Making plans for Lake Monticello and Santee

I'm planning to hit Monty in the morning for the day and have plans for Santee March 15th - 21st. We (3 of us from the church) will camp at Harry's. I will have my little boat and one of the others a 24' pontoon. The last time I fished Santee was October.

I will probably be by myself on Monty, my 14 year old son has gotten lazy on me. If you are out there tomorrow, I have a 15 foot aluminum v-hull with rod holders down the side. I'll put in at the upper ramp with a red S-10 truck. Hope to see you there - holler if you see me!

 

Saturday was certainly a tough day on Monty. I've heard all of the feast or famine comments, and now I believe them. I fished all day for 2 bites, both blues, 1st one about 9 - 10 lbs, second one about 4 - 5 lbs. Both were released. Both fish were caught on my 1st drift and on live herring. The wind picked up just after this and could not keep my drift speed slow enough. The fish I caught were in 40 - 42 feet of water. I marked a lot of baitfish and bottom arches in 40 - 50 feet of water. The water temp was running about 53.6 degrees.

Comment about safety when drifting. I drift sideways in my boat to give me more area for my spread. I use 2 small, 24" socks on my 15 foot aluminum V hull. Saturday the swells were pretty tall and the period between swells was such that second swell would hit while the boat was at maximum list due to the prior wave. This caused the boat to take on water twice. I pulled in the socks to allow the boat to free drift while I reeled in. This stopped me from taking on water. I then moved to more sheltered water. I would think that this problem may be amplified with larger drift socks. For safety reasons, when the seas get rough, we need to turn into the wind to make our drifts.

On the lighter side, while I was concerned with my safety and preparing to make a run to more sheltered water, I saw (guys, I don't drink or use drugs at all) a woman crossing the lake in a 10 foot john boat holding a pink umbrella. I know, there go the reputation marks, but I saw what I saw!

 

Went back Saturday. Lots of wind and waves, only one fish in the boat. Didn't see my lady with the pink umbrella, either. I was dissapointed, I had a witness with me, this time.

 

I fished everything from 10 feet to 90 feet. Marked a lot of arches in 40 - 50 feet of water. Also noticed a lot of suspended fish, holding at about 20 feet deep in 70 feet of water. Saturday I stayed on the upper end of the lake due to the wind.

Going this week to buy another drift sock, I have 2 - 24" socks on my 15' V-hull, but it just isn't enough to slow me on windy days. I think I will buy a 36" and then put out as many socks as needed. Any thoughts?

Leaving for Santee on the 15th. Get that blasted pin out of my finger on the 12th, I hope it makes it easier to handle the rod! We will be staying at Harry's (3 men from the church plus one man's wife, baby and grandmother. We will be in 2 travel trailers and have my boat and a 24 foot pontoon. If you see us out there give us a yell, we are a friendly bunch. I will be there till Friday morning.