Santee Cooper Catfishing Is Legendary

The legendary santee cooper catfishing experience is well known among fishermen across the country

. The combination of catfish numbers and size that can be caught in the lake is unmatched in any other lake in the country. The catfishing is so good that guide services specializing in catfish are numerous in the area. No other lake in the country has so many catfish guides.

Catfish in Santee Cooper offer a variety of experiences with three major species roaming the depths in search of an angler's bait. Two of these species offer the possibility of specimens exceeding 100 pounds. No other freshwater fish in North America can be expected to reach half that weight.

Catfish are found in all forty eight states. In most places catfish are relegated to second class status ignored by bass fishing guides. The catfishing in Santee cooper is so legendary that a thriving tourism industry is built around the catfish. There are guides that will deliver exactly the memorable experience you expect.

The three catfish species have overlapping habitats and behaviors so every hookup is a puzzle until the fish is brought to the surface. The largest of the three major species is the blue catfish. Opportunist feeders, the blue cat will take live bait or any of the local favorite dead baits. When an angler sets a hook on a blue cat he will have to endure one or two (or more) powerful line-stripping runs followed by a dogged refusal to approach the boat. Thirty pound fish are not uncommon and the potential for larger fish adds interest.

As a top line predator, the flathead catfish is big and selective. Flatheads respond almost exclusively to live bait but occasional a smaller fish will bite fresh cut bait. Big flatheads require patience. Anglers have reported that a flathead will observe a struggling bluegill for hours before deciding to eat it. Once an angler hooks a big flathead he can expect the fish to use its weigh and broad square tail to try to stay near the bottom. The flathead has white flesh with a unique texture. Many fishermen consider it the best tasting of the three major catfish species.

Channel catfish are the smallest of the major catfish in Santee cooper. In the wild these catfish rarely exceed twenty pounds and are very cooperative biters. Channel cats will even attack properly presented artificial bait as well as the guide's favorite stink-bait.

Channel cats are the farm raised catfish offered in restaurants so their success as table fare is undeniable. A cooler full of good size channel cats will become several bags of steaks or fillets for the freezer. Every time the family thaws and cooks a bag of catfish the memories of the Santee cooper catfishing trip will be renewed.

by: Jack Hanley

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