“I have not fished the lakes. We were fishing Lake Murray last weekend and Santee Cooper is off-limits this week before the tournament,” said veteran tournament angler Ken Ellis of Bowman.

“But, they are really catching them. It’s been taking 30 pounds in tournaments all spring and I expect it to be the same Saturday.”

In fact, Ellis who teams with Chuck Howard of Elloree, predicted it will take 30 to 35 pounds to win the CBC Saturday – and probably 24-25 pounds just to get a check.

“Most of the tournaments seem to be won in the upper lake rather than the lower lake this year for some reason,” Ellis said.

“There was a big wave spawning last week so there are a lot of fish up shallow,” he said. “It will be mostly bedding fish so spawning baits like plastics will be good. A swim jig and a Senko have been doing really good and I expect a post spawn bite too. Buzzbaits and frogs should start getting good this week.”

A lot will depends on the wind, Ellis said.

“It looks like it will be cloudy and rainy so the sight fishing will be a little tough. We will probably fish trees, just pick a place based on the wind and weather.”

Although Ellis and Howard have not had a high finish in the first two tournaments – on Lake Murray in February and Lake Wateree last month – they have made a good showing in the points. But, Ellis said, they will not be in contention for the points this spring.

“We will miss a tournament because we will be fishing the CATT Championship here on Santee,” he said.

While they might not challenge for the points, don’t count this duo out on Santee Cooper where they always present a formidable challenge to the rest of the field.

 

Carolinas Bass Challenge – SC Division

Sat, Apr 11, 2015

Santee Cooper Lakes

John C. Land III Landing

Call Brett Collins 803-413-7521

www.carolinasbasschallenge.com