Story by Hunter Baughman | Photos by Tanner & Travis Lyons
I’m coming to you this week from Summerton, South Carolina and the Strike King NPFL Stop One at the Santee Cooper Lakes hosted by Clarendon County Tourism. I’m writing this on Sunday evening after my first day of practice. It’s been really warm here for several days. In typical tournament fashion, a cold front hit and today started out in the upper 30s. The water temperature is anywhere from the low 50s all the way up to nearly 60 degrees, depending on the location.
That’s just the beginning of the weather rollercoaster we’re going to see this week. It’ll be in the upper 20s tonight followed by a warming trend through practice. Then another cold front blows in during the off day (Wednesday) that will be led by severe storms. It’ll be back in the 30s on Thursday night and then there will be another warming trend through the end of the tournament.
Like I said, it’s a true weather roller coaster.
Practice was easier than expected today. I was surprised to get close to a dozen bites. That’s pretty strong. Bites are usually hard to find here. However, the fish I hooked were all 3 pounds or smaller. That size just won’t cut it. For reference, 15 teams out of 55 weighed 20 pounds or more yesterday in a Fishers of Men event. 28 pounds was the winning weight.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll stick with it. I think the NPFL three-day winning weight record of 71-08 will be broken this week. I also think the single day record—30 pounds—is in jeopardy. I think it will take 75-76 pounds to win and 55-56 pounds to get paid. Those are stout predictions, but this place has got them!
From what I’ve seen there will be three main patterns. There will be a bite in submerged vegetation for those who find the needle in a haystack. There will be an offshore brushpile bite. And, as always, there will be a bite on the trees.
Expect jigs and Texas rigs to be flipped. Bladed jigs, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits will be a factor for those that fish a little faster.
Some of the best shallow water fishermen in the world are here this week and they will know exactly what to do. One thing is for sure: there will be some big fish weighed in and you won’t want to miss it!
Hunter Baughman – Angler Profile
