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Striped Bass

Striped Bass

Striped Bass in South Carolina are native to the state's coastal rivers and have been successfully established in major reservoirs through stocking programs.

Scientific Name: Morone saxatilis

Physical Characteristics:
  • These silver-bodied fish display 7-8 distinctive dark horizontal stripes and commonly reach 20-36 inches with weights of 3-10 pounds, though specimens can exceed 60 pounds in freshwater or 120 pounds in saltwater.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to the state's coastal rivers and established in major reservoirs through stocking programs.
  • Only the Santee-Cooper reservoirs and unimpounded coastal rivers provide adequate spawning conditions.

Key Locations

  • The largest populations occur in the Savannah, Cooper, and Santee rivers, with excellent reservoir fisheries in Lakes Marion, Moultrie, Murray, and Wateree, plus smaller populations in Lakes Hartwell, Thurmond, Secession, and Greenwood.
  • Lake Hartwell and Thurmond are known for big fish potential, with Hartwell producing the previous state record.
  • Tailwaters below Buzzards Roost Dam.
  • Small populations exist in coastal rivers including the Combahee, Ashepoo, Edisto, Black, Lynches, Pee Dee, Little Pee Dee, and Waccamaw rivers.

Specific Spots

  • Target main river channels, points extending to deep water, submerged humps, drop-offs, and areas around the thermocline during summer.
  • Points near main channels for night fishing.
  • Main lake points and creek channels for trolling.
  • Riprap banks near dams in tailwaters.

Striped Bass FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Striped Bass in South Carolina?

Live bait: threadfin shad, blueback herring, or live eels. Artificial lures: topwater plugs work well during low-light periods, bucktails, grubs, spoons, and minnow-imitating lures are effective in tailwaters.

What flies work for Striped Bass in South Carolina?

Clouser Minnows in chartreuse/white or olive patterns, Deceivers, bunker patterns, and small baitfish imitations. Squid patterns like Red Can Squids or EP Flex Calamari during squid runs.

When is the best time to fish for Striped Bass in South Carolina?

Spring and fall offer peak striped bass fishing in South Carolina, with April, May, September, and October being prime months. Winter fishing (December-March) can be productive but fish are less active, while summer fishing requires targeting deeper, cooler waters during early morning or late evening.

How do you catch Striped Bass in South Carolina?

Live bait fishing is highly effective, particularly for night fishing. Night fishing involves anchoring over points near main channels and using multiple live herring either on the bottom or suspended. Trolling is effective around main lake points and creek channels using downriggers.

What do Striped Bass eat?

These fish are primarily piscivorous, feeding on threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and blueback herring in freshwater.

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