UTERLargemouth bass fishing in South Carolina freshwater
In South Carolina freshwater, largemouth bass peak February–May and October–November and are around year-round, spawning in March–April, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Santee Cooper bass on the beds in the cypress and the swamp ponds.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Largemouth bass in South Carolina freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryPeak
- MarchSpawningSantee Cooper bass on the beds in the cypress and the swamp ponds.
- AprilSpawning
- MayPeak
- JuneAround
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberPeak
- NovemberPeak
- DecemberAround
Where to fish largemouth bass near Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell
Santee Cooper's blues, stripers and bass, Murray's stripers, Hartwell and the upstate highland lakes, blackwater rivers for redbreast, and Chattooga trout.
What to use for largemouth bass
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 45–92°F water, best at 62–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch largemouth bass in South Carolina freshwater?
Peak season is February–May and October–November, with fish spawning in March–April (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Largemouth bass are here year-round. March: Santee Cooper bass on the beds in the cypress and the swamp ponds.
Where do largemouth bass hold in South Carolina freshwater?
Look on lake, reservoir, pond / pit, river, creek / stream, dock / pilings — around Santee Cooper, Lake Murray, Lake Hartwell, Lake Keowee, Edisto River, Chattooga River.
What is the best bait for largemouth bass in South Carolina freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for largemouth bass in South Carolina freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/regulations.html before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.dnr.sc.gov/licensing.html.
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