CLARENDON COUNTY, S.C. — Before the 94 Elite Series anglers arrived for practice at Santee Coopers Lakes, there were predictions of multiple 100-pound total “century belts” being earned this week. But after three days of practice – Sunday through Tuesday – two of which began with temperatures in the 20s, those lofty predictions have been tempered a bit.
“It’s still possible,” said Bryan New, a South Carolina resident with much experience here. As far as the bass fishing being fully springtime turned on, New said, “It hasn’t happened yet, but it’s fixing to. It’s only going to get better. I don’t think we’ll break 100 pounds, but I won’t be surprised if we do.”
The four-day Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes begins with a 7:30 a.m. takeoff Thursday. Between Lake Marion’s 110,000 surface acres and Lake Moultrie’s 60,000 surface acres, the playing field for this tournament is huge. It’s known as South Carolina’s “inland sea.” And the variety of bass-holding structure is just as vast.
“I think Santee has more five- to seven-pounders than any lake in the country,” said New. “Seriously, in any truly fishable water here, you’re within 50 to 75 yards of a four- to seven-pounder. But it’s so easy to miss. That’s what makes it both good and tough, because it’s so easy to miss.”
Patrick Walters’ family has had a lake house on Lake Marion for 15 years. He considers this his “home lake.” Walters was hoping for that perfect storm of water temperatures rising into the mid 60s, a full moon and stable conditions, but the past week hasn’t played out perfectly.
“We’re not going to get a perfect storm,” Walters said, “but we’re going to get a pretty good one. I don’t think anyone will top 100 pounds, but I think it will take 90-something to win. Most of the fish will be caught shallow. They are spawning, but a whole bunch haven’t locked on yet. I think more will get locked on every day.”
However, Walters doesn’t think the tournament will be won sight-fishing. He found some water with a 65-degree surface temperature on Tuesday, the final day of practice.
“It’s warming quickly,” he said. “It was 55, 56 the first day of practice.”
Brandon Palaniuk won the last time the Elite Series came to Santee Cooper. However, that event was held in October 2020, in the pandemic delayed season. Palaniuk has noticed the continued expectation of perfect storm conditions this season. Many thought it might a month ago under a full moon at Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes.
“This entire season, we haven’t had stable conditions yet,” Palaniuk noted. “I think we’ve proved that there are a lot more factors that go into this than what we think. It seems like this week is no exception.”
Palaniuk predicted a winning weight in the low to mid 90s, something short of the 100-pound mark.
“Twenty-five pounds a day is stout,” he said. “I won’t be surprised to see a 30-pound bag, but I don’t think it’s likely than anyone can be consistent this week.”
Who would be his favorite to win this tournament?
“I don’t think there is a favorite because I can’t put my finger on what’s the best way to catch them. It could be anything.”