The only thing that beats the smell of frying catfish on a summer afternoon is the fun of catching them. Greenville area residents are lucky, because the places they can go to in order to catch a mess of summer cats are many indeed. You can fish small lakes, big lakes and rivers and bring home some of the best-eating fish in fresh water.

If you want to target trophy cats, you can do that, too. Some area lakes hold 30-pound (or larger) flatheads, channels and blues. They offer a challenge to any fisherman and will test your tackle. Many anglers who target big cats practice catch-and-release so that the fish can fight again; there are plenty of eatin'-sized cats available for hot grease.

Catfish bait is only limited by your imagination. Everything from the traditional chicken livers to the homemade concoctions that only you use will catch cats -- particularly channel cats. Collect your own bait, buy it at a bait and tackle store, or mix it up in a bowl: Just be sure that, if you mix your own stink baits, you use a bowl that your wife won't use to hit you with when she finds out what you did.

Earthworms are hard to beat for channels, blues and bullheads. A live bream will catch flatheads and the bigger the bait, the bigger the flathead you are likely to hook. Channel and white cats seem especially fond of liver. Cut bait, stink bait, blood bait, mussels and even cheese all work to catch cats.

You can fish from the bank in many places, but a boat will get you to more waters. When fishing from the bank, make sure you have permission to be on the shoreline. You can launch a boat on public access and stay on the water in rivers and lakes without problems, but make sure the spot you use to launch is open to the public so your vehicle will be there when you return.

Watch for advisories on eating fish. The only place listed below that has restrictions based on water pollution is Lake Hartwell; you should not eat meals of catfish from there at all.

The following waters are within an hour's drive of most Greenville cat fishermen and offer you good fishing.

SALUDA RIVER
The Saluda River can be divided into two parts for Greenville fishermen. The river above Saluda Lake is different in character from the river below the lake and you should approach each differently.

Above the lake, the river has cooler water, more current and more shoals. Access is limited, but once you get to the water, it is public since it is a navigable stream. You can use a boat on the river, but obviously, the public does not automatically have permission to launch or land on private property.

A canoe or kayak is ideal for fishing this area of the river and there are access points at Pearson Circle, Old Hunts Bridge and Easley Combined Utilities.