North Carolina
What: Largemouth bass, striped bass
Where: Catawba River, upper end of Lake Norman.
Techniques: Fan-cast Alabama rigs with Keitech 4.3-inch baits in Tennessee Shad. Look for fish along seams or in calm areas downstream from large, rock outcroppings in heavy current.
Launch: Lookout Shoals Ramp, 4750 Lookout Dam Rd., Catawba, N.C., provides access to the Lookout Shoals Dam tailrace and the river below it.
Insider Tip: Pay attention to water releases when fishing below Lookout Shoals Dam, currents can become treacherous with little warning. Always wear your PFD.
South Carolina
What: Largemouth bass, Smallmouth bass, striped bass,
Where: Congaree River near Columbia, at confluence with any medium to large tributary
Techniques: Fish spinnerbaits with big, Colorado blades or large, paddletail swimbaits slow and deep. Look for stained areas.
Launch: The Congaree has three public launch sites around Columbia: Barney Jordan, Bates Bridge and Thomas H. Newman.
Insider Tip: Shad do not die off as much the further south you go; paddlers can take advantage of shad kills longer. Pay attention to the water and your surroundings. Fish will continue to school on bait.
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