South Carolina....

[GANGGREEN]

I've already used the search function and have read all of the appropriate threads.  I tend to do this every year or three in my search for a seasonal retirement home in the mid-south.   We've looked at the Ozarks (I like it very well, my wife not as much), eastern TN, western NC (I like eastern TN, my wife is neutral about it and we haven't really found the exact area that we both like) and now I'm looking at northern/western SC.  I've done some searching for real estate near or on Lakes Jocassee, Keowee, Hartwell and Greenwood and property values and property tax seem reasonable (although I understand that non-resident homeowners pay a higher property tax rate than residents, which doesn't really make sense to me).  

 

Obviously I'm looking for great fishing.  I love multi-species fishing and would have to say that smallmouth, yellow perch and walleye are probably my favorites species to pursue, but I like largemouth, crappie and white bass and presume that I'd really love fishing for spots and stripers (I've caught both, but never in large numbers).   I have an 18 foot multi-species rig with a 115 Yamaha, but wouldn't rule out swapping that out, so I'd be good to go on almost any lake.   I also enjoy trout fishing, especially on the better tailwater stretches.  

 

Almost as important as the fishing is the quality and standard of life though.  I'm retired at age 55 (just retired in September and I'm loving life), my wife hopes to retire within the next several years.   We like privacy and a mostly rural atmosphere and presently live basically in the woods on 100+ acres, but as we get older, the idea of good shopping, good restaurants, some culture and possibly continuing education at a university and health care become more and more important to us.   I don't need or want to live IN town, but I think I'd prefer to be within 20 minutes of so of a town that provides all of what we'd like to have.   I'm thinking Clemson would be a nice town and about the right size, but I simply don't know the area.

 

I also love to hunt (or at least I used to) and have English setters, but hunting is less important to me as I get older.   Being within a couple of hours of a public spot to pursue wild quail would be awesome and I'm not sure you can do that anymore.   If I'd chase anything else, it would probably be spring gobbler.  I don't care about deer much anymore and have plenty on my northern property anyway.   Ideally, I'd also like to be in the foothills or at least within striking distance to the mountains and some nicer areas to camp, hike, trout fish, etc..

 

There's a similar thread from several years ago, but I didn't want to post there and thought I'd ask for anyone's thoughts again, just in the event that things are changing with the area or the fisheries.  Responses and advice are greatly appreciated, so thanks in advance.

 

[TnRiver46]

@Koz says upstate is lousy fishing, head for the low country! Haha. I’ve seen pics of big largemouth And really big brown trout from jocasee. Other than that I know nothing 

[Koz]

6 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

@Koz says upstate is lousy fishing, head for the low country! Haha. I’ve seen pics of big largemouth And really big brown trout from jocasee. Other than that I know nothing 

Those are all Photoshopped ?

[Koz]

If you have a boat then places like Hartwell, Jocasee, etc can produce good fishing but you also have to deal with lots of traffic on the water and pressured fishing.

 

Personally, I like bank fishing because  it helps me get a ton of exercise. I bank fish like a boater. But my trolling motor is my legs and feet and I cover miles walking the banks of lagoons. There are usually 3-5 lagoons in each area I fish. For me pulling up anchor is getting in my car and driving for 5 minutes to another cluster of lagoons.

 

If you like boating then the S.C. Upstate is the place to be. If you like lots of trophy largemouth bass and walking the banks to fish from your choice of thousands of lagoons then the Lowcountry is the place to be.

 

The Upstate does have one other advantage- no alligators! And right now it’s gator mating season and the bulls are aggressive. I had one come out of the water and chase me off the bank today.

[GANGGREEN]

I have a nice 18 foot multi-species rig that would be fine for bass, striper, trout or anything else in those lakes.   My intention is also to be there primarily during the winter months, so I'd presume that I'll miss at least some of the high pressure you see on the lakes during spring, summer and fall.

 

I appreciate everyone's input.  As for the lowcountry, it's just not my cup of tea.   Like I mentioned, I'm interested in a seasonal retirement home and I simply have to be in a rural area, near the lakes and mountains.  I've been in the Highlands area of North Carolina, which isn't very far away and it's just beautiful.   My wife and I spent some time in Charleston this year for the SEWE festival and had a great time and really liked the area.  I'll do it again, but for a short vacation, not for a permanent residence.  Might be perfect for some folks, but like I said before, I need to be at least within striking distance of the mountains.

[Koz]

I like to visit Charleston but have never really fished there. My son had a few baseball tournaments just north of Charleston and one time we stopped and fished a big lagoon along the way and landed a bunch of 2 - 4 pounders.

 

I fish further south in the Hilton Head area where we have thousands of lagoons to choose from.