South Carolina Fishing Reports

The Bassmaster Elite Series just wrapped a landmark week at Lake Murray — Paul Marks claimed his second Elite title with a four-day total of 90 pounds, 14 ounces (B.A.S.S. News). The tour now shifts to Santee Cooper's Lake Marion and Moultrie, where B.A.S.S. News fantasy analysts describe the system as "target rich" with endless cypress trees and laydowns. The Broad River feeder (USGS 02160390) is running at 187 cfs as of May 11 — moderate-low and stable, suggesting clean reservoir inflows with no significant runoff muddying the main lake. Post-spawn bass are transitioning: Tactical Bassin (blog) reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing, drawing big largemouth into shallow heavy cover. A waning crescent moon compresses active feeding to the first light of day. Get on the water at dawn for the best topwater window.

May 11

Water temps reached 76°F at NOAA buoy 41004 off Charleston on May 11 — solidly in the range that triggers the spring red drum push inshore anglers count on each year. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater confirms bull red drum are making a strong move along the Carolina coast, with schools reported working nearshore shoals around the Cape Lookout area; that same seasonal momentum typically reaches Charleston Harbor structure by mid-May. Offshore, the 2026 season just got far more attractive: Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag both report that federal approval of exempted fishing permits has unlocked a greatly expanded South Atlantic red snapper season for South Carolina anglers — a sharp reversal from last year's two-day allotment. Light breezes and 2-foot swells at the buoy are keeping conditions comfortable for both harbor runs and the short offshore haul this week.

May 11

Paul Marks' dominant four-day, 90-pound, 14-ounce victory at the Tedy's Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray is the strongest on-water signal of the week: largemouth bass are firing on this system, per B.A.S.S. News. Marks, known for cracking herring-lake patterns, executed a mid-round adjustment late in the tournament that separated him from a deep field, indicating fish are actively tracking shad and threadfin herring in the water column. USGS gauge 02160390 is logging a stable 198 cfs, consistent with good water clarity typical of late-spring runoff on SC tributaries. Water temperature was not available from the gauge at time of writing; typical mid-May readings on Lake Murray run the upper 60s to low 70s°F. The waning crescent moon eases overnight spawning pressure and daytime reaction bites should remain consistent. Tactical Bassin reports the bluegill spawn is in full swing across the Southeast — a reliable cue for shallow topwater strikes on post-spawn bass through mid-May.

May 11

Water temperatures logged at 74°F by NOAA buoy 41004 place Charleston Harbor squarely in its most productive spring window. Regionally, Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports red drum making a strong push onto Carolina beaches, with bull drum active around nearshore coastal shoals — patterns that typically extend through the South Carolina Low Country during mid-May. Black drum are also showing along NC surf zones, and structure-holding sheepshead remain a consistent target with fiddler crabs and live shrimp around docks and bridge pilings. Cobia are prime migration quarry at 74°F; the species typically stages around buoys, channel ledges, and floating structure from now through June. Saltwater Sportsman reports that South Atlantic states including SC will see greatly expanded red snapper access in 2026 under new federal EFP pilot programs — check SCDNR for specific open dates before planning an offshore run. Light winds and 2-foot wave heights from station 41004 point to comfortable nearshore and harbor conditions heading into the weekend.

May 10

Brandon Cobb, South Carolina's hometown pro, entered the final day of the Tedy's Team Bassmaster Elite at Lake Murray leading the field with a three-day total of 67 pounds, 3 ounces, per B.A.S.S. News — a concrete sign that largemouth are stacking on mid-lake structure and feeding hard. B.A.S.S. News coverage noted herring schools are complicating presentations for the Elite field, but anglers who positioned on bait have consistently cashed in; Andrew Loberg reinforced the point by sacking 21 pounds, 4 ounces on Day 3 despite a hand injury from a prop mishap. Flow on the Saluda system is stable at 238 cfs (USGS gauge 02160390), keeping lake levels predictable and ramp access clean. With bass in full post-spawn transition toward ledges and channel breaks, Murray is fishing about as well as it does all year. Santee-Cooper's striper and catfish fisheries are simultaneously entering their productive late-spring window as water temperatures continue their seasonal climb.

May 10

NOAA buoy 41004 recorded a water temperature of 75°F off South Carolina's coast this morning — well into the warm range that activates the Lowcountry's most sought-after species. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports bull red drum working shoal areas along the Carolina coast, a pattern consistent with what anglers typically encounter in Charleston Harbor's tidal creeks and marsh edges during early May. The same source notes black drum and early pompano showing at nearshore Carolinas locations to the north, a sign that warming-water species are pushing through the region. Sheepshead are a reliable May target around dock pilings and oyster bars; regional interest in the species is elevated — North Carolina regulators recently adopted a temporary sheepshead harvest rule, per Fisherman's Post. Offshore, both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm that South Atlantic red snapper seasons have been significantly expanded under 2026 pilot programs, opening new opportunities for South Carolina anglers with offshore range.

May 7

USGS gauge 02160390 on the Saluda River recorded a steady 138 cfs at 2:45 a.m. on May 7, reflecting stable tributary flow into Lake Murray — no water temperature was available from the gauge. With South Carolina firmly in early May, largemouth bass at both Santee Cooper and Lake Murray are well into the post-spawn transition. Tactical Bassin describes this window as "one of the most predictable times of year," with fish splitting between shallow cover and open-water structure. Their early-May coverage identifies topwater, swimbaits around laydowns, and a Karashi-style jig as the top-producing presentations right now. Flukemaster (YT) echoes the topwater push for May and calls out scent-based presentations as bass home in on bluegill spawning activity along the banks. No SC-specific charter, tackle-shop, or state-agency reports appeared in this feed cycle; conditions below are grounded in gauge data, regional bass-fishing intel, and typical seasonal patterns for this latitude.

May 7

Water temperature at NOAA buoy 41004 registered 76°F on the evening of May 6 — warm, productive water for Charleston Harbor's prime mid-spring window. Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater reports red drum making a strong push along Carolina beaches to the north, with bull reds stacking at nearshore shoals — a migration that typically reaches Lowcountry waters as May advances. The same source notes black drum and early pompano appearing along the Swansboro/Emerald Isle corridor, further evidence the seasonal run is well underway along the coastal stretch approaching SC. On the offshore front, both Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm South Carolina is cleared for a greatly expanded red snapper season in 2026 via federally approved exempted fishing permits — a major development for bottom-fishing anglers wanting to run to deeper structure. Winds are running around 14 knots per buoy 41004. A waning gibbous moon is generating strong tidal movement, setting up prime ambush windows on structure through the weekend.

May 6

NOAA buoy 41004 logged 76°F water off the SC coast this morning — a warm early-May reading that is compressing the spring transition and pushing several species into early-summer patterns ahead of schedule. Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater coverage reports red drum making a strong push onto beaches and around nearshore shoals across the region, with bull reds active around prominent cape-area structure — a regional pattern that typically extends south into the Charleston Harbor approaches and inlet systems. Just north of the SC line, bonito fishing is described as excellent from nearshore shelf waters out to the 5-mile range per Fisherman's Post, conditions that often mirror along Charleston's nearshore grounds when water temps hold in the mid-70s. The major permit-season development: federally approved exempted fishing permits dramatically expand South Atlantic red snapper access for SC recreational anglers in 2026, per Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag. Inshore, the waning gibbous moon extends low-light windows at dusk and dawn — prime timing for flounder and red drum working harbor flats and grass edges.

May 6

NOAA buoy 41004 logged 76°F water at Charleston Harbor on May 5, pushing this estuary squarely into peak late-spring territory. Across the Carolinas coast, red drum are making a notable push — Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater reports strong drum activity along coastal beaches, and those fish are well within range of low-country inlets and grass flats. Sheepshead remain a reliable structure bite around dock pilings and jetty rocks; Fisherman's Post Carolinas saltwater flagged new temporary sheepshead harvest regulations in the region this week, a reminder to verify current South Carolina regs before keeping fish. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman reports that federally approved EFPs are expanding red snapper seasons across South Carolina and other South Atlantic states for 2026, opening an extended summer window for anglers willing to run the distance. Winds were light at roughly 11 mph per buoy 41004 readings, keeping conditions manageable for both harbor and nearshore runs.

May 5

Water temperature at NOAA buoy 41004 hit 75°F off the South Carolina coast early this morning — prime late-spring reading for Charleston Harbor's inshore and nearshore grounds. The Fisherman's Post — Carolinas saltwater is tracking a strong red drum push along the broader Carolina coast this week, with bull reds showing actively along beaches and shoals from Hatteras southward; similar action is expected around Charleston's creek mouths, jetties, and marsh edges. At 75°F, the nearshore thermal window for Spanish mackerel is now open — no local confirmation yet, but the temperature is right. Sheepshead are another live option on dock and jetty structure, with Fisherman's Post flagging new harvest regulations on the species in joint Carolina waters — worth monitoring for SC anglers as the season progresses. Offshore, Saltwater Sportsman and Sport Fishing Mag confirm South Carolina is cleared for greatly expanded red snapper seasons in 2026 under new federal exempted fishing permits — worth planning around for weekend offshore runs.

May 5

Water temperatures registered at 76°F at NOAA buoy 41004 on May 4 signal Charleston Harbor has fully transitioned into late-spring mode. Coastal Angler Magazine's Haddrell's Point and Tackle Offshore Report for May, contributed by Captain Mike Able, highlights the wealth of opportunities this month brings to the local angling scene. Across the broader Carolinas saltwater zone, Fisherman's Post reports red drum pushing hard onto beachfronts and around nearshore shoals — activity that typically tracks south along the coast into SC waters. Black drum are also active in the Carolinas region per Fisherman's Post. Offshore, the news is significant: Saltwater Sportsman reports South Carolina is among the South Atlantic states approved for greatly expanded red snapper seasons in 2026 under federally authorized exempted fishing permits. Light winds around 4 m/s and 2-foot seas at buoy 41004 are keeping conditions comfortable for both inshore runs and offshore structure this week.

May 5