---
title: "SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn"
url: https://www.hereclinton.com/2026/09/12/sc-fishing-outlook-september-2026/
date: 2026-09-12T10:51:56-04:00
modified: 2026-09-12T10:51:56-04:00
author: "Reese Calhoun"
categories: ["Fishing"]
site: "HERE Clinton"
attribution: "HERE Clinton"
---

# SC September fishing outlook: coast heats up, lakes turn

*Source: [HERE Clinton](https://www.hereclinton.com/2026/09/12/sc-fishing-outlook-september-2026/) — September 12, 2026 by Reese Calhoun*

September marks the swing month for South Carolina anglers, when the water begins to cool from its late-summer peak, bait clouds concentrate in the creeks and lakes, and predator species from redfish on the coast to striped bass in the Piedmont start their fall feed. SCDNR’s saltwater and freshwater fishing trends for the month, compiled from captains and guides working every corner of the state, point to a strong stretch ahead if the front-end forecast holds.

Along the north end of the coast, Captain Smiley Fishing Charters in the North Grand Strand reports that late-August action was already running better than typical for the season, and the annual fall feed is expected to sharpen through September. Black drum, redfish and flounder should continue to work live shrimp inshore as long as anglers hunt areas where bait is thick. More trout should show as water temperatures ease down. Farther south in the Grand Strand, Captain Caleb Hartley points to the mullet run as the trigger for the year’s best inshore stretch, with flounder and redfish biting well inside and jetty water heating up for sheepshead, Spanish mackerel and inshore predators.

The Georgetown reports from Captain Greg Holmes note redfish, trout and occasional flounder feeding better through the month, with the next full moon likely to move big redfish onto spawning water. Flood tides through September create some of the best conditions of the year for sight-casting to tailing reds in the flooded grass. In Charleston, Captain Rob Bennett and Captain Addison Rupert see abundant bait shrimp and finger mullet setting up a productive month, with bull reds expected in the harbor and along nearby waters, tarpon still in the mix for surf and inlet fishing, and trout picking up in slightly deeper water than the reds. Folly Beach Pier expects Spanish mackerel and king mackerel action off the diamond if water conditions cooperate.

Piers along the entire coast typically see September as their turnaround month. Cherry Grove Pier in the Grand Strand expects the annual mullet run to fire up drum and bluefish, with whiting, croaker and other species filling out mid-month catches and king mackerel possible when water clears. Bull reds are expected to move within casting reach of surf and pier anglers from Georgetown south through Edisto.

The state’s freshwater lakes are entering their own transition. On Lake Murray, Pomaria tournament angler Andy Wicker reports that September bass anglers are typically working suspended fish over offshore structure and cane piles, but this year there is also action around deeper grass beds. Weedless flukes and worms fished through the grass, and topwater lures or flukes for the suspended fish, are his top picks. Captain Brad Taylor tracks striped bass moving out of the lower pool and setting up at creek mouths, and the same captain sees crappie schooling over brush and deeper docks at creek mouths and along the main river channel.

Lake Hartwell is entering a bait-chase pattern. Guide Lane Clark reports bass following bait schools over deep water and over shallower humps, with topwaters, flukes and swimbaits all producing and a shallow buzzbait bite starting to develop. Captain Chip Hamilton describes stripers and hybrids moving into the main Savannah River channel through late August, with the fish more consistent on down-rods and free-lines as they split from summer schools and head into the creeks. Guide Rodney Donald reports crappie holding over brush in 15 to 25 feet or deeper in the creek runs, with jigs and minnows both effective and minnows sometimes edging out.

On the Santee Cooper system, Captain David Murdaugh Sr. sees September as the turning point for bass fishing after a slower late summer, with bigger fish reappearing and patterns that work all day rather than only at dawn and dusk. Captain Steve English tracks improving crappie fishing as day lengths shorten, moving from deep water toward mid-depth and shallower brush that respond to minnows. On the upper end of Lake Marion, Pack’s Landing reports strong topwater bass action over grass, catfish biting cut bait in the shallows off the river channel when there is current, and bream holding on the flats if water levels stay low.

In the Piedmont, Guide Jerry Kotal reports Lake Russell bass feeding well and setting up around points and brush piles for September, with drop shots and shaky heads both producing and schooling activity likely across the lake. Guide Wendell Wilson tracks Lake Russell stripers moving to mid-lake flats where down-lined herring becomes the go-to bait, and Wilson also sees crappie moving from deep brush and timber toward shallower brush as temperatures fall.

SCDNR reminds anglers that South Carolina residents need a state saltwater license to fish coastal waters and a freshwater license to fish inland lakes and rivers. Nonresidents have their own tiered pricing. The full rules booklet lists creel and size limits by species. Licenses are available at any SCDNR regional office, online, or through licensed retail agents statewide.