Big-bass brigade begins Friday

Premium fishing conditions grace Santee Cooper on day three

MANNING, S.C. – If you could pick one day to watch the FLW Live broadcast on FLWOutdoors.com of the Stren Series Southeast event at Santee Cooper, today would be a good choice.

Santee Cooper is known for producing giant limits of bass in the springtime, but anglers fishing in the Stren Series over the last couple of days have had less than ideal conditions.

On day one, dark clouds and a cold, drizzly rain kept water temperatures down. On day two, the sun came back out, but a 20 mph wind made visibility, boat position and bait presentation difficult.

Today, however, those anglers fishing Santee Cooper lakes are getting a real treat: perfect fishing conditions.

Sunshine, warming water and a slight breeze will give anglers the upper hand on Santee Cooper’s big bass.

Whether anglers are sight-fishing or soaking weightless plastics against the base of cypress trees, the conditions will help fish lock on beds and position on trees.

“This place could explode with big bass today,” said Greg Pugh of Cullman, Ala. “I know a lot of these guys have been seeing big bass cruising around, and these are the kind of days where they keep funneling in and locking down.”

Friday’s conditions

Sunrise: 6:54 a.m.

Temperature at takeoff: 52 degrees

Expected high temperature: 75 degrees

Water temperature: 62-67 degrees

Forecasted winds: NW at 5 to 10

Day’s outlook: perfect

The day-three weigh-in begins at 3 p.m. at the John C. Land III Landing in Summerton, S.C.

The weigh-in can be seen through FLW Live on FLWOutdoors.com starting at 3 p.m. Eastern.