A final strategy for catching bass on Lake Wateree in the summertime is to focus on the shoreline cover. In this scenario, the fisherman will often target areas that drop fairly quickly from shallow water down to the 12- to 15-foot depth range. There are a number of steeply sloped shorelines found throughout the lake where this occurs. Many of these shorelines will have logs, boulders and stumps as ambush points for the bass. The most commonly used lure here is the plastic worm rigged either Carolina or Texas style.

This can be a "numbers" strategy for bass anglers, even during July. Typically, many of the fish caught will be in the 12-inch or shorter class. However, there will usually be ample numbers of quality fish as well. This method may require the most patience of all in that you may have to patiently cover large amount of territory before finding an area that has respectable fish. I know of several fishermen that employ this as their tactic of choice and they make excellent catches throughout the summer.

This methodical method is good throughout the lake, but it can really excel in the upper half of the lake, from the Beaver Creek area and uplake. Specifically, the areas around June, Rochelle, Singleton Dutchmans and Taylor creeks are all excellent.

My experience has been that when you find a stretch that produces some quality fish, work it again thoroughly before moving on. Quality fish bites may only occur periodically, but with patience, you can score good catches in a full day of fishing.

One final technique that produces quality fish at times are the shallow water flats at the back of most of the larger creeks. Often the shad minnows will congregate in these places and the shallow-water forage that these minnows represent will draw some good-sized largemouths. While the specific type of fishing is a less dependable scenario than most of the other methods described, it can produce several good fish in short order when conditions are right. It's worth checking periodically during the course of the day.

Both lakes Wateree and Greenwood will produce quality largemouth fishing throughout the summer months. While it's certainly a different game than during the spring, adjust your tactics and thinking and you can enjoy excellent largemouth fishing even in hot weather.

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