Hidden in North Carolina’s coastal plain, Contentnea Creek is unknown to most fishermen, but locals know it well and consider it a treasure. After all, the name Contentnea is derived from a Native American phrase meaning “fish passing by.”
Panfish of various species are among the most-common fish found throughout South Carolina’s rivers, and for many anglers, one is held in the highest regard. The redbreast sunfish is a hearty fighter and so brightly colored that its name leaves no one wondering where it came from.
The Lumber River forms the boundary between Robeson and Columbus counties and cuts across the North Carolina-South Carolina border. While geographically important, the true value of the river is that it is the lifeblood of local anglers because its floodplain creates habitats that support many fish species.
Each May, Lake Waccamaw is the site of a special event that’s especially special to fishermen. A mayfly hatch that has been described as “incredible’” acts as an internal alarm that wakes up the 8,936-acre natural lake’s bream population.
For striped bass ranging from 12 to 30 pounds this month, guide Joe Jobin of Xtreme Striper Fishing (704-240-0165) spends his time on Lake Rhodhiss, playing in the sand and trees from the NC 18 bridge upstream to the mouth of the St. John’s River.
It’s tough to beat May for catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes, and fishing for them this time of year is a bit different than it has been for several months. Anglers can still expect to catch a trophy, but they’ll do it with a different technique.
Most of the blue catfish in Lake Monticello will be in the pre-spawn phase in May, so catching 15- to 30-pound catfish is pretty common, according to guide Chris Simpson of Greenwood.
For some anglers who target crappie, they are nothing more than crappie or speckled perch.
Rattling lures can be deadly on bass and crappie, especially in murky water or when fish otherwise have their eyesight compromised. […]
Due to shoals and other features found on rivers such as the lower Saluda, anglers wanting to fish from a watercraft must find vessels other than a traditional, deep- hulled boat.
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