Since that time, stripers have been spawning and living year round in the Santee Cooper lakes system. Spring - In March, April and May stripers make their way up through the diversion canal and generally by way of the riverbeds in the lakes, up the Congaree and Wateree Rivers for their annual spawning run. As a result, fishermen concentrate on the rivers and Lake Marion. During this period, live herring is the best bait followed by cut bait. The fish are concentrated in deep holed.
Herring is sold at most fish camps.
Recommended tackle includes 8 to 9 foot rods, free spool reels with clickers and 20 to 30 pound test line. Summer - After spawning, stripers head back down the rivers and into the lakes and deep water where herring is effective along the old sunken river channels. When the weather gets hot, they are found in the deepest holes in the lake. In September and October stripers start to school and frequently surface as they chase the gizzard shad. Anglers drift in these areas jigging the bottom with spoons and bucktails.