White Bass
White Bass are not native to South Carolina but were successfully introduced in 1954 when adult fish were moved from Tennessee to Lake Wylie by the South Carolina Game and Fish Commission.
From these initial stocks, introductions were made into other rivers and impoundments throughout the state. These temperate bass are aggressive predators that travel in large schools and can often be seen at the surface of reservoirs pursuing baitfish.
Scientific Name: Morone chrysops
- Wide-bodied fish with dark bluish-green to gray coloration, yellow eyes, and distinctive lateral stripes that may be broken.
- They have two completely separated dorsal fins and a protruding lower jaw with a single tooth patch on the tongue.
- White Bass average 10 inches in length and 1 pound, with a life expectancy of approximately 6 years.
Fishing in South Carolina
Lake Marion
Wateree River
Broad River
Saluda River
Lake Murray
Black River
Catawba River
Lynches River
Lake Moultrie
Santee River
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Scattered throughout South Carolina in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain regions, specifically in the Pee Dee, Santee, and Savannah river drainages.
Key Locations
- Lake Wylie, Pee Dee river systems, Santee river systems, Savannah river systems, South Carolina's major impoundments.
Specific Spots
- Target the deeper pools of large reservoirs and rivers.
- Focus on areas where baitfish concentrate around structures like bridge pilings, riprap, and submerged trees.
- During summer, focus on deepwater flats and ledges.
White Bass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Bass in South Carolina?
White or silver patterns in clear water, and red or chartreuse in murky conditions. Lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, swimbaits, spoons, slabs, inline spinners, curly tail grubs, jigs, and topwater lures. White marabou hair jigs in white, yellow, or chartreuse are particularly effective when jigging.
What flies work for White Bass in South Carolina?
White marabou clousers (1.5 inches long with small dumbbell eyes), chartreuse patterns for deeper or dingy water, finesse changers, clouser minnows, and woolly buggers in white, chartreuse, and shad patterns.
When is the best time to fish for White Bass in South Carolina?
Most productive during spring spawning migrations in March and April, and during summer and fall when schools actively pursue shad at the surface.
How do you catch White Bass in South Carolina?
Jump fishing for surface feeding schools, trolling between 10-20 feet deep, vertical jigging over deepwater flats and ledges, jigging with marabou hair jigs.
What do White Bass eat?
Feeding primarily on aquatic insects, threadfin shad, young gizzard shad, and blueback herring.
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