South Carolina Bass Fishing: A Two-Handed Landing
South Carolina is a state of natural beauty with spectacular, striking views. From the Blue Ridge Mountains to sprawling metropolitan communities, bass fishing South Carolina offers something for everyone including the most exciting striped bass fishing in the United States. Throughout early South Carolina colonial times, the striped bass were plentiful and abundant often times used to fertilize fields. With the introduction of the first conservation law in South Carolina, introduced in 1639, South Carolina law forbade the use of this fish species for such purposes, upheld to this date. Bass fishing for striped South Carolina bass, also known as “Rockfish” or “Striper”, has grown rapidly as an up-coming sport fishing exploration.
Characteristics of the South Carolina Striped Bass
With several dark very distinguishable markings of continuous stripes along the side of the South Carolina striped bass, and large gaping mount, bass fishing for a South Carolina striped bass can be an adventure beyond all other previous bass fishing excursions due to the mammoth size of this South Carolina “state game fish”. Once considered as a nuisance fish, the South Carolina striped bass has little or no impact on other species of sport fish, feeding mainly on shad, menhaden, herring and minnows. Although predominately a saltwater fish, the South Carolina striped bass travel to the fresh, crystal clean waters of South Carolina lakes and streams to spawn in March or April.
Record Proportion
South Carolina striped bass often reach epic proportions in weight and girth. With the South Carolina striped confirmed bass state record of fifty-nine pounds (59lbs) eight-ounces (8oz) caught in Lake Hartwell in 2002, other un-confirmed larger South Carolina striped bass have been caught in Lake Russell in 2009, weighing sixty-three pounds (63lbs) four-ounces (4oz) hooked with a blue back herring lure. Bass fishing for a South Carolina striped bass has often been referred to as a “two-handed landing”. The largest striped bass ever caught and recorded was a one-hundred and twenty-five pound (125lb) female striped bass estimated to be over thirty (30) years old.
South Carolina Striped Bass Fishing Tournaments
Of all the pristine lakes and rivers that flow throughout this picturesque breath-taking State, striped bass tournaments in South Carolina are commonly held throughout the year on the following five main rivers:
- Cooper
- Santee
- Congaree
- Waleree
- Saulda above Lake Murray
Typically an intra-state bass tournament, National bass tournaments have also been held in South Carolina attracting syndicated media attention, drawing professional anglers across the United States.
Bass Fishing Boats of South Carolina
Bass boats of South Carolina come in all sizes and configurations from powerful one-hundred and thirty horsepower custom-built new bass boats to the traditional bass fishing boats handed down through passed generations. Regardless, new or used bass boats used in the many productive lakes and rivers throughout South Carolina are cherished family members with a long legacy and tradition of bringing aboard a two-handed landing.
Bass Fishing South Carolina
Whether you’re a pro angler or a amateur, getting involved in bass tournaments is easier than you may think. Find all the information you need when you visit the bass tournament listings. If you don’t see what you need, please check out the bass blogs and ask a question in the forum.
