Nicole Lackey caught a 4 1/2 pound largemouth bass while fishing at her grandparents’ farm pond near Granite Lake.
She is the daughter of Wade and Jennifer Lackey of Gold Hill, and the granddaughter of Annette and Barry McKinney.
Nicole, 5, caught the bass on her rod and her father helped her pull it in since the rod she was using was a children’s variety not meant for a such a whopper. They released the bass after snapping a few photos.
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South Carolina is planning an alligator hunting season this year, now that there are an estimated 100,000 gators lurking in the state’s waters.
The Department of Natural Resources plans to issue 1,000 permits for the season, which will run from Sept. 13 through Oct. 11.
Hunters will be allowed to kill only one alligator and it must be more than 4 feet in length.
Hunters will not be allowed to shoot gators until they have been tied up or brought alongside a boat or to land.
The state plans a random drawing for the permits, which cost $100. Applications are available online at www.dnr.sc.gov.