Largemouth Bass

Elko, South Carolina, offers some excellent freshwater largemouth bass fishing, particularly in the numerous ponds and smaller lakes scattered around the area. These often-overlooked honey holes can hold some surprisingly big bass. Spring is undoubtedly the best time, as the fish move shallow to spawn. Target shallow vegetation with spinnerbaits, lipless cranks, or soft plastics. Summer can be productive too, but you'll need to fish deeper structure like submerged timber or drop-offs during the heat of the day. A local's secret is to fish the smaller, privately-owned ponds (with permission, of course!). These often see less pressure and can be teeming with bass. The largemouth here tend to be healthy and well-fed, thanks to the abundant forage. Don't be afraid to experiment with different lure presentations to find what the fish are hitting on a given day. Remember to practice catch and release to help maintain the quality of the fishery.