Re: Spud, check out this bag.

ICATiger

Orange Blooded [2987]

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Joined: 1/23/10

Feb 5, 2023, 6:13 PM [ in reply to Re: Spud, check out this bag. ]

For several years Santee Cooper lakes held the largest 3day and 4day total weights 100lb+ for BFL and BASS. Yes, you were more likely to catch a 10-12lb bass in Florida but bass average was bigger on Santee. The lakes were full of 6- 8lb'rs. I won a 1 day team tournament with 7fish that weighed 47'15oz. Had a 9'3 and 8'14 that day and were flipping 5lb fish back because they couldn't help.

I have recently fished a tournament, 2 or 3yrs ago, it took 28lbs with 5fish to finish in top 5 and 37lb to win. 3 stringers over 30lbs that day.

But in the brilliance of DNR and Santee Cooper power, they have killed 90+% of the vegetation in Santee. They destroyed all the protection for small fry and yearling fish, there has been almost zero recruitment of many species for last 6-8yrs and the population has regressed astronomically.

They ruined a rich recreational body of water that brought ppl from around the country to fish. Due to this the economical impact has been huge plus add Covid, many marina and camp grounds have closed or are for sale. Businesses based around guiding, fishing, camping, bass-crappie-catfish tournaments reduced by 90%. A failure to the communities abd failure to properly manage a once abundant water system.

I still fish Santee, still do a couple tournaments, but the ability to even catch 5 a day is hard, the ability to catch 5 quality fish is harder unless you catch them that window of bedding when very predictable.

But from 1985-2010, i would put Santee lakes against all the lakes in the US on a daily average.

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There are 2 strains of Largemouth, Florida strain and Northern strain. The Florida strain get bigger because they typically can eat 12mos a year, they obtain more length. But they also tend to be more finicky, tend to feed on specific type fodder changing throughout the year. The Florida strain is basically across the southern 1/3 of the US. Very small overlap with smallmouth.

The Northern strain take over the upper 2/3 of IS where they are in competition with smallmouth. The Northern strain becomes much easier to catch vs Florida strain because they have shorter growth periods with colder winters but also have to compete with smallmouth. The Northern strain tends to put on more mass per inch of length vs Florida putting on both but a 5lb northern will be 1-2" shorter.

There are several lakes testing the hybrids of Northern with Florida. They are showing great results and expected new records to be hybrid strains. Take the more voracious Northern and put its heavier body on a longer Florida strain and you get larger bass.

Some of these greatly managed private ponds that are owned by Bill Dance, Johnny Morris, Ray Scott, etc., have been stocked with thus new hybrid and they have 8-10lb bass all over their ponds.

Spud, check out this bag.

Re: Spud, check out this bag.

they are a lot more aggressive too

Re: Spud, check out this bag.

Two rules.

Re: Two rules.

Re: Two rules.

Yessir, they get smaller the farther north you go...Just the

Dang...that one toad could win some 5 fish limits all by

Dang, my best fishing dreams dont turn out as successful as that***

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