Smith Pond Fishing near Westminster, South Carolina

• Overview

  Smith Pond belongs to Oconee County, South Carolina. What surrounds it is oak and grass. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. It is a small entry by Oconee County standards. Supplies mean a trip to Westminster, 5.5 miles off. The big place round here is Athens, 52 miles distant. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Smith Pond

  Depth figures are not published for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Across Oconee County, recorded fish include bluegill, redbreast sunfish, largemouth bass, turquoise darter and rainbow trout. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. The near bank of Smith Pond is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 40°F and July at about 77°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The hard part of the year is the heat, not the cold. October and November give a second good stretch as it cools. March through May is the strongest run, with October and November a second stretch. Plan around that when you fish Smith Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. For a change of water, Miller Pond is 1.8 miles distant. Rules at Smith Pond are worth checking on the day.