Striped Bass

If you're heading to Mullins, South Carolina, in pursuit of striped bass, you'll be focusing your efforts on the Little Pee Dee River and its tributaries. The spring spawning run is prime time, as the stripers migrate upstream. Fall can also be productive as the fish feed aggressively before winter. Focus on areas with structure like submerged logs and rock piles, as these provide ambush points for the stripers. A local tip is to check the water release schedule from upstream dams, as changes in water flow can trigger feeding activity. Access to the river is available at several public boat ramps and parks, but be aware of shallow areas and downed trees, especially in the upper reaches. The striped bass in this area tend to be in the smaller range, but they can be scrappy fighters, and the chance of hooking into a larger fish always exists. Live bait like shad or herring is a popular choice, but artificial lures like crankbaits and swimbaits can also be effective.