How to Fish Lake Waccamaw: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Lake Waccamaw

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Apr 30, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Lake Waccamaw

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	55-65	Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water warms Fish are moving from deeper winter holding areas to shallower staging points near spawning flats Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with aggressive responses to prey	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats Deeper dock edges near shallow spawning areas Grass humps and vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range	Lipless Crankbaits around emerging grass Bladed Jigs worked through vegetation edges Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas	Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas Bluegill beginning to become more active in warmer periods	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	58-68	Pre-spawn bluegills are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallower spawning locations, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving into 2-6 foot depths, particularly around emerging vegetation and structure	Grass humps and emerging vegetation in 2-6 foot depths Docks and brush piles adjacent to potential spawning flats Protected shoreline areas with stable temperatures	Bobbers with light wire hooks suspended at 2-4 feet Inline Spinners worked slowly near vegetation Micro Crankbaits retrieved steadily along structure edges	Small insects and larvae emerging with warming waters Young-of-year shad and small baitfish Small crustaceans around vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	58-68	Catfish are beginning to move from deeper winter haunts to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming water Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish showing preference for areas with current and structure	River section with moving water and structure, particularly near deeper holes Submerged brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot transitions Stump fields adjacent to slightly deeper water	Live Bait Rigs with bottom-bouncing presentation Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure Carolina Rigs worked slowly through transition areas	Bluegill concentrating in brush and stumps Shad moving into shallower flats Small perch in transition areas	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are transitioning into spawning mode, seeking protected shallow areas with solid bottoms for nesting. Fish are actively patrolling and defending territory in spawning areas. Pre-spawn and spawning bass are highly territorial and aggressive, particularly around shallow cover like vegetation and docks. Males prepare and guard nests while females stage nearby.	Shallow vegetation areas with adjacent shade pockets, particularly where fanned out areas (spawning beds) are visible Protected dock areas, especially those near spawning flats Shallow flats with mixed vegetation and hard bottom composition	Wacky Rigs worked slowly around vegetation and visible beds Texas Rigs (Worming) pitched around docks and vegetation edges Soft Jerkbaits worked in open pockets between cover	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Bluegills actively moving into shallow spawning areas (2-4 feet) and establishing nesting colonies on firm bottom areas near vegetation and structure Males becoming increasingly territorial and aggressive while guarding nests, making them more likely to strike at small intruders	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse to moderate vegetation Areas adjacent to docks and flooded brush in 2-4 foot depths Grass humps and vegetation edges in spawning depth zones	Bobbers with small jigs or live bait suspended just above bottom Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through spawning areas Ice Fishing Jigs (small profile) sight-fished for bedding fish	Small insects and larvae near spawning areas Small perch and shad fry	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	65-75	Moving into shallow, warmer areas (2-6 feet) to prepare for spawning, particularly around structure like stumps and brush Males begin creating nesting sites in protected areas, while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas Increased daytime activity as water warms, with peak feeding during dawn and dusk periods	Protected shallow bays with stumps and flooded brush River section areas with moderate current and structure Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water	Live Bait Rigs with bottom bouncing presentation Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') Bobbers with suspended live bait	Bluegill Shad Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	68-78	Bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy Fish moving between shallow and intermediate depths, often relating to first break lines near spawning areas	Secondary points with vegetation near spawning flats Docks with deep water access close to spawning areas Grass humps in 5-10 foot depth range	Shakey Heads worked slowly along break lines Texas Rigs (Worming) through vegetation Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along dock lines	Shad schools moving to post-spawn locations Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	65-75	Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to shallow vegetation and structure in 2-6 feet of water Fish are establishing summer patterns, becoming more aggressive and territorial around prime feeding areas near grass humps and dock structures	Grass humps in 2-6 feet of water adjacent to slightly deeper water Dock structures with nearby vegetation Submerged vegetation edges near flooded brush and stumps	Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near vegetation edges Micro Crankbaits worked slowly along grass edges Inline Spinners retrieved steadily through productive areas	Small insects and larvae around vegetation Young-of-year shad Small perch fry	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Warm Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	65-75	Post-spawn catfish are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily during dawn and dusk periods Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper feeding zones, especially around structure Increased daytime activity compared to summer, taking advantage of moderate spring temperatures	River section areas with moving water, particularly near structure Submerged brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot depths Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper feeding zones	Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or live bluegill Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure Bobbers during prime feeding periods	Bluegill Shad Perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	82-88	Bass seeking shade and cooler water in flooded brush during hot summer period, primarily feeding during early morning and late evening Suspending near shaded cover during midday heat, opportunistically feeding on passing shad	Flooded brush in 5-10 foot depth range offering shade Deep vegetation edges adjacent to brush Shaded dock areas with nearby brush piles	Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through brush Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) into thick cover Swim Jigs around brush edges	Shad concentrated around brush and vegetation Bluegill holding in vegetation near brush	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	75-85	Bluegill actively feeding in and around vegetation edges and grass humps during early morning and evening hours During midday heat, fish moving slightly deeper but staying near cover, particularly around docks and submerged brush	Grass humps and weed edges in 2-8 foot depth range Shaded areas under docks with nearby vegetation Submerged brush and stumps adjacent to deeper water	Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly around vegetation Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding under docks Live Bait Rigs near grass edges and structure	Small insects and larvae in vegetation Young-of-year shad Small perch	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Warm Colors
Summer	Catfish	82-89	Catfish are highly active in warm summer waters, with peak feeding occurring during night hours and early morning due to water temperatures in the upper 80s Fish are relating strongly to structure, particularly stumps and river sections with moving water, using these areas as ambush points for feeding on bluegill and other forage	Stumps and laydowns in 5-10 foot depth range, especially in river sections with current Submerged brush piles and vegetation edges where forage fish concentrate Channel edges and deeper holes near shallow feeding flats	Live Bait Rigs with heavy line (30lb braid recommended) near structure Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with cut bait or live bluegill in deeper holes Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with large soft plastics around stumps and laydowns	Bluegill (confirmed primary forage from recent catches) Shad (present in system according to lake profile) Perch (noted in forage base from lake profile)	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Lake Waccamaw

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	62-75	Bass actively chasing shad schools in shallow to mid-depth areas, especially during morning and evening hours Moving between deep brush and shallow feeding zones as water temperatures fluctuate throughout the day	Main lake points with nearby grass humps Shallow brush and woody cover adjacent to deeper water Vegetation edges where shad schools are present	Lipless Crankbaits worked through grass edges and over humps Spinnerbaits parallel to vegetation lines and brush Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for matching shad schools	Shad schools migrating to backs of pockets Remaining summer baitfish in vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	58-72	Actively feeding on perch around grass humps, responding aggressively to stop-and-go presentations Congregating near vegetation edges in moderate depth zones due to cooling water temperatures	Grass humps and weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range Protected areas with submerged vegetation Flooded brush and stump fields near vegetation	Hard Jerkbaits with pause-and-go retrieve Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along weed edges Finesse Hair Jigs worked vertically through vegetation gaps	Perch Small baitfish around vegetation	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Fall	Catfish	65-78	Catfish are beginning to move to deeper, more stable water areas as temperatures cool, but still actively feeding to build reserves for winter Feeding patterns become more concentrated during daylight hours compared to summer, with peak activity during afternoon when water temperatures are highest	River section channels and deeper holes where current concentrates forage Submerged brush piles and laydowns in 8-12 foot depth ranges Deep water adjacent to shallow flats where bluegill and shad congregate	Live Bait Rigs with larger offerings like whole bluegill or shad Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure with cut bait Trolling Shallow (0-9') along channel edges with bottom bouncing rigs	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation Shad schools moving into creek arms Stressed or dying baitfish becoming easy prey	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	51-57	Bass are actively feeding on shad around structure, with a chop-and-pause retrieve pattern indicating reaction strikes Fish are suspending near vertical structure and utilizing shallow to mid-depth areas, staying relatively active despite winter conditions	Humps with grass or other vegetation, especially those adjacent to deeper water Laydowns and woody cover in shallow to mid-depth zones Main lake points with access to both shallow and deeper water	Hard Jerkbaits with a distinct chop-chop-pause cadence Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked with varying retrieve speeds Blade Baits for vertical presentations around humps	Shad schools suspending near structure Small baitfish relating to grass edges	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	45-55	Bluegill are schooling in deeper, more stable water zones, typically suspending near remaining vegetation edges and structure Feeding activity is reduced but remains consistent, with fish targeting smaller prey items during warmer parts of the day	Deep edges of grass humps in 8-12 feet of water Deeper brush piles and stumps near creek channels Deeper dock areas with vertical posts providing structure	Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with small ice jigs worked slowly Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or waxworms Hover/Mid-Strolling with micro presentations	Small invertebrates and insect larvae Juvenile shad in deeper water Small perch fry	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Catfish	45-55	Catfish become more lethargic and concentrate in deeper, more stable areas of the lake during winter Feeding windows are shorter and typically occur during the warmest parts of the day Fish tend to school more tightly in winter, often gathering in large groups near structure	River section areas with slower current and deeper holes Deeper areas near submerged brush and laydowns Channel edges adjacent to shallow flats	Live Bait Rigs with smaller offerings presented slowly Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near structure Hover/Mid-Strolling with cut bait	Winter-stressed or dying shad Concentrated schools of bluegill Small bottom-dwelling fish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Lake Waccamaw

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats	Deeper dock edges near shallow spawning areas
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Grass humps and emerging vegetation in 2-6 foot depths	Docks and brush piles adjacent to potential spawning flats
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	River section with moving water and structure, particularly near deeper holes	Submerged brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot transitions
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shallow vegetation areas with adjacent shade pockets, particularly where fanned out areas (spawning beds) are visible	Protected dock areas, especially those near spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse to moderate vegetation	Areas adjacent to docks and flooded brush in 2-4 foot depths
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Protected shallow bays with stumps and flooded brush	River section areas with moderate current and structure
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Secondary points with vegetation near spawning flats	Docks with deep water access close to spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Grass humps in 2-6 feet of water adjacent to slightly deeper water	Dock structures with nearby vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	River section areas with moving water, particularly near structure	Submerged brush and laydowns in 5-10 foot depths
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Flooded brush in 5-10 foot depth range offering shade	Deep vegetation edges adjacent to brush
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Grass humps and weed edges in 2-8 foot depth range	Shaded areas under docks with nearby vegetation
Summer	Catfish	Stumps and laydowns in 5-10 foot depth range, especially in river sections with current	Submerged brush piles and vegetation edges where forage fish concentrate
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Main lake points with nearby grass humps	Shallow brush and woody cover adjacent to deeper water
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Grass humps and weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range	Protected areas with submerged vegetation
Fall	Catfish	River section channels and deeper holes where current concentrates forage	Submerged brush piles and laydowns in 8-12 foot depth ranges
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Humps with grass or other vegetation, especially those adjacent to deeper water	Laydowns and woody cover in shallow to mid-depth zones
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Deep edges of grass humps in 8-12 feet of water	Deeper brush piles and stumps near creek channels
Winter	Catfish	River section areas with slower current and deeper holes	Deeper areas near submerged brush and laydowns

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas	Bluegill beginning to become more active in warmer periods
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae emerging with warming waters	Young-of-year shad and small baitfish
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Bluegill concentrating in brush and stumps	Shad moving into shallower flats
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas	Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae near spawning areas	Small perch and shad fry
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Bluegill	Shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools moving to post-spawn locations	Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae around vegetation	Young-of-year shad
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Bluegill	Shad
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad concentrated around brush and vegetation	Bluegill holding in vegetation near brush
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Small insects and larvae in vegetation	Young-of-year shad
Summer	Catfish	Bluegill (confirmed primary forage from recent catches)	Shad (present in system according to lake profile)
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools migrating to backs of pockets	Remaining summer baitfish in vegetation
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Perch	Small baitfish around vegetation
Fall	Catfish	Bluegill concentrating in remaining vegetation	Shad schools moving into creek arms
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools suspending near structure	Small baitfish relating to grass edges
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Small invertebrates and insect larvae	Juvenile shad in deeper water
Winter	Catfish	Winter-stressed or dying shad	Concentrated schools of bluegill

Bait Colors by Season for Lake Waccamaw

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Craw Colors Metallic Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Craw Colors Light Neutral Colors Green Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Green Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Warm Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Warm Colors
Summer	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Metallic Colors
Fall	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Green Colors
Fall	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Purple Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Metallic Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Panfish / Bluegill	Natural Baitfish Colors Light Neutral Colors Purple Colors
Winter	Catfish	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Light Neutral Colors

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