite isn’t strong right now it is as good as anything. As temperatures drop jerkbaits will also become more and more effective. Another good option is to throw a small, single tail grub on a 1/8 or 3/16 ounce jughead. Spinning tackle and 6 pound line is critical to feel the lure’s action and to let the bait sink fast enough.
DHEC Fish Advisories: Due to PCB advisories visit http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/fish/Advisories/hartwell.htm before consuming any Lake Wylie fish.
