Check out these blackwater rivers for summer bass

bass

Use topwater baits for summer bass on the Waccamaw and Little Pee Dee.

During the dog days of August, the hot, summer sun will continue to bake the Carolinas and take a toll on anglers.

But if they’re still pumped up about catching a limit of largemouth bass, they need not fear. August is a great time to target bass in the black water rivers in the coastal plains of both states. The Waccamaw and Little Pee Dee rivers are ground zero for the action. And topwater lures are the weapons of choice.

The flatlands are bisected by blackwater swamps and river systems with ancient cypress and tupelo trees towering above their banks. The typical blackwater river is the central run of a much larger swamp system. These contain hundreds of acres of shallow wetlands. And they harbor a rich community of organisms at the bottom end of the food pyramid. These systems are loaded with every type of slimy creature that slithers or hops. And bass make a living off them, which plays right into fishermen’s wheelhouses. Plus, the towering trees dangling on the river’s banks provide shade. And that helps keep the river water manageable and ideal for feeding bass.

When summer’s heat and the lack of rainfall coincide, the water recedes. That’s when every living creature gets confined to the main channels. And it’s where they become easy pickings for bass and other fish at the top of the food chain.

Summer is prime time for river bassin’

Tory McCallum of Dillon, S.C., spends the spring fishing bass tournaments on bigger reservoirs. But when June arrives, he trades his big, fiberglass bass boat for a creek boat and fishes the Little Pee Dee River just outside his back door.

“The river fishing starts getting good in June and will peak during August,” he said. “The fish concentrate in the main channel of the river around stumps and logs in the deep water. But you can catch them anywhere in the channel this time of year when the water is low.”

Near Dillon, where the Little Pee Dee’s headwaters are located, the actual channel may only be 40 feet wide, with some tight spots constricted even further. Blowdowns narrow the path even more. As the river moves south, it widens significantly and picks up water from other parts of its watershed. During the summer, McCallum will fish both the narrow sections with his one-man boat and then the wider sections further down the watershed in Marion County.

“The fish are eating real well this time of year in the river. They are eating crawfish and small fish. They’re also eating a lot of frogs and even a few snakes. We have cleaned many fish with frogs in their belly,” he said.

Topwater lures are fun and effective

While these bass can be caught on a variety of lures, McCallum prefers to fish topwaters.

“I only bring three types of lures this time of year  —  a Whopper Plopper, a buzz bait, and a Zoom frog,” he said.

Fish in these river systems and adjoining swamps expect their food to be skimming across the surface. And topwater lures are ideal to drag a bass from under a submerged log or treetop, especially in the narrow sections.

On the other hand, guide Todd Vick of  Fishin’ Freshwater Charters in Socastee, S.C., prefers fishing the lower end of the Waccamaw River near Myrtle Beach.

“I know the river well from Conway to Georgetown. We catch a ton of fish this time of year, but starting early is the key to making the summertime work for you,” Vick said. “With it being so hot, you have to get there right when the sun begins to crack. Fish eat best early in the morning this time of year.”

A much wider and deeper channel in the lower part of the rivers gives fish a much larger field of play. But just like McCallum, Vick targets bass on topwater offerings near the bank.

“I really beat the bushes hard in the shallow water looking for big fish early in the morning,” Vick said. “I use a stick-propeller lure, a buzzbait or some type of topwater frog imitation. Fish are looking to eat early. And they usually want topwater.”

Concentrate on creek mouths

Vick targets shallow banks up and down the Waccamaw. He likes banks with a variety of habitat types. He enjoys throwing topwater lures around the mouth of a creek or old rice-field ditch lined with vegetation.

“When it gets hot, the fish will pull out of the small creeks and concentrate at the mouth or at the mouth of larger creeks along a current rip,” he said. “The food source comes out of the creeks, and fish aren’t going to waste energy in the heavy current. They will sit in the current eddy and ambush bait as it comes by.”

The Waccamaw is unlike many blackwater rivers. From the mouth near Georgetown all the way through Georgetown and Horry counties it is considered tidal all the way up above the US 501 bridge in Conway. Fishermen don’t have to deal with a typical 4-foot tide that saltwater anglers do. But a 1- to 3-foot move can make a major impact on his fishing day.

Falling tide is preferred, but rising tide can also be good

“One of the perfect conditions for me is to fish topwater lures at daylight at the mouth of a creek when the tide is falling. Vegetation grows on the left and right side. Fish will set up on that race trying to catch fish coming out of those creeks,” he said.

Bass are accustomed to water moving throughout the day. And while the falling tide is obviously preferred, bass still fall for the sweet action of topwater lures on rising tides. Basically, baitfish are moving to places away from the wrath of bigger creatures that want to convert them into a meal. When the tide is rising and forcing water back into the swamps or into one of the creek or ditches, they can also be good ambush spots for bass. For best results, moving water is key. And finding ambush spots sets the stage for a good topwater bite.

Water temperatures can reach their peaks from late July through early September. But it can be the best time of the year to bust a heavy stringer of bass on topwater lures in one of the gorgeous blackwater rivers.

DESTINATION INFORMATION

HOW TO GET THERE — The Waccamaw River is accessible between Conway and Georgetown, S.C., with nearly a dozen public landings along its length. The Little Pee Dee is served by several landings and road crossings from I-95 to the Horry County line near Nichols. See http://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/boatramp/boatrampsearch. Try the Waccamaw from Conway and Wacca Wache Marina in Murrells Inlet, and the Little Pee Dee from its confluence with the Pee Dee to the Georgetown County line.

WHEN TO GO — The summer topwater bite heats up in June and lasts until the water cools in the fall, with July, August and September being peak times.

BEST TECHNIQUES — Whopper Ploppers, buzzbaits, prop baits and surface frogs are the most-productive lures. Fish with a steady or stop-and-go retrieve. Best topwater action is early and late. When the sun gets up, throw topwaters into shady areas, then turn to large, soft-plastic baits. Fish 7 to 10 feet deep with dark-colored worms, fish Texas-rigged or on drop-shot rigs. Go with medium-heavy action baitcasting rods and reels spooled with 30- to 35-pound braid.

FISHING INFO/GUIDES — Todd Vick, Fishin’ Freshwater Charters, 843-333-8200. See also Guides & Charters in Classifieds.

ACCOMMODATIONS — Hampton Inn, Murrells Inlet, 843-651-6687; Best Western, Conway, 843-234-1678; Quality Inn, Dillon, 843-774-0222; Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, www.visitmyrtlebeach.com.

MAPS — DeLorme’s S.C. Atlas & Gazetteer, 207-846-7000, www.delorme.com; Atlantic Mapping, www.fishingGPSmaps.com.

About Jeff Burleson 1308 Articles
Jeff Burleson is a native of Lumberton, N.C., who lives in Myrtle Beach, S.C. He graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in fisheries and wildlife sciences and is a certified biologist and professional forester for Southern Palmetto Environmental Consulting.