Thread: Santee Smackdown!

Only had Thursday to fish this week so headed to Santee since it was warmer and low wind. Oh and it has BIG fish in that GIANT fishbowl. When I hit the mouth of Moultrie I noticed a lot of mud and strong currents, keep going and fished some of the community holes in the middle of the lake. What I found was that the stained water with heavy mud had a lot of catfish holding on a lot of the brushpiles. It took me a couple hours to work around the lake but once I got to an area with clearer water is when I found a couple brushpiles with crappie on them. I didn't have one crappie caught prior to 10:30 am and thought I might not ever find them! I finally stumbled on one pile near a spawning area that had giant crappie AND bass holding on the same pile. I caught 4 or 5 fish that were over 2 lbs. from that area. Caught another two pounder just roaming around in the open.

Once I saw them holding in that greenish water I ran around to find some more of the same. I fished the green water near a mudline break and found some more. The pattern paid off as I loaded the boat! I took minnows and had some caps and coleman rigs but the fish wanted a slabtail and bg minner. Casting at 30-40 feet was the ticket with the big fish. Ended the day with 9 fish over 2lbs. (released) and a 21lb sack of bass (released) and few big blue cats. (almost kept as those fish are excellent table fare but didn't want to get the boat slimy!) Kept a bucket full of nice fish and went to clean with my new R12 Rapala and the darn thing would not cut through a fish! I reached out to Rapala and they are sending me a new knife. These will get the old fashion treatment! (dexter) I thought if I figured out that pattern earlier it would have helped so hopefully this helps someone.

For those that have never fished Santee Cooper and see the pics and think oh Ill fish there and get easy big fish. easssssy there fella. Santee (either lake) can be dangerous so you have be very careful with the winds. Check Navionics and if it says the wind is over 6 knots do NOT go. 7 knots doesn't sound like a lot but that lake will get rollers because there is nothing to block the wind. I have a big deep V boat and was scared out there my first time because I thought 6-10 knots aint no big deal, but it is on Santee! I was taking waves hitting the windshield and I live on Norman and never had that happen and will go out there when its bad because I have a dock I can pull into. But if you treat her with respect she can reward you with a magical day.

Pics to follow

Originally Posted by Clarktg

Nice report. Haven’t made it to Santee yet but the stories I’ve heard does seem intimidating.


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Its a good lake and the Bass, Crappie, and Catfish are all great quality. Not a lot of fish compared to some of our other lakes but the quality makes up for it. Little tip if you are coming from the West there is a little cane field on the way there. Bring a few buckets and some quick crete and can make a few brush piles. The lake is so big you can hide them well.