Santee Cooper Baits Recap! What Went Right and Wrong!

[@zooter2345]

Great comeback, Matt! May not have been what you wanted, but the fact you stayed in it and finished where you did shows you deserve to be there. Keep doing what you’re doing and the season will go just fine for you.

[@MattStefanFishing]

much appreciated!

[@itllkeal]

From a hard start to a RESPECTABLE comeback was awesome

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@mikeeller557]

I thought you had boat problems ,when I saw you blanked first day. Thanks AND Great come back.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Bass problems…not boat problems haha

[@robpatterson2441]

Great recap, Matt! Thanks for sharing. Congrats on a great comeback!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@ryanclark1108]

Fished that lake a lot, and you did the right thing. That’s a great area you fished, and that’s the way that lake is, I’ve zeroed out in an area there then went back the next day and caught a 30+lb bag doing the exact same thing.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That’s basically what happened

[@maxcole3930]

Yes it is, one of my favorites down here. Later spring & summer is much better that February!

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome!

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanx Matt. Doing great the new format for you hasn't messed with you. Must be nice fishing for the better chunks of change. Dale Hollow coming up. You gotta be looking forward to that. Redcrest you got that good luck.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet!

[@caseysaunders2137]

Great fishin story ! Thanks for sharing the experience.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rvfishingyet]

Great to come out of 2 uncertain bodies of water with a check, some solid points & big fish. Keep rolling!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@JamFlexx]

Glad i found your channel, quickly becoming my favorite for fishing information. I take you as an honest man with passion for the sport & you keep an upbeat attitude. 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@tombutler7726]

Way to stick with it, Matt! I love how you highlighted the fun of casting and trying to manipulate those casts around the tree bases…

[@MattStefanFishing]

you bet!

[@sc4808]

We caught some nice fish in the backwater ponds the Saturday before your tournament, in 12” of water. I tried the trees on that day with poor results but we were coming off a few warm days. Glad you salvaged your trip on the second day. The upper lake can be treacherous, I have been running it all my life (I’m almost 60) and I still hit things every once in a while, I bumped something the other day in 18’ of water, probably a tall stump or maybe an old chimney but luckily didn’t break anything.

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s a treacherous lake

[@Cornelius798]

Nice breakdown. Rooting for you 👊

[@MattStefanFishing]

Appreciate it!

[@vancegordon9140]

From the Zero to the Hero!!!! Keep it up great determination

[@MattStefanFishing]

will do!

[@1227-h7o]

Great video. Hearing your thought process is very educational. For me, I always want to hear What your throwing, where your throwing it, why your throwing it in those circumstances, and how your throwing it. In other words What, Where, Why, when and How

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching

[@daveschreck6784]

Matt you did nothing wrong the water temps played a big roll in your bites. Glad your area panned out!

[@BenBrewer-qh6up]

Awesome comeback. Anytime you’re in the check line is good tournament.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@joeyhelton7114]

Congratulations Matt!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@sheepdad556]

Great recap and a pretty good tourny too. Keep doing you. 👊. Happy to hear you hitting them on the Ozark.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Appreciate it!

[@stevesmith7164]

Good video Matt, glad you made the top 20🤛

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@johnnyweaver1300]

That chatterbait setup with the red swimbait was key, red this time of year is a good color, I guess the bass like valentines also the month of red, I watched the knockout round & championship days, & matt becker was throwing a red rattle trap that's how he made the championship day, it's one if the greatest come backs of all time, now you have a great opportunity to win 300k, hope you can do it!👍🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@ernieowens742]

Cool comeback dude I started watching and u were 38 and then u started moveing up and the clock was ticking I though u was going to make the cut great job Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@heinrichkellogg7563]

🍺Thanks Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@blackhillsbassing6167]

Keep swinging man.🎣🎣🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do!

[@johnrayner5599]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing the equipment you used111

[@MattStefanFishing]

You bet

[@BigGuy86ed]

Like BMP says you either win or you learn. Solid work out there and way to keep your head in the game!

[@MattStefanFishing]

well said

[@michaelloucks4448]

Hey Matt don't say that about your self your a awesome fisherman and that's the tournament game. There's always the next tournament I hope you do better next time.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I appreciate that!

[@pat632]

Congrats Matt!!💪🏼🎣💪🏼🎣

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!!

[@maxcole3930]

One thing I love about Marion is fishing in woods/swamp. I'm in a kayak so shallow & tight spaces being stealthy is my advantage over a big boat. Big boats can't run & gun in those areas. So Ill have places all to myself & big bass stay shallow on cover all year. Only negative if big ass Gators! I'm only a few inches above the water so I gotta stay aware of them! I keep a pistol on chest rig just in case a gator wants to try get to close or act stupid! Haven't had to use it, hopefully it stays that way... Hopefully your next visit to Santee will be better!, come down during summer on your own time. It will be worth it

[@MattStefanFishing]

It’s a cool place!

[@davidhidalgo5662]

Congrats on a solid finish. Shame the weather but a stall on the fishing it could have been a slug fest. Good luck keep up the hard work.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@maxcole3930]

I was surprised you guys went to Santee when you did. The fish haven't spawned there yet. It's definitely prespawn. With all rain we had month leading your tournament. Water was cooler than normal & extremely dirty! Plus the cold front hitting. All makes for supper tough fishing . At least in my experience. My favorite baits to throw Santee is big swimbaits & big worms, any texas rig or bottom contact baits

[@MattStefanFishing]

Another few weeks would have been nice

[@RickyCarter-ro8fr]

good finish and good luck with the next one 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@andreaseichmann-qu5zx]

Way to charge back in the Derby, love All the content

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@williamknight5142]

Good comeback 👍👍👍👍👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@slimquinn5692]

Great info Matt

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@leeeck3866]

I've only used spin casters all my life. Could you possibly do a video to convince me why I need a baitcaster and when to use it. I want to try a baitcaster this year but not sure why and when to use it. Great come back on Cooper. Congratulations.

[@maxcole3930]

I only used spinning reels my whole life fishing until 4-5 years ago now. The bait casters are awesome but both spinning & bait casters have their place. I use bait casters for heavier baits & use spinning for fitness/light baits. Definitely get a decent bait caster you won't regret it. Now I have more bait casters than spinning

[@MattStefanFishing]

Will do

[@jamesskelton3237]

Great come back Matt! Enjoyed the video. Just curious if you would want to come back to Santee Cooper? I know you do not get the amount of bites as some lakes but quality is there. I went out yesterday and only had 4 bites but had two over 7.

[@MattStefanFishing]

absolutly!

[@outdoorswithjt6652]

Where did you put in? What area was you fishing? Just wondering. I usually fish above 95 but its been a mudhole. Congrats on cutting a check

[@MattStefanFishing]

Tacaw creek was the put in site

[@terrytresemer2864]

It gets easier from here Matt.

[@MattStefanFishing]

I hope haha

[@stephanelavoie2258]

Where is Red Crest this year Matt ? Is it a place you know and like 👍?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Lay lake never been there

[@chrisboyd1408]

Way to go on Day two in your rhythm. Why Jackhammer with Berkley trailer verses Slooberknocker and trailer? Is the Jackhammer that much better?

[@insertname941]

I think hes said the slobberknocker is more specialized for him (laydowns/trees) vs the jackhammer being more "general purpose" ish

[@MattStefanFishing]

I had a white Slobberknocker on as well but preferred the black and blue and no reason to change when I’m catching fish.

[@chrisboyd1408]

Thanks! ​@@MattStefanFishing

[@davehuggins5777]

Now you know what you can do! Just string some day 2 performances together! 😏

[@MattStefanFishing]

Actually day twos have been good. I need better day 1

[@maxcole3930]

A lot those fish stay shallow all year, they were probably glued to bottom with lock jaw. You can't see them on ffs when their tight on bottom! An area full of fish could look like a underwater desert

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@bradbrunson4931]

Not spawning l, yet. If you ever come back, Any cover in 6ft water. From respawn until it gets really cold, they are always fish in cover in 6ft water. You’d think there’s a lot of that here, but really it’s not.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks for sharing

[@MrJohnB-qs6dp]

🤠👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@ericjanke2961]

Hell of a job to get up in the money after day one.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks!

[@johndynneson662]

Why. The. Red trailer. 🤔🤔

[@MattStefanFishing]

works so good!

[@irench]

Not to be the voice of could have done better. But, I watched the MLF replays and from what you said the others didn't have a great first day either. However, I'd say it was that first period that you fell off from what those guys did. Also, I'd say that somehow the other anglers who finished better fished differently. Knowing that you do this for a living and not the video stuff here. I'd say it's kind of important to NOT forget the lessons of this last tourney because you can't let the voice of it's okay everyone else is not catching put you in low gear. Use your tools to the best effect and when it's tough fishing drop a shoulder n do like the Grave Digger Gilbert Brown would do and bury those guys. That way when the fishing comes a little easier and your getting bit on every cast like some Canadian shield lake casting for fang face you'll really sink the boat with weight. I know it's hard. In my industry when the going is slow and work is hard to catch, it's easy to lay back and say I'll do better next time. Digging in and busting but when you have to is the sign of those who will do while others shrug.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ok

[@maxcole3930]

You didn't make bad decisions, it was just bad timing with previous & current weather conditions...

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep

[@frankfarris6485]

way to go 2 down 2 pay days !!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks

[@Triple87]

Definitely a crazy finish to day 2. Damn near made the top 10. Top 20 is great, also got another big bass for heavy hitters. Looking solid after 2 rounds. Good luck at Red Crest, looking forward to it. 🫡

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks