Local anglers rely on topwater lures and worm rigs. The Tiny and Baby torpedoes, along with buzzbaits, are excellent from spring on through the summer and fall months. In fact, according to some local fishermen, June and July are among the best months to use these lures for both quality and quantity of largemouths.

The worm rig is particularly effective because of the huge amount of woody debris in the river. One of the keys, as it is with any river system, is the water level at the time you fish.

The river is fed from the Wilson Dam at Lake Marion. Generally, even during dry times, there’s at least a minimal amount of flow in the river. However, the water depth can change dramatically over the course of a few weeks. With heavy spring rains, you may find the water out of the riverbanks at times and into the flat floodplain along the river. A few weeks later, there may be several feet of bare bank from the water level to the top of the bank that was previously under water.

Thus, anglers often have to apply some common sense and logic in deciding where to fish. The same logs or treetops that produced in May can be high and dry in July. When that occurs, get back to the basics and key on cover and structure near the deeper holes. The deeper, slow-moving pools of water are generally good and sometimes the fish will be very tight in thick cover. Accurate casting can make a huge difference in the potential for bass hookups. Access is quite limited; however, below the Wilson Dam there is a good landing and at the Highway 52 bridge, there is good access. Also, since this river creates some real navigation and safety issues at times, it’s far better to motor slowly and safely based on the existing water level. This is not a “big-boat” type river. Small craft like johnboats are ideal.

While the Broad and Santee rivers may not be prime places for big bass tournaments, the pure enjoyment of bass fishing on highly productive, pristine rivers is enough reward for many anglers.

But these river fisheries have the potential to produce limits of bass as well as trophy fishing throughout most of the year.

This is a limited view of the awesome bass-fishing potential in South Carolina. But it does highlight some of the top fisheries in the state and how you can enjoy them this year.

Pick your hotspot and go now.

Find more about South Carolina fishing and hunting at: SCgameanfish.com