Santee Cooper Big Fish Derby
If the potential for giant catfish and striped bass isn’t enough to lure you to fish South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Lakes, perhaps the addition of $39,200 in cash and prizes might encourage you to make the trip.
March 28-April 24, the third annual Big Fish Big Bucks Fishing Derby will reward anglers who catch big fish on the Santee chain with cold hard cash. There are prizes for biggest fish in four categories: bass, crappie, catfish and striper. One daily prize of $100 and one weekly prize of $500 will be awarded to the biggest fish in each class. When the derby ends, the biggest fish in each class will earn $5,000.
Eligible waters include Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie and the Diversion Canal of the Santee Cooper Lakes in South Carolina. These waters are renowned for producing huge fish. Eight current South Carolina records came from the Santee lakes. Among them are a 16.2-pound largemouth, a 5-pound black crappie, a 5.7-pound shellcracker, a 58-pound channel cat, a 109.4-pound blue cat and a 77.3-pound flathead.
Anglers must register to participate prior to catching a winning fish. Tickets, which are good for the length of the derby, may be purchased at multiple area businesses, which will also serve as weigh stations. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Anglers fishing with a guide can purchase tickets for $5, and the registration is good for the length of the hire.
For information, go to www.bigfishbigbucks.com.