CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Deciphering the spawning stages will be key to finding success during the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by Bass Pro Shops.
“The lakes are really healthy,” said Lucas Murphy, a Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender pro from West Columbia, S.C. “There is a lot of grass right now. April and May were lights-out last year during the postspawn. It is good old-fashioned fishing.”
Tournament days are scheduled for April 8-9, with daily takeoffs and weigh-ins taking place at John C. Land III Boating & Sports Fishing Facility in Summerton, S.C. The Top 10% of the field will punch a ticket to the Strike King Bassmaster College National Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops later this year.
One-day Strike King Bassmaster High School and Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Seriesevents will follow on Santee Cooper Lakes on April 12.
Consistently near the top of Bassmaster Magazine’s yearly 100 Best Bass Lakes, the Santee Cooper lakes are full of pristine scenery and lunker largemouth. Two lakes make up the fishery — Lake Marion to the northwest and Lake Moultrie to the southeast — with a diversion canal connecting them.
Over the past five seasons, the Bassmaster Tournament Trails have made several trips to Santee Cooper, most recently during the 2024 season, when Kyle Austin won an early March Bassmaster Open with 83 pounds, 7 ounces.
What will happen during the College Series event hinges on the weather trends. In a normal year, many of the bass in the system would be in a postspawn phase, with a few late spawners hitting the beds, Murphy said. There is also the possibility of a shad spawn starting up, which could provide the opportunity to catch an early limit. Of course, timelines can shift depending on the severity of late-season cold snaps.
“The biggest thing will be dialing in which portion of the spawn the bass will be in,” said Murphy, a former Grand Valley State University angler. “I think there will be some stragglers that are spawning, but for the most part I think they will be postspawn. It fishes kind of like Florida. You want nice, warm weather. These bass can be a little temperamental.”
Thousands of cypress trees fill the shallows of both lakes, providing plenty of cover. Over the past few years, the aquatic vegetation has increased significantly, especially on Lake Moultrie.
“Moultrie is loaded with grass and has been one of the most consistent sections of the lake. Marion is typically where a lot of tournaments get won,” Murphy said. “There’s a lot of grass, so it is about taking the time to find the sweet spots.”
Murphy predicts several baits could come into play, including a wacky-rigged Strike King Ocho and a Strike King Rage Cut-R-Worm. Jerkbaits and some topwater action could work for anglers targeting the grass. And around cypress trees, on the northern end of Marion especially, anglers can catch fish with buzzbaits, spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged creature baits.
For more information on the Strike King Bassmaster College Series at Santee Cooper Lakes presented by Bass Pro Shops, the Strike King Bassmaster High School Series at Santee Cooper Lakes and the Tackle Warehouse Bassmaster Junior Series at Santee Cooper Lakes visit Bassmaster.com.
These events are being hosted by Santee Cooper County.
2026 Bassmaster College Series Title Sponsor: Strike King
2026 BassmasterCollege Series Presenting Sponsor: Bass Pro Shops
2026 BassmasterCollege Series Platinum Sponsor: Progressive, Toyota
2026Bassmaster College Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2026 Bassmaster College Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Lew’s, Lowrance, Phoenix Boats, VMC, Yokohama
2026 Bassmaster College Series Youth Sponsors: Seaguar
