I moved to SC from NH a couple of years ago. The boat ramp to the lower lake (Marion) is a stones throw from my house. One thing I’m good at is patterning a new lake I’ve never been to before. Santee Cooper being my home lake now, I struggle there. I’ll fish all day and get skunked or maybe catch 2 fish, no ,after what I do and how I do it. On the flip I did catch the two biggest bass of my life on Santee Cooper, a pair of 7 pounders back to back in the same weekend, so I was off to a good start. I went up to lake Murray blindfolded and caught a dozen fish both days, come back home and..... I get skunked the following weekend. I’ve been moving around the lake, and fishing every technique possible for what the conditions offer. I’ve been frog fishing a lot, been chasing the shad, fishing the cypress trees like a mad man, spent countless hours at the hatchery. I’m not a fan of picking of beds, so I really don’t fish spawning season. The locals don’t like talking to me, maybe because I’m a northerner And I’m not interested in catching catfish lol? What do y’all do, or what advice can you offer. Don’t need to be spoon fed, just pointed in the right direction. 

Hire a guide during your toughest time of the year. Thats the best option. Buy once, cry once.