scbassin

Nuke it for 10 to 15 seconds then stir it.

In February the angle of the sun starts to warm the shallow water on the Northern side of the lake. When the temperature hits 50 to 55 you can find the big girls in a couple of feet as that warms up 1st. A days days after she spawns she moves off leaving the male to guard the fry. They don't move very far at 1st ,they stop & rest & fatten up in that 10 to 15 feet as the water is warming in the 50 to 55 range& as the water continues to warm they will move to the points in that 20 to 30 feet range. They have moved deeper before the heavy fishing pressure begins in March. I have been Fishing on Santee Cooper since 1969 & it took my fishing partner & myself a couple of springs to figure it out. There are plenty of fish shallow but your to catch a 10lb + is to look a little deeper after that 1st spawn. Now a days there is a ton of fishing pressure every weekend from March thru June.

I agree pretty much what has been stated so far. I think that you must consider the lake you are fishing to what is deep water. There is alot of shallow flats on Santee Cooper & fish are there year round but in the warmer months it's harder to find the big girls (10+). It is best to be looking for structure in 20 to 30 ft, Is that deep? Or move out to the main part of the lake in the 50+ depth. I caught my PB 12 1/2 lbs in 1 1/2 ft in February the temp was 51, move out to 8 ft temp was 48 & I caught 1 fish but he was not 14 inches. I did catch several fish back in the shallow part of that flat. As you move off that flat the ditch drops to between 15 to 20 ft as you get to the main lake. When the water temp gets to 70+ I still fish the shallow flats but under Cypress tree & have not caught a 10 + but plenty of 14" + plus over the years. I wonder where the bigger fish went? they can be found near the flats on good structure in 15 to 30 ft of water. Is that deep or shallow?

Any time the heat index reaches 105+

I am with the members that use the Curado or Scorpion 70 series. I use a Scorpion 71 xg. I also agree with Catt about the rod, but maybe a tad more than a little bit.

No but these are excellent rods of which I have several. But their top of the line is https://dobynsrods.com/the-dobyns-xtasy-series/ of which I have none.

I am not fussy when it comes to painting jig heads. I just buy the style jig head I want, than tie a line between 2 post & hang the jig heads on the line. I buy 4 colors of nail polish Black, Green,Red, & Amber or Brown When dry I put the skirt on the jig head & wire tie it. I can fish year round & the only ice I see in the lake is when I dump the cubes from the sweet tea mug. I do catch Bass on these jigs. I am not knocking Y'all for doing things like this since you can't fish. In 1969 my Uncle Sam transferred me to the U.S.S. Thornback S.S. 418 homeported in Charleston S.C. & guess what is close by, Santee Cooper ☺️. nuff said tight lines.

https://www.americanlegacyfishing.com/dobyns-champion-extreme-casting-rods-all.html Dobyns Champion Extreme HP 7'4" Medium Heavy Full Handle Casting Rod I now have 4 of these rods. I fish Chatterbaits, swim jigs, 3/15 -1/4 oz. Texas rigs, Weightless stickbaits, 1/4 oz. Spinnerbaits & Buzzbaits. The sensitivity on these rods is excellent. The price is more than you posted but look at the discount. This is one heck of a rod at that price.

This is the reel you want. Designed for the power game, the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel is packed full of Shimano’s most advanced technologies and delivers unsurpassed power, precision, and performance. Built upon a one-piece aluminum CoreSolid Body that houses Shimano’s Infinity Drive and MicroModule gearing system, the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel provides a solid in-hand feel and unbelievable reeling force to supply power without resistance or hesitation. Offering added versatility, the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel features an all new MGL Spool III with decreased startup inertia that enables anglers to cast further while providing the ability to use a variety of lure weights and presentations. Backed by an ultra powerful Cross Carbon Drag to yank fish out of the thick stuff, the Shimano Bantam MGL A Casting Reel raises the bar for power fishing reels.

Happy Thanksgiving to y'all!! In your prayers today please do not forget the people defending us & can not be home with family, the ones who are home but not a 100% & the ones who made the supreme sacrifice defending our home land. Thank You SCBASSIN.

Toms answer is the best way to do it. If that don't work do what Catt said.

When I pull wires in my boat I wipe the wire I am pulling with Dawn Dishing Washing Soap. It makes it easier pulling thru a wiring harness.

I have picked up the Frog box & am not overly impressed. I don't have but one frog at the house so I must wait until I get up to the lake to fill the box before deciding on what to do T/W sold out of the first bunch they had. I saw they were restocked a couple of days ago so I ordered without any reviews. I'll let y'all what I think after getting to the lake.

After doing the math I decided to go early. When doing the math I forgot to figure in the cost of the 2 ladies that receive my packages while I am fishing & that will be pricey. With the value of the dollar to the yen I bought a couple of reels plus a few baits that I want to try. I just got a text that I have a package in the office, that would be the new Plano Frog Box. Also that I have reservations at a restaurant in downtown Charleston so we will need a limo. Well at least that will save me some bucks. My buddy junkyard Charlie has a limo business on the side. This should be interesting!!

What Tom said plus rubber nets are heavy.

100% bait Casting

I use Spike it. & put the baits in Plano 3700 boxes & don't have any problem.

I tend to choose a bait to fish by the conditions in the lake & not the time of year. Water temp is important. Below 45 Degrees I fish the northern side of the lake for the sun will warm it up especially mid afternoon. Lake level is another factor, the higher it is you will find some fish further up. Dikes & rocks are another good place to try different baits, lay downs too. If your new to the lake get a map & ride it & look it over that way you will have a better idea of what you can throw where.

Take a Nap!?

I am from the cross their eyes school.

I can't compare the 2 rods because don't have the imx pro 855c. I do have this rod https://dobynsrods.com/product/dc-705cb/ with a Shimano Scorpion 71 on it. I happen to use the same 2 style of baits as you ask about. I do like this set up a lot & don't think you could go wrong with this rod

The Monkey got me, I could not stand it! I ordered another 22 Bantam XG & saved $116.48 ?. It will replace a Shimano Speedmaster that is on a custom built 6 power rod.

With out a doubt the reel you need for what you want to use it for is the 22 Bantam. I have 3 of the XG models that I Frog & Toads with in heavy cover. With a 6 power rod when I get a good hook set that fish is coming to the boat. You use to be able to get a plastic shim to put on the reel seat if the reel set to low for you. At the present Digitaka has a excellent price on that reel.

I can not think of a good reason to cut the eyes off. Maybe a bass would think it's one fish chasing another. OOPS I remember years ago I read where a bass has a brain smaller than a BB so thats out. Heck just leave it alone & fish it.

I normally fish spinnerbaits lipless crankbaits, crankbaits. I have found a bait that has been working very well in the rip rap this year. It's a new bait to me but it will be rigged & on deck thru the winter for sure. It's called a Stand'n Yabbie.