I feel like the pundits including myself have been crying wolf a bit about the chance of anglers joining the Century Club and getting those elusive belts for catching 100 pounds. I feel confident that the winning weight will be larger than either of our early Florida events. The last time the Bassmaster Elite Series visited Santee Cooper in March, six anglers had more than 100 pounds, and it took 72 pounds to make the final day cut.
We have been hearing report of pollen on boat covers and in the backs of pockets. Other positive signs involves warming water temps and slow rising water leading into a full moon on the second day of tournament competition. On paper things are lining for a big-time spawning event, but we also thought that about Harris Chain. So we will wait and see what Mother Nature hands the field at Santee Cooper.
Navigation has a chance to be a wild card this week and could bite Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing players. You could easily pick an angler that is on good fish, but they could have a stroke of bad luck and take out a prop shaft or lower unit. That will only add to the excitement.
Parting words: Make sure you have a few big bass hunters on your roster this week to try to capture big bass and big bag bonus points. If you have not signed up for text alerts, make sure you sign up on the Bassmaster Fantasy homepage.
BUCKET A: JOHNSTON
Yes, I realize that there are no smallmouth bass in Santee Cooper Lakes, but hear me out. I generally don’t like picking a Johnston brother when they are both in the same bucket because I always get that choice wrong. But more importantly, Cory Johnston loves to sight fish big largemouth and has a solid track record in these types of events.
Not so fast
At first glance, John Cox seemed like an obvious, no-brainer pick in a sight fishing event with shallow water that gives tin boat anglers an advantage. That is until I realized Cox is scheduled to fish another major event on the Harris Chain that overlaps the practice period for Santee Cooper. I know Cox has done well in events with no practice and rolling in after driving all night, but it has also bit him. I am not willing to roll the dice on that this week.
BUCKET B: POWROZNIK
Jacob Powroznik didn’t have the Bassmaster Classic event I thought he would have. But he has survived Florida, and now the Elite Series swings a little closer to home where he has plenty of tournament success. Not to mention, a stick worm will certainly be a strong player, and J-Pow is one of the best with a soft plastic stick worm.
Anther big gun during the spawn
Brandon Cobb won a Bassmaster Elite Series event sight fishing in 2019, so definitely don’t sleep on Cobb this week. Not to mention he has shown on Lake Fork he knows how to win slugfests.
BUCKET C: CHRIS JOHNSTON
Sticking with my opening statements in Bucket A, I am going to take both Johnston brothers this week. Chris Johnston also is no stranger to sight fishing. I look for both Johnston boys to flirt with a Top 10 this week in South Carolina.
More in his wheelhouse
Many fantasy players got burned by picking KJ Queen for the Classic based on his geographic proximity. If you are in that camp, don’t let that phase you this week. Queen loves to sight fish, and that should play big time this week.
BUCKET D: PALMER
My rule of thumb is if nobody jumps out at me after a first glance in a bucket and I see Luke Palmer as an option, I usually click the plus button to add him. Not to mention Palmer should be carrying in some good South Carolina vibes from the Classic, and he is one of the most consistent anglers on the Elites over his career.
Santee is full of cypress trees
When thinking of other areas in the country that have their share of cypress trees, Mississippi comes to mind. Using that logic, I am sure that Brock Mosely knows how to catch bass off cypress trees. A bladed jig could be strong this week at Santee Cooper with bass coming and going from spawning flats.
BUCKET E: KENNEDY
I have been very open about my feelings picking Steve Kennedy in Fantasy Fishing. I feel it is a bit like playing roulette with your Fantasy roster, but this week just feels right. Kennedy has several top finishes on Santee Cooper including a Century Celt back in 2006.
For those that don’t like to gamble
The other two anglers I gave strong consideration would be Kyle Welcher and Hunter Shryock. Both are very accomplished shallow water anglers, and both are probably safer picks then Kennedy.
Drain the Lake
Now onto Mercury Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge. This additional fantasy fishing game not only offers a fresh way to play the game, but a separate prize pool. Drain the Lake is an elimination or survivor-style game where you can only use an angler once all season.
Now that you have potentially used up about a quarter of your favorite Elite Series angler, the decisions and picks get tougher every event from here on out.
Here is my Santee Cooper Drain the Lake roster:
• Gerald Swindle
• Jason Williamson
• Bryan New
• Stephen Kennedy
• Matt Arey
• Caleb Sumrall
• Stetson Blaylock
• Clark Wendlandt
To watch HellaBass Pundit Picks, click here!
