SUMMERTON, S.C. – The legendary Santee Cooper lakes will host the second event of the year for the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine South Carolina Division on March 14. Hot on the heels of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit event that showcased multiple 30-pound-plus bags, expectations are sky high for the BFL anglers, and the lake shouldn’t disappoint.
What to expect
Santee local Kyle Austin is expecting big things from his home waters. He finished 15th in the recent Pro Circuit event and says that while the weights should be similarly eye-popping at the BFL event, it will be a much different tournament.
“One hundred percent this is going to be a spawn tournament around the cypress trees and in backwater ponds,” he said. “There will probably also be a good shallow hydrilla and eelgrass bite going on, but most of the fish will be staging shallow and getting close to spawning or on beds.”
The top finishers in the Pro Circuit event found success in both Marion and Moultrie, and Austin said that should be the case again, as both lakes are fishing well.
“It will probably be a pretty even mix; it seems like both lakes are on the same schedule,” he shared. “Some years, one’s a little ahead of the other, but they seem equal this spring. The one thing to watch, though, is the water level on Moultrie, which can be bad about dropping and fluctuating more. If the fish don’t like that, it could make it a little tougher.”
Aside from the water level, watching the weather will also be important for the anglers fishing this event.
“Everything is very weather-dependent in the spring, and mid-March is always when we have these cold fronts coming through and lingering around,” he said. “There’s going to be a huge push of fish into the shallow water. They’ll still be there if a front comes through, but it’ll be trickier to catch them if it gets cold. That could make it harder, but the long-term forecast looks warm.”
Baits to bring
If Austin were fishing this event, he’d keep it simple with a lipless crankbait and vibrating jig to cover water and a Senko on a wacky-rig for blind casting to targets and for triggering spawning bass.
What will it take?
They grow them big at Santee. Last year, when the South Carolina Division visited the fishery, it took more than 35 pounds to win, and a 13-pounder won Berkley Big Bass honors.
Austin once again expects about 35 pounds to win this event. With the fish close to the spawn, he also expects solid weights going further down the standings, and he predicts it will take over 20 pounds to cash a check.