Santee Cooper, late February

[Hook2Jaw]

I'm fishing the KBF Open there in late February, and wondering if anyone had any tips and potential patterns.  I have a few spots in mind with the idea that it will be prespawn and some might actually be on beds, but really don't have and absolutely cannot find concrete information on neither Marion or Moultrie.

[KHNC]

It will be VERY crowded im sure. Put in at rocks pond and go back under the little bridge just up from the ramp. Lots of great backwater area to check out. There should be plenty of prespawn bass back in there to find. You wont be alone anywhere. Secret spots on Santee no longer exist. lol. 

[Hook2Jaw]

I'm not all that worried about finding secret honey holes or being given any, but I think I've about figured out that the big girls will either be prespawn or possibly on beds.  My plan is to hunt them on flats with deep water access nearby.  I've found several spots to try thus far, but I will add that Rock's Pond area to the list.

 

My plan is to scout four spots with flats and the aforementioned deep channel access on Friday, with a lineup of topwater(spook and whopper plopper), lipless, squarebill and wakebait, and weedless paddletail.  On the bottom contact and finesse side I will have a weighted Texas rig ready to go for worm, craw, and lizard, in addition to finesse jig and casting jigs.  My spinning rods will have weightless Texas worm and fluke and shakyhead.

 

About 7 sticks.  Hopefully I can load the boat with moving baits and pick up a few bites on slower presentations or at least put 5 on the board tossing YUM Dingers to cypress.