The river is productive all the way from the Wilson Dam to the salt water. Some fishermen will focus their efforts on the stretch from Highway 52 up toward the Wilson Dam. Others will fish the stretch of water from the Highway 52 bridge just south of Greeleyville, down to Highway 41, just north of Jamestown. There are launching areas located at each of these bridges.

The Lynches River is another excellent bream fishery and one that can be enjoyed by fishing along the bank near bridge crossings. It's most effectively fished by working the river in a small boat. There are numerous bridge crossings where you can put in or take out a small boat and you can make a half-day or an all-day trip down this scenic and very productive river. The long, winding river flows through a large expanse of territory and winds up flowing into the Pee Dee River, another place that's known for good bream fishing.

A productive but basic method to fish this river is to drift along with the current, using the electric motor to keep the boat in position. Most local anglers employ long, lightweight fiberglass poles and swing either the live bait alongside the treetops and other woody debris along the rivers edge. When you find a hotspot, use the motor to hold the boat in position or tie the boat to an overhanging limb or adjacent log. Then you can likely catch several fish from a specific spot.

There's exceptionally good bream fishing throughout the state, so the key is to single out the best places close to you. Moreover, you can find this excellent bream fishing in about every shape and size of water, including big lakes, small lakes, rivers and ponds.

In fact, among my favorite places for bream fishing are the small privately owned ponds located throughout the state. Most fishermen know someone with a farm pond. Often all you need do is seek permission to fish and it will be given. These small-water honeyholes can produce some of the biggest bream caught in the state. Some of these ponds may only comprise a couple of acres, while others may be 10 to 20 acres in size. But the fact is many hold huge populations of platter-sized bream. Don't overlook the pond bream fishing.

Regardless of where you choose to fish, the key to success in bream fishing in South Carolina is to get out on one of these places and go fishing. The bream are ready and willing. If they're not bedding, they'll be scattered around the shallows in the coves and pockets throughout May.

Right now is the prime time of the entire year for everyone in the boat to catch limits of these spirited and tasty fish. The tackle and techniques are simple but numerous, so something will appeal to almost everyone. And now you know where to go and what you need to be successful. But you'd better hurry, because