Alright, listen up, y’all. I’m gonna tell ya ’bout this fishin’ thing down at Santee Cooper. People been catchin’ some big ol’ catfish there, I tell ya.
Santee Cooper Catfishin’: What You Need to Know
First off, them Santee Cooper lakes, they got plenty of catfish. Big ones, small ones, all kinds. They say they stock ’em regular, like, puttin’ more fish in the water so folks can catch ’em. And not just catfish, mind you. They got bass and bluegill too, and them rainbow trouts when it gets cold.
- Baits that work: Now, what you gonna catch ’em with? Well, that depends. Some folks use big live bait, like them little fish. Others use cut bait, pieces of fish, you know? Then there’s them stinkbaits, smell so bad they make your eyes water. But catfish, they love ’em. And worms, always a good choice. Even shrimp, some folks say that works good too. I seen some fellas even usin’ them catalpa worms, them green ones.
- Where to go fishin’: They say Stumphole Swamp is a good spot. Up on Lake Marion, it is. Lots of trees and stumps under the water, catfish like to hide in them places. But you can catch ’em all over, really. Some folks fishin’ off the Hatchery, Bonneau, I think they call it. Deep water there, 25 to 40 feet deep, they say.
I heard tell of a fella caught a blue catfish, almost 140 pounds! Can you imagine that? Biggest one they ever seen in them lakes. That’s why they say Santee Cooper is a fisherman’s paradise. You wanna catch a big catfish, that’s the place to go.
More Than Just Catfish
Now, I ain’t just talkin’ catfish. They got bass fishin’ too. Sometimes them bass, they swim in the shallow water, and you can catch ’em with them Spooks and Pencil Poppers, them fancy lures. But me, I stick to the catfishin’. It’s simpler, you know? Just throw your line in and wait.
Santee Cooper Fishin’ Reports
They got these fishin’ reports, tell you what’s bitin’ and where. Like a newspaper for fishin’, I guess. They come out every month, tell you what’s goin’ on. October, they got one. Good to know what the fish are doin’ before you go out there and waste your time.
The Santee Cooper Rig
Them lakes, they so famous for fishin’, they even got their own fishin’ rig named after ’em. The Santee Cooper rig. Must be a good one, if they named it after the place. I heard it’s good for bass and stripers and crappie, too. But like I said, I stick to the catfish.
Catfishin’ Community
There’s a whole bunch of folks out there that love catfishin’. Online, you know? They talk about flatheads, blue cats, channel cats, all kinds. They got a whole community, sharin’ tips and stories. Guess fishin’ ain’t just about catchin’ fish, it’s about the folks you meet too.
Gettin’ Your Gear
You gonna need some gear, of course. Rods, reels, hooks, line. You can get that stuff at the stores, or even online. Some places, they even give you free shippin’ if you spend enough money. And they got all the big brands, so you know you’re gettin’ good stuff. Even Amazon, they sell fishin’ gear now. Hard to believe, but they do.
So, there you have it. Santee Cooper catfishin’ in a nutshell. Go on down there, throw a line in, and see what you can catch. Just remember, patience is key. And maybe a little bit of luck, too.
Don’t Forget the Important Stuff!
Now, you listen here, you can’t just go waltzing down to the lake without bein’ prepared. Make sure you got your license, you hear? Don’t want no game warden catchin’ you without it. And bring some snacks and drinks, ‘specially if you gonna be out there all day. Sunscreen too, even on a cloudy day. Don’t wanna get burnt to a crisp like a piece of bacon.
And most important of all, be respectful of the water and the fish. Don’t leave no trash around, and don’t take more fish than you need. We wanna keep them lakes nice for everyone to enjoy, right?
Now go on, get out there and have some fun! And if you catch a big one, take a picture and show it off. That’s half the fun of fishin’, ain’t it?
Tags: [Santee Cooper, Catfishing, Fishing Report, Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, Catfish Baits, Stumphole Swamp, Fishing Gear, Blue Catfish, Bass Fishing]
