Other lakes that are capable of producing extremely well this year are some of the more traditional hotspots, such as lakes Marion and Wylie.

In addition, two rivers belong in this list of top black bass fisheries: the Broad and Santee rivers. The Broad River is one of the premier smallmouth bass fisheries in the state -- and that fishery is still expanding, according to Self. Also, the largemouths are often overlooked in the Broad River. Anglers forget, or don’t know, that those long, placid pools of water between the smallmouth hotspots harbor excellent numbers of largemouth bass in quality sizes.

Let’s begin in the middle of the state with a look at Lake Murray.

According to Ross Self, Lake Murray is in prime condition for largemouth bass. That biological overview is strongly supported by reports from Lake Murray bass fishermen.

According to many local anglers, we are now approaching the time of year anglers who love largemouth bass fishing need to be spending plenty of time on Lake Murray. The mid-March through early-May period is among the best time of the year on this lake for largemouth bass. At least, this is certainly the time when an abundance of bass-fishing pressure is placed on the lake.

Several Lake Murray bass fishermen note they do well throughout the summer. They fish deeper water, such as points, humps and ledges near the channels. Then again, in the fall the shallow-water action perks up. According to several anglers, the fall fishing at Lake Murray is also absolutely awesome, but the fishing pressure is significantly less. Plus, the pleasure boating crowd has dwindled; pleasure boating can have a negative effect during the summer months, especially on weekends.

Access to the lake is excellent, with numerous landings and marinas around the lake. Water clarity is one issue that will influence how deep the fish are holding and the best techniques to catch them.

Typically, during the spring, almost any type of reasonable largemouth tactic has great potential for success. Spinnerbaits in the backs of coves, worms and weightless worms along the shallow cover and docks, and crankbaits off points will all produce well. During the summer, the fish migrate deeper, and deep fishing on humps, ridges and long points will produce. Or you can fish at night and return to shallower patterns.

Ross Self added that other work to benefit largemouth bass is currently ongoing at Lake Murray.

“The SCDNR is working with the Tri-State Bass Club on a cooperative effort of planting water willow and maiden cane in selected areas of the lake,” Self said. “These species will hopefully provide long-term shallow-water cover for various fish species, including largemouths.”

The next lake we’ll consider is Lake Marion. Lake Marion has undergone some weed transformations over the years. Years ago, the abundance of woody cover made this lake very popular and productive for “target-oriented” bass fishermen. Then, the influx of weeds came and anglers had to re-learn the mechanics of catching largemouths in that environment. Now, the weeds have been significantly curtailed, but many of the old patterns and successful tactics are again the norm.