[blackwaterkatz]

My grandson Doug (Bigboy) & I spent the weekend at Lake Marion (Harry's Fish Camp) and had a good time, although the cats were biting pretty slow compared to past weeks. Doug did manage to catch his first ever flathead, a 3.2#. Small, but he was still thrilled. Most people were having a hard time, although a very few did have some fair catches, mostly blues with a few flatties, including a 54 #,r that we saw at check-in. Funny, tho, each time they told me why they were doing so well, either the bait, technique, or the location changed slightly.
We met a new brother while there, who has been observing for awhile, tho he hasn't posted yet. Great to meet him and his family. Also shared some meals and fishing with Jim Helring & Steve Fisher. Jim invited us along on a guided trip in hopes of getting Doug a large flathead, but it didn't happen this time. We did manage to learn a little more, as usually happens, so it may help us in the future. Even a slow trip can be a learning experience!

 

[MUDHOLE KID]

Sorry to hear it was slow.I can't take it down there this time of year myself.I plan on going back in Oct.If you get a chance try the fall fishing too.Jim's down there alot and if he could'nt put you on a hawg it had to be slow.Congrats on that first flathead Bigboy.I caught a good'un down there in April.I want another one,just a lil' bigger

 

[blackwaterkatz]

Mudhole, it was terribly hot and humid, although at night we had a breeze that really helped. The moon was pretty bright at night, maybe that was a factor. On sat. night when we had more clouds, it seemed that a few more fish were caught than on sun. night when there were few clouds. By mid-morning sun. the heat was miserable. We intend to return in October when it is a little cooler.

 

[roundhill]

tommy whear did you an jim fish upper or lower lake and how did you fish i was planing on going down this thursday for three days im still looking forward to metting you guys one day i go down every 2 to 3 weeks so one day we will meet thanks in advance for the info

 

[blackwaterkatz]

Roundhill, we fished the channel in front of Harry's some, also drop-offs along the old Santee River channels, as well as large flats. We used cut herring and live/cut white perch primarily. Unfortunately, we had limited success, compared to some earlier trips, as I mentioned earlier, but still kept enough to restock the freezer for a while. There was a huge crowd of boats everywhere, until Sunday, at least, and the weather may have contributed to the slow bite.
Where do you live? Seems like your profile on the old site said someplace in NC, Kings Mountain, maybe. Not sure my memory is correct. Let me know when you head down...I may be fishing too, who knows?

 

[Chris]

My wife and I are taking a trip up to Lake Marion. I would like to find a boat ramp where not a lot of people go to and some back waters with some trees and brush to fish. I just want to get my line wet and anything that bites will be fine and dandy with me. It has been a few years since I have fished freshwater and I am getting very exicted about it. If someone has some info where I can find some backwaters and some good fishing spots I would apprectiate the help

thank you
chris

 

[blackwaterkatz]

Chris, will you be using a boat? I assume so, what size? There are a few places with landings away from most of the crowd, but almost anywhere will be crowded at times, especially on the weekends. Since you are in the Beaufort area, you may want to check maps on the south side in the Rock's Pond area. There are lots of small islands and shallow areas on that side of the lake. If you have a lake map, it would be helpful. There's also some info on the SCDNR and santee cooper web sites.
If you want to get more specific, some of us are sure to have some suggestions.

 

[MUDHOLE KID]

Chris,there was a young man on here awhile back on the old board that lived in pickens.I'm assuming you're a different Chris Love?Make everyone aware of it because I know (Jim) will think the same thing.I read your profile and I'm sure there's 2 different Chris.The other young man was wanting someone to go ,or take him fishing.Wow both in the S.C. post too.Anyway welcome aboard and have fun.

 

[blackwaterkatz]

I had picked up on that too, but the profile is different. Haven't heard from the kid in Pickens in a while, though.

 

[MUDHOLE KID]

Somebody must have took him fishing Tommy,I haven't heard from him in awhile myself.I think the idea of fishing on a lake may have scared him.He likes his money ponds

 

[Chris]

Yes THERE IS ANOTHER CHRIS LOVE IN HERE, I AM THE ONE FROM BEAUFORT! THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OTHER CHRIS , JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW

I will be in a 15' Boston Whaler with my wife and 2 dogs. We are gonna see how our dogs like to swim. We will coming up in October.

Are there any cabins that we could rent that allow dogs?
I am going to stop by a bait shop and pick up some live bait to use for catfishing. What kind of live bait would you recommend?
I have some jigs and what not for crappie and bluegill just to fish while I wait for the cats to bite.

If someone would ever just want to B.S give me a call sometime843-379-0393

chris

 

[blackwaterkatz]

Chris, there are plenty of places to stay, but I don't know about pets. You would need to call around and ask. Surely there are some around. Some of the campgrounds probably allow them too, on leash. The web sites I listed have listing of campgrounds and fish camps on them.
As for bait, right now most of the places have herring, which works well as cut bait, but with a few worms or jigs, you should be able to catch plenty of panfish for live bait. Fishing along the channel edges almost anywhere with #6 hooks and a small piece of worm will catch plenty of white perch, if you have a livewell.

 

[jim]

Chris ,I think Rocks Pond would be the best place or take a look at Santee State Park.I don't know about the pets BUT I would say be VERY careful with dogs at Santee.There have been many lost to gators including very expensive retrievors during duck season.Just because you can't see them doesn't mean they aren't there.We saw one 12-14 ft long on the last trip and dogs are high on their preferred diet.It is also very hot out there in the day time so I hope you have a top.

 

[SFISHER]

Just got back from Cincinatti and found out I had to reregister and all that. I'll get a picture up later. I hope I'm posting right.

Chris when I go up there I take my dog and I stay at Johnstons RV resort. You can rent a camper from them and they will let you have pets. They are on hwy 6 about a mile east of Blacks. There is a Ramada Inn in Santee that will let you have pets, but they are not on the water. I dont know if the state park will let you have pets in the cabins or not but it is worth a try to call them. They have some nice cabins there. As far as I Know all campgrounds will let you have pets if you are camping but not if you are renting a room from them.

 

[SFISHER]

Thanks for the gps converter Tommy!

 

[blackwaterkatz]

You're welcome, Steve. Hope that will help you.

 

[hastys75]

I have been hearing that the stripers are biting pretty good right now, but i can't remember which lake they are in. Is there any truth to that? Thinking about going this weekend to try both the stripers (probably in the morning) and the cats. If anyone knows about the fishing please let me know.

 

[jim]

There is some schooling activity going on in front of the Moultie dam generally early and late or at night if you are looking for stripers.If you drift fish that is a good area for cats also so you could have some lines on the bottom for cats and freeline some herring at the same time for the stripers.

 

[Mr Phatkat]

I can attest to that. The last two times ive been out, ive accidentally caught a total of 4 16-18 inch stripers while fishing for cats. Both times, the bite came between 4:45-5:30am..Also, Im starting to see the stripers (smaller ones) surface riding in very small schools of 4&5 throughout the night.