A Spectacular Spring in Santee Cooper Country

By: Morgan Gilbert

In Santee Cooper Country, your outdoor adventure truly does begin here. With endless ways to spend your days outside, planning a spring getaway to the loveliest lowcountry South Carolina has to offer has never been easier. Join us as we indulge in sunny days, lush spring breezes and the abundance of natural flora that decorates Santee Cooper Country during this time of year. No matter how you choose to spend your spring, we’ve got sensational activities to add to your itinerary. 

Your Guide To Fall Festivities in Santee Cooper Country

There’s nothing quite like fall in Santee Cooper Country. No matter which counties you choose to visit, we guarantee delicious meals, beautiful scenery, and an abundance of history to delve into. There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy as we enter a season of changing leaves and fresh, crisp, South Carolina air. We’ve outlined some of our must-do autumn adventures and even gathered a list of accommodations to ensure you fall in love with Santee Cooper Country.

84+ pound catfish is new bowfishing world record

Stuart Vandyke arrowed the fish on Jan. 6, 2023

Stuart Vandyke of Eutawville, SC was happy for his friend David Ard, who arrowed an 80-pound catfish at Santee on Dec. 22, 2022. That fish set the new bowfishing South Carolina State and World records according to the Bowfishing Association of America.

2022 Crappie Camp at Clarendon Club

Fishing for crappie on the Santee Cooper Lakes in the Fall is always a good idea, especially if you can stay in ‘Fish Camp’ for a couple of nights to really dial in on the fish.

What began with a phone call from Capt. Joe Dennis, ended up with a chance to fish with Pro Angler Whitey Outlaw and his son Matt, filming for an episode of Father And Son Outdoors TV show. These two Outlaws caught crappie so fast, one after the other from the front of the boat, it was like an Army Drill instructor calling out Left, Right, Left, Right as they took turns reeling in a crappie.

DNR Unsung Hero

Unsung Conservation Champions: Santee Cooper Country’s Mary Shriner

Santee Cooper Country Director Mary Shriner will retire this month after 35 years of promoting the outdoor travel adventures and natural resources available to visitors in the Santee Lakes region of South Carolina. Needless to say, she’s seen a few changes during that time.

by David Lucas

Hanahan Angler Catches 77.1 Lbs Santee Cooper Catfish

Hanahan angler catches 77-pound Santee Cooper catfish
Brian Carroll Catfish, Fishing, Newsletters
Angler was fishing for bass out of Black’s Camp
Jason Cribb of Hanahan, S.C. caught a 77.1-pound Arkansas blue catfish at Santee Cooper this past Wednesday, Oct. 30. He was targeting largemouth bass when he caught the big fish on a live herring in 20 feet of water.

I Am Not a Catfisherman…..Yet

– By Two Dog Outdoors

This past week though, I was given the opportunity to fish with folks that have dedicated themselves to catching catfish predictably for twenty years.

Our guides, “Mouse” and “Boudreaux” Witherell, took two other outdoor writers (Pete Rogers and PJ Perea) and myself out on Lake Marion at sunrise for hours of consistent action on the lake.

Their company, Santee Cajun Guides, is a family run business. They fish Lake Marion or Moultrie for upwards of 240 days a year. Some days, that means multiple boats as each captain has their own spacious Pontoon boat.

Using a Mouse to Catch a Cat

(Editor’s Note: RheaReview.com outdoor editor Richard Simms recently returned from a 10-day road trip. Of course fishing was high on the agenda. This is the first of a series on fishing trips he experienced. Perhaps you might want to add them to your Bucket List as well.)