Blue Catfish will drop in average size through the summer, using stink baits in the river current is popular fishing method. Striped Bass will continue through late June, July, and August using live Blue Back Herring, but will get very fussy as they move to the lower lake (Lake Moultrie) for the summer.

Frankly some folks think it’s too hot to fish late July and through mid August, but for me early morning fishing in the cool air followed by a short swim, then a nap, some afternoon fishing, a steak on the grill, is a great summer day not wasted. All species continue as in June just a little less active during the mid-day.

September is next on the hit parade, my second favorite month on Lake Marion. The weather begins to cool just a bit. Flathead Catfish are doing great this month. They prefer a nice live Bream, Perch, or Crappie. Bream and Crappie fishing picks up again especially on the full moon. Largemouth Bass start to become more active again. Stripers tend to scatter a bit until they move to our front yard again in October to start their schooling.

During late September to October, the big Blue Cats are on the prowl again in deep or moving water, and we will start to drift gizzard shad for them now. Crappie fishing on beds and drops are close to as good as it gets here in this time, using live bait. Bream will start to slow down in October as the water temperature drops, but we’ll see them again in the spring.