With most anglers focusing on Catfish here, Santee Cooper Bass don’t always get the attention they deserve. With Striped Bass and Largemouth Bass on offer in both Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, you’re in for a treat when you come to this idyllic corner of South Carolina. Get ready for plenty of action with some valuable rewards when you go up against these sought-after fish.
How Stripers came to call Santee Cooper their home is nothing short of amazing. After the building of the dam in 1939, these poor fish couldn’t make their way back to sea. Instead, they found refuge in the newly-created lakes, and have been a rare prize ever since. After being overfished in the 20th century, they’re now heavily-protected. So don’t expect to take any home if you come fishing from June through September.
Largemouth Bass season, meanwhile, is open year-round. These nationwide favorites can be found in the shallower waters in fall, or the deeper waters in winter, with the chance to find them all over the lake depending on the time of day in summer. Come aboard in the morning, afternoon, or for a full day on the water, and get your hands on plenty of these beauties.
Whether on Lake Marion or Lake Moultrie, you can’t go wrong. Hop aboard with a fishing guide from Summerton, to Cross, to Pinopolis, and you’re in for a treat. Settle in for a fun-filled day of Bass fishing on Santee Cooper, while also indulging in the stunning national parks and state forests that surround the lakes!