Local Bass Fishing Update

See & Do

Travelers Rest is blessed to have a plethora of different freshwater species nearby.

Here are our local species of Black Bass and the times of year we chase them.

Largemouth Bass: America’s favorite fish, the largemouth bass, is in just about every puddle or river in the Greenville area. We catch Largemouth Bass with regularity year-round, but they shine in the Spring from March through May. They come up to the shallows to spawn, guard their fry, and then feed on bluegill and other sunfish beginning their spawn. Once Largemouth transition to shallow water, we can target bass from the shore with fly and spinning tackle and hunt for our biggest bass of the year.

Bartram’s (Redeye) Bass: The most exciting time to chase redeye bass is during the warmer months of April to October. Although we catch them in certain areas throughout the Winter, fooling a feisty Bartram’s Bass on a popper fly is an unbeatable experience. Anglers can best target Bartram’s Bass on poppers and other topwater flies and lures during the late spring and summer months. Unfortunately, Alabama Spotted Bass have hybridized the populations of the Bartram’s Bass in many of our favorite streams due to illegal stocking of Alabama Spotted Bass.

Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth bass are unrivaled in their ferocity and excitement when striking lures and flies. There are several lesser-known fisheries in Upstate South Carolina that we won’t disclose, but the primary locations for catching Smallmouth bass are Lake Jocassee and the rivers and streams of Western North Carolina, including the French Broad River. The Broad and Congaree Rivers in Columbia, SC, also have incredible Smallmouth fishing. Smallmouth Bass are native to waterbodies that flow into the Tennessee River, on the opposite side of the Eastern Continental divide from us, which lies just over the border of North Carolina. They generally run smaller than Largemouth Bass, but don’t let that fool you; they will fight the angler with as much exuberance when they realize they have been hooked. Each season can be great for Smallmouth Bass fishing, but they shine during the warmer months when they can be frequently fooled on popper flies and topwater lures.

Alabama (Spotted) Bass: Unfortunately, Alabama Spotted Bass have become somewhat of an environmental wrecking ball for native Black Bass in our area. Believed to be transported by
tournament bass anglers looking to expand recreational fishing around the country, they have taken hold in our area and driven Bartram’s Bass out of many of our streams. Besides the unfortunate results of the spread of Alabama Spotted Bass, they have become another bass fishing option for our area. Alabama Bass are highly aggressive and schooled in tight schools in the Wintertime, nomadically chasing baitfish in our lakes and rivers. This schooling behavior provides a reliable fishery when other Black Bass’ metabolism drops during the Winter.

Although we chase all Black Bass species throughout the year, we love these specific seasons for each species. Be sure to reach out if you would like to book a trip to target any of these species!