I am going to be staying in Santee for a few days at a house with a dock and am not planning to take the boat at this point. I am a saltwater guy and know little about fishing freshwater. What rigs, bait, etc, would be best for catfish from the dock? I have heard that live bait works well, but have never done it. Also, I assume that nights are better? Thanks in adavance.
My setup is 30lb braid to a 1 1/4 oz troll sinker. 14` 50lb leader medium sized cigar cork and 4/0 team catfish circle hook. Live bream the best followed by cut bream cut shad herring Darryls stink bait. Fish a smaller rig with stink bait or worms for channels. The bite is normally hour and a half before sunset till two to three hours after sunrise. But the weather is the rule here. Good luck. All fish gotta eat 
Thanks!!
OK, going this weekend and next week. Anything else I need to know? Can you buy live bait in Santee?
Yes you can; You can buy live Gizzard Shad at the Santee General Store (HESS Station) in Ssantee.
Carolina rig, using a 1/2 to 2 ounce sinker (depending on your preference, but use as small as possible). 18-24" leader, I prefer 50lb mono. 3/0 to 8/0 circle hook, catfish have rather large mouths.
For bait, you can always start with chicken livers or other store bought live/cut bait. Shrimp works quite well also.
For something larger, your best bet is going to be the live fish. The shad mentioned above, or use cut bream/bluegill. Some folks take bluegill, clip their fins so that they thrash around trying to swim.
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Thanks guys! I will be heading up shortly and will try all of the above.