Largemouth lovers rejoice

May’s prime weather brings prime bass fishing

Largemouth bass anglers in the Carolinas love the month of May. One reason is because the weather has usually stablilized, and is much more pleasant for fishing.

South Carolina

Lake Murray is known for its healthy largemouth bass population. During May, bass can be found in shallow water near submerged vegetation and structure, where they feed aggressively on baitfish. Anglers often have success using topwater lures early in the morning and switching to soft plastics or crankbaits later in the day.

Early morning anglers should pay special attention to rocky banks, where largemouth are attracted to spawning baitfish, which attempt to hide in the many crevices of the rocks there. A bonus for largemouth anglers is the lake’s stripers, which also spend a lot of time stalking the small coves for those same baitfish. They’ll hit a largemouth lure with abandon, and some bass anglers complain of having to “weed through” the stripers just to catch their intended target fish.

Lake Moultrie, the “Lower Lake” of the Santee Cooper system, offers excellent largemouth action in its cypress-laden shallows and along the edges of grass beds. Anglers often report success flipping jigs or Texas-rigged worms around structure and fallen timber.

North Carolina

In North Carolina, Lake Norman and Shearon Harris Lake are prime locations for May bass fishing.

Lake Norman is a sprawling reservoir where post-spawn bass seek refuge in docks, brush piles, and rocky points. Anglers targeting bass here often rely on finesse techniques such as drop-shot rigs and shaky heads. Topwater lures like poppers and walk-the-dog lures can also draw aggressive strikes in low-light conditions.

Shearon Harris Lake is known for producing trophy-sized bass. In May, bass move to deeper water near submerged humps and ledges but remain eager to chase down baitfish. Anglers fishing here often find success using deep-diving crankbaits and Carolina rigs to entice bites from suspended bass.

While tactics vary slightly between lakes, anglers in both states should focus on areas with structure and cover, as bass often use these spots as ambush points.

As always, persistence and adaptability to changing conditions can lead to a successful day on the water in both Carolinas.