Thread: Santee Cooper Information Please

Packs is probably closest to you. I use to fish it a lot with my BIL, unfortunately we lost him to cancer(agent orange), so I have not fished it in recent years. Mr Cromer met some guys when he went to Broadwater Tuesday, who had fished that area and they had some nice crappie. You can tightline up to the right as you leave Packs. If you go through the cut in the woods it opens into Sparkleberry swamp which is where we use to fish. Single pole jigging the pads and downed timber with jigs or minnows would probably be a good method. I would stop in the store and talk to the Pack boys and they will give you the current news.
Remember this part of the lake was never cleared of timber when they filled the lake. It is nearly impossible not to hit a few stumps as you motor around. But it is one of the prettiest bodies of water you'll find.
On that side of the lake, Jacks Creek would be a better bet than Popular creek on the other side, but water in the Popular Creek area is much less stumpy than any of the others and you could tight line there easier.
I am still battling some crud so I can't get out this weekend.

Fishing Santee will be a totally different experience than Wateree. If you are worried about water hazards, avoid Packs. The fishing isn't great in Popular creek, but the landing and folks are. I put in there often, but you will have to ride a good ways to fish. Seeing your post, and knowing how you like to fish I would put in and fish Taw Caw or Wyboo creeks. Both have several ramps available. Both have a mixture of shall flats and deep runs. Both offer few stumps to worry about, and both can offer great fishing. Tight lined minnows will remain effective, but the fish are moving shallow and becoming aggressive. Due to this, long line trolling and single pole jigging will become the better techniques in the coming weeks.

Originally Posted by Inkdabber

Fishing Santee will be a totally different experience than Wateree. If you are worried about water hazards, avoid Packs. The fishing isn't great in Popular creek, but the landing and folks are. I put in there often, but you will have to ride a good ways to fish. Seeing your post, and knowing how you like to fish I would put in and fish Taw Caw or Wyboo creeks. Both have several ramps available. Both have a mixture of shall flats and deep runs. Both offer few stumps to worry about, and both can offer great fishing. Tight lined minnows will remain effective, but the fish are moving shallow and becoming aggressive. Due to this, long line trolling and single pole jigging will become the better techniques in the coming weeks.

Ink, I am leaning towards Wyboo form my first trip. Are there any baitshops along Hwy 260? Planning on launching at C. Alex Harvin III Launch on 260. Probably start looking in the 20-30 ft depth for structure to start in the middle of day and shallower to start the morning. I am reliant on electronics so will need to get out there and see where the marks are. Thank you for the help. Tim

Sounds like I need to read up on the longlining techniques for the coming weeks.

Originally Posted by KHNC

Sounds like I need to read up on the longlining techniques for the coming weeks.

sent you this in a PM !!! will also share for others wanting to learn this technique this is one of if not the best read you will get on this subject !!!

http://magnoliacrappieclub.com/articles/LongLining.pdf

I agree with Ink. Tawcaw Creek is where I used to fish out of and in and did well there. Just be careful of the big gators in that area. If there out still.

Originally Posted by micorps

Ink, I am leaning towards Wyboo form my first trip. Are there any baitshops along Hwy 260? Planning on launching at C. Alex Harvin III Launch on 260. Probably start looking in the 20-30 ft depth for structure to start in the middle of day and shallower to start the morning. I am reliant on electronics so will need to get out there and see where the marks are. Thank you for the help. Tim

Had to laugh. I am not familar with the lake below the I95 bridge, but the water above where we fish is seldom over 10 ft. Might find a hole in the river channel that is close to 30 but most of the upper lake is shallow. That is why it is dangerous in high winds. Really kicks up the waves.

From what I've read the Wyboo area will work well for the type of fishing you plan. If Ink and Bean recommend it, you can't go wrong. Hope you do well, look forward your report.

I'm sure there are plenty of bait shops out that way, but I buy all my bait from the Santee General store in the town of Santee. They're bait is usually fresh, and they are the only one that sales by the pound.

Originally Posted by micorps

Ink, I am leaning towards Wyboo form my first trip. Are there any baitshops along Hwy 260? Planning on launching at C. Alex Harvin III Launch on 260. Probably start looking in the 20-30 ft depth for structure to start in the middle of day and shallower to start the morning. I am reliant on electronics so will need to get out there and see where the marks are. Thank you for the help. Tim