Thread: Trip in March

So.....you will be single poling? Do you have and use live scope? This might help you get some answers.

Yes on Livescope. We will be single poling. I'm not into the spider rigging. I'm a Bobby Garland double jig rig guy. I want to feel that thump.

With Live Scope you won’t need to leave Taw Caw. There’s little hydrilla left in the lakes. You probably saw a video of my buddy Whitey Outlaw jigging through floating grass mats. These mats are not present in that area of the lake. Yes, the Santee Cooper name relates to both the Santee and Cooper river systems that include both lakes and surrounding swamps and drainages. Jacks, Wyboo, Potato, and Taw Caw creeks are some of the best areas of Marion to fish. Late March will find the crappie in all phases of the spawn depending mostly on how fast the water warms and which creek you’re in. You can expect to catch 95% black crappie. The Whites usually spawn in April. Typically, late March will have the majority of the fish in 1-15 feet of water. Open water sniping and brush will be productive.

Good information. I'm curious though. Did they find some way to kill the Hydrilla or does it die off in the winter? Is there a bait store in the area to support and get some advice?

Grass carp were introduced many year ago. Carp and spraying has removed most all vegetation good and bad. But worry not, Santee lakes always find a new invasive species of vegetation to battle. The current problems are Floating Hearts (a type of dollar pad) and Savania, (a rapid growing floating type of giant duck weed) As far as bait goes, I’m uncertain on that side of the lake. I typically put in on the other side of the lake and travel by boat to most areas. Santee General store in the town of Santee carry’s all your bait needs and sales minnows by the pound, the only store around that does that.

You may know this already but be careful running around on that upper lake. There are lots of underwater stumps just under the water. Even in water much deeper than you would expect. Fantastic lake but be careful.

Lots of good information folks. Two more questions. What is normal pool in the summer, and is there a certain deph I'm looking for to fish the stump area in the upper lake?

We just got back from an Airbnb in Taw Caw, If it is the one we stayed in (Cozy Lake Living) it advertises it has a boat ramp at the house but it is not usable, you will have to go to the public ramp down the road otherwise the house was great definitely better than the fish camps towards the canal. I imagine you will be able to wear them out in the creek. Lots of brush and structure for the live scope. There are a lot of trees and stumps just outside the mouth of Taw Caw you will have to be very cautious riding to the channel markers. If you are planning to fish standing timber in the big lake it will be heavily dependent on the wind/weather. It does not take much wind to turn that lake into an ocean.