santee cooper Fishing Report 2025

Our hunt for mahi mahi was rudely interrupted by big schools of 10-30 lb yellowfin tuna. 107 yellowfin, 23 skipjack. 20-30 lb and size 2 hook was the hot setup. Few fish on colt snipers as well !

~~Oct. 9
 Good evening to everyone at home or wherever you may read this.  After one night dockside we were back to the boat this afternoon.  We headed to the fuel dock and changed oil and fuel filters, filled her all the way up on fuel, grabbed some brine making salt and loaded 2 weeks worth of food.  Shortly after getting back to Fishermans Landing, all our dogs got here.  I'm talking about George, Craig, Charlie, the Jer-bear, the Bry man, Bernie, Scott and the infamous J.C.  Infamous.  That's like really famous. 

 We took our time at the bait receivers to ensure we had the best that bait could offer us.  We're pretty happy with it at the moment.  For the next 4 days we'll be traveling to our destination of the Shamada seamount.  AKA Hurricane Bank.  And speaking of hurricanes, there isn't one at the moment.  Lately they've just been rolling in one after another but for now, none.  It's our destiny to get down below and catch very large yellowfin and wahoo.  Tommy spent a bunch of money and rented a system that allows us to get on the web where ever we are which allows us too look at all our weather web sites to keep track of storms that may be an issue to us.  So worry not.  We won't be anywhere near a low pressure system this trip.  Safe and sound out here as always.

 Anyways, it sure looked to me like everyone had a good afternoon hanging out, getting there cigar on and doing what they do.  We didn't even make it through dinner before the Bry-man and the Jer-bear got on what they call Team Bernard.  It's there thing to talk some smack and make fun of Scott and Bernie and it's hilarious on all sides.  Here we go.

 So for the next few days we'll be getting ready for a week of some hardcore fishing.  Rigging tackle, tuna and wahoo seminars, naps, movies, food, cocktails...  I think the next few reports will read like this paragraph we're on now.
        

A couple years ago we lost one of our favorite passengers, “Iron Mike” Morrison. Today our charter group honored him on his birthday with a stellar day of fishing. 96 yellowfin 68 skipjack 58 yellowtail.

2 yellowfin 5 dorado 51 yellowtail. Plenty of kelps but no lucky ones for us today.

The Bluefin started biting before sunrise and like a broken record, more than their share got away, we went 10 for about 25 on the 45-55 pound Bluefin, the hot ticket being the flatfall. After sunrise, the plump Yellowfin bit for several hours, being caught primarily on flylined 20 pound.

108 yellowfin 27 skipjack. These tuna stops have been going from boredom to chaos in a matter of seconds. Knowing how to tie your own hook and leader, having your own pair of pliers, and listening to the crew and making slight adjustments during the stop will keep you in the game. We recommend taking some time before you come out or on the way to the fishing grounds to practice tying on your hook/leader. Our crew members can inspect and show you the right way to do it so when we’re in a hot bite you’re ready for action.

115 yellowfin tuna 98 skipjack tuna. 80 of our yellowfin were 18-30 lbs. the rest were 10 pounders. The skipjack are extra large. Please bring a 25 lb rod and a 40 or 50 lb rod. Size #2 hooks for your 25 lb rod and size #1 for your 40 or 50 lb rod.