CD, we always used to go down to Santee to drift fish out in front of harry's fish camp which is at the upper end of the canal. We tightlined chicken livers and did alright catching cats averaging anywhere from a couple lbs up to 15 lbs or so. We never had a biog enough boat to get out in the lake but if youre fishing from a pontoon then I'd try going out of the lower end of the canal and doing some drift fishing. Guides used to always fish the deep holes above Harry's in the upper lake out in front of the dam just up from Harry's too. Just pay attention to the weather as a storm can get really dangerous on those wide open lakes. Have fun and please post a report about your trip after you get back.