Creek Chub or something else?

Nope - that's a Bluehead chub.  It has larger scales and a smaller, downturned mouth compared with a Creek chub.

I agree, even though I am not from there. It is certainly a Nocomis rather than Semotilus. However Nocomis are tough to ID unless you know what species is in that drainage. Spawning males are easier to ID. Gerald knows what is where, so that probably allowed him to rule out other Nocomis species. It is a tough game.

It is a Nocomis.

The only Nocomis in SC except for the very far NW corner of the state (where there is the potential for river via stream capture) is the bluehead.  They are extremely common in all streams in the piedmont and venture into the sandills as well.

I'm assuming this one is Nocomis as well?

You got it. You are able to recognize the characteristics that define the genus. The scale size alone is a dead giveaway when it comes to creek chubs VS. Nocomis.

Yep.  Wait to you get a nice tuberculate male in the spring.

Dustin, I grew up catching these guys. I used to call them horny fish as a kid. There are some beauties in Fourteen Mile Creek in Lexington.

Do you guys have stonerollers there? They get some pretty impressive tubercles as well.

Do you guys have stonerollers there? They get some pretty impressive tubercles as well.

We only have stonerollers up in the far NW corner of the state likely due to stream capture along with whitetails, warpaints, mirror, sculpin, etc.