June 26
Lake Hartwell water levels are well down to 658.66 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity is very high. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s most places.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is still very good, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that fish have moved into the main river channels in 45-80 feet of water. Most of the time they are catching them suspended 35-40 feet down, and they are holding over bends, deep rocky points, and ledges. Most of the fish are coming on down-rods, but still a fair number will come up to eat free-lines.
There are still a few fish left in the coves but they are almost all smaller.
Already some fish are grouping up at the dam which relieves the pressure in the rivers, and by mid- to late July more will be headed that way. However, the water hasn’t gotten hot enough for the bait to leave the rivers yet and so there are still plenty of fish up there. 
It continues to be a reliable crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that 20 feet of water is still the magic depth. The brush he is fishing comes up to about 10 feet below the surface, and he is catching them over the top of it about 8 feet down. The best bite is still in the main lake and he is catching fish in coves and ditches in the main rivers – mostly the Tugaloo arm. However, the pattern holds all over the main lake.
Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors and minnows are both working well.
The bass have transitioned even further into summer patterns, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that between the heat and dropping water levels it has not been good for the shallow bite. By now the vast majority of the fish are offshore, and there is some isolated schooling activity. At other times you can call fish throwing topwater baits over points and humps. You can also catch fish with drop shot rigs or swimbaits around the same points and humps, which pretty much all have brush on them.
The channel catfish and shellcracker have moved deeper with the heat, but Captain Bill Plumley reports that in 18-20 feet of water he is finding a good bite for both species. He is targeting sandy areas and catching both species on worms and channels on dip baits.
June 12
Lake Hartwell water levels are finally below full at 659.76 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity is very high. Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is wide open, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that it’s now common to limit out by 10:00 or even 8:00! Fish are still in the same general areas mid-way down both of the river arms and in feeder creeks and coves off them, but now they are feeding much more consistently.
There is still some short-lived schooling activity early, and for a little while first thing they will take free-lines. But the down-rod bite is what has really come on, and very quickly fish are stacking up in 35-40 feet at the mouths of coves. There are also some fish in about 50 feet on ridges. The bait is there and they are gorging on herring, and so it’s as simple as putting a live one in front of them.
It continues to be a reliable crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that 20 feet of water is still the magic depth. The brush he is fishing comes up to about 10 feet below the surface, and he is catching them over the top of it about 8 feet down. The best bite is still in the main lake and he is catching fish in coves and ditches in the main rivers – mostly the Tugaloo arm. However, the pattern holds all over the main lake.
Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors are still producing the best.
The bass have largely transitioned into summer patterns, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that while there are some fish that will stay shallow feeding on bream all summer, the
the bulk of the fish are offshore. Throwing topwater baits over points and humps is one way to catch them. You can also catch fish with drop shot rigs or swimbaits around the same points and humps, which pretty much all have brush on them.
The channel catfish bite is still pretty outstanding, but perhaps because of the spawn the shellcracker are tricky to catch. However, in 10-18 feet it’s hard to miss for channels with dip baits.
May 29
Lake Hartwell water levels are still very high at 660.32 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are around 77-79 degrees.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell is finally turning a corner, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that we are no longer in the period where he knows that the daylight bite is likely to make up most of what they catch that day. On their last morning trip Chip had 8 fish at daylight but finished with 36.
Before and after sunrise they are still catching fish pitching free-lines into 15-18 feet of water on points and shoals, but later in the morning fish are starting to settle into adjacent coves and set up on the bottom in 35-40 feet. While they will still take free-lines about as well as down-rods, they are at least eating herring on down-rods now.
For right now the best action is still about mid-way down both of the river arms and in feeder creeks and coves off them, while the fish in the Savannah River are highly unpredictable. You can also catch fish in many of the larger creeks, including by the dam. When it gets really hot most of the fish will move further down the rivers towards the Savannah.
It continues to be a reliable crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that 20 feet of water is still the magic depth. The brush he is fishing comes up to about 10 feet below the surface, and he is catching them over the top of it about 8 feet down. The best bite has also moved to the main lake and he is catching fish in coves and ditches in the main rivers – mostly the Tugaloo arm. However, the pattern holds all over the main lake.
Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors are producing the best.
The bass are transitioning to summer patterns, but Guide Brad Fowler reports that there are still a decent number of fish up shallow. The bass and herring spawns are almost totally done, but there are a decent number of fry guarders up shallow around docks or other cover. There are also a fair number of fish cruising, particularly around bream beds. The frog bite is pretty good now.
However, the bulk of the fish are mostly offshore and throwing topwater baits over points and humps is one way to catch them. You can also catch fish with drop shot rigs or swimbaits around the same points and humps, which pretty much all have brush on them.
By now the big blue catfish are mostly post-spawn and seem to have returned out to the deep timber, and flatheads are spawning and pretty tricky to catch. But the channel catfish bite is still pretty outstanding in 14-18 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor or beach his boat there. Dip bait is very hard to beat for channels, but for a mixed bag of shellcracker and catfish worms will work. However – right now the shellcracker seem to be mostly a little shallower than the cats.
May 23
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 660.52 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are around 74-76 degrees.
The hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell still haven’t settled into summer patterns, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that regardless they are having some really good days. They are still catching the majority of their fish pitching out herring on free-lines or Carolina rigs off points and shoals in 10-15 of water first thing. The fish are mid-way back in the creeks and rivers, and they are also catching lots of spotted bassmixed in.
After the sun gets up they are moving out to the coves, and while they are marking more fish in 25-35 feet on the bottom for the time being they just won’t hit a down-rod. Instead, they are catching all of the cove fish on pitched free-lines after they sink about 8-10 feet below the surface.
It continues to be a reliable crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that 20 feet of water is still the magic depth. The brush he is fishing comes up to about 10 feet below the surface, and he is catching them over the top of it about 8 feet down. The best bite has also moved to the main lake and he is catching fish in coves and ditches in the main rivers – mostly the Tugaloo arm. However, the pattern holds all over the main lake.
Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors are producing the best.
The bass are transitioning to summer patterns, but Guide Brad Fowler reports that there are still a decent number of fish up shallow. The bass and herring spawns are almost totally done, but there are a decent number of fry guarders up shallow around docks or other cover. There are also a fair number of fish cruising, particularly around bream beds. The frog bite is pretty good now.
However, the bulk of the fish are mostly offshore and throwing topwater baits over points and humps is one way to catch them. You can also catch fish with drop shot rigs or swimbaits around the same points and humps, which pretty much all have brush on them.
The big blue catfish are really hard to catch with the spawn going on, but the action for channel cats and shellcracker is still very good in 12-14 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor or beach his boat there. Worms are hard to beat for both species, but as temperatures rise the dip bait bite for channels is getting very strong.
May 15
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 660.35 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity was normal before last night’s rain. Morning surface water temperatures are around 75 degrees.
It continues to be a reliable crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that fish have left the shallower brush and 20 feet of water is now the magic depth. The brush he is fishing comes up to about 10 feet below the surface, and he is catching them over the top of it about 8 feet down. The best bite has also moved to the main lake, and he is catching fish in coves and ditches on the main rivers – mostly the Tugaloo arm. However, the pattern holds all over the main lake.
Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors are producing the best.
The bass are transitioning to summer patterns, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that now both the bass and herring spawns are winding down. You can still find some fry guarders up shallow, and there is also another group of fish that will stay shallow all summer and feed on bream. Especially in areas with beds.
However, the bulk of the fish are probably moving offshore and throwing topwater baits over points and humps is one way to catch them. You can also catch fish with drop shot rigs or swimbaits around the same points and humps, which pretty much all have brush on them.
The hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell seem to finally be starting to get into a more normal pattern, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that they are now starting to find more fish in about 25 feet of water in the coves. They still are not stacked up like they will be but it’s getting better each day.
Still the best early pattern is pitching out Carolina rigs off points and shoals in about 15 feet, before then moving deeper off the points and then into the coves.
The big blue catfish are still slow, perhaps because of the spawn, but the action for channel cats and shellcracker is not going away any time soon and the fish remain in 12-14 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there. Worms are hard to beat.
May 9
Lake Hartwell water levels have jumped to 660.73 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity was normal before last night’s rain. Morning surface water temperatures are around 75 degrees.
Even though the lake is running behind in some ways, fresh off a high finish with partner Brock Taylor in the Skeeter Trail this weekend Guide Brad Fowler reports that from what he can see the herring spawn is basically done and the only bass hanging around the herring points are small. It’s hard to explain why it’s wrapping up so early, even while other lakes further south are still in the midst of the herring spawn, and why the order of the bass spawn and herring spawn was odd this year. It seems a lot of the herring bite was for pre-spawn fish this year.
Overall, catching fish over about three pounds is difficult. Mostly they targeted bass just up shallow, including fry guarders and some fish still on the bed – even though the bigger fish have finished spawning. Other anglers found a good bite with a buzzbait around bream beds, and some people were fishing offshore brush.
Another top finisher was tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria with his father Steve, and for Andy it was Junk Fishing 101. He concurs that the herring bite is mostly done, and they found a few fish in marinas, a few suspended over shoals in 20 feet, a few fry guarders, an few fish around docks that would take a Senko. Their biggest fish, a 4-pound spotted bass, came suspended over brush on a fluke.
The hybrid and striped bass on Lake Hartwell are not doing what they are supposed to be either, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that actually they are running a couple of weeks behind. It’s hard to explain why they aren’t finding a good bite in about 25 feet of water in coves like they usually do by now.
Basically the best pattern is unchanged, except that instead of starting out in just a few feet of water pitching out Carolina rigs off points and shoals they are now starting out in about 15 feet with the same approach. But fish are scattered and moving a lot, and you have to fish a bunch of different areas to catch numbers. They should be grouped up by now.
While it’s not great for guide parties, the most excitement this week has come with striper and hybrids schooling all over the lake. They found acres of fish schooling at the dam one day and then similar action mid-lake, but again fish are moving fast and so you have to work to catch them. Bass boats are better set up to chase them than striper guides.
Soon the fish should group up more but it hasn’t happened yet.
The crappie are in similar areas on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that they have gotten a lot more aggressive. Some of the fish are about 4 feet down on brush in 10 feet of water, while others are more like 8-10 feet down in 20 feet. Both creek and main lake brush is producing. The bite is so good that there is no need to use minnows as Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors are producing.
Rodney also has friends who are having success shooting docks in 5-30 feet of water with jigs.
The big blue catfish are shallow on Lake Hartwell, but the bite seems to have slowed as the spawn approaches. The best depth to look for fish is about 15-20 feet of water.
At the same time the action for channel cats and shellcracker is not going away any time soon, and the fish remain in 12-14 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there. Worms are hard to beat.
May 1
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 660.18 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are around 71 degrees.
Very briefly the cool front slowed the hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that quickly the fishing rebounded and it’s every bit as good as it was last week. First thing they are very shallow in 4-5 feet of water around points, shoals, and old road beds where herring are spawning, and at that time they are targeting them with herring on Carolina rigs. After that they pull out to about 10-15 feet in the same areas and pitching free-lines is working the best. That early bite can last longer on cloudy days, but on sunny days by mid-morning fish are starting to move into coves in the same general areas where they can be caught on down-rods fished about 25 feet deep on the bottom. The cove bite is not very good yet, however, as fish are still staying shallow for much of the day.
Unsurprisingly the bass are also concentrating on the herring, and while you can still bed fish or catch bass that are up shallow feeding on bedding bream the best bite is for herring fish. Right now points all over the lake are productive, and fish are eating topwater lures, swimbaits, flukes and more. Fish are still in the golden period where the bite is often good all day, even when there is no wind, but when it slows down the fish don’t go far and they can be caught on shaky heads and drop shot rigs in the same areas. Right now, especially with major tournaments upcoming, fishing pressure may be the biggest factor.
The crappie bite is still just fair on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that they are still only catching three or four fish off each brush pile before they shut down. Some of the fish are about 4 feet down on brush in 10 feet of water, while others are more like 8 feet down in 20 feet. They are still showing no interest in minnows and the best fishing is coming with Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors.
The big catfish are moving shallower on Lake Hartwell, and while the numbers are never great Captain Bill Plumley has caught some big blues up to the mid-30s anchoring on clean bottoms in coves at about 17 feet of water. The fish are not showing a strong, consistent preference for any particular cut bait.
At the same time the action for channel cats and shellcracker is not going away any time soon, and the fish have now moved shallower into 12-14 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there. Worms are hard to beat.
April 24
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 660.54 (full pool is 660.00) and water color is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 60s.
While they are still catching crappie on Lake Hartwell, Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that the post-spawn funk is lasting longer than normal this year. They are catching about 30 fish per trip, with most of those over brush in 15-20 feet of water. Fish are suspended about 8 feet down over the top of the brush. While much of the brush is in the creeks, fish are also starting to move back to brush in big ditches on the main lake.
As noted the fish are pretty finicky, and while they will mark hundreds of fish on brush piles catching more than 2 or 3 at a time is rare. They are showing no interest in minnows and the best fishing is coming with Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors.
The big catfish are moving shallower on Lake Hartwell, and while the numbers are never great Captain Bill Plumley has caught some big blues up to the mid-30s anchoring on clean bottoms in coves at about 17 feet of water. The fish are not showing a strong, consistent preference for any particular cut bait.
At the same time the action for channel cats and shellcracker is not going away any time soon, and you can catch all the fish you want in 10-30 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there. Worms are hard to beat.
April 24
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 660.54 (full pool is 660.00) and water color is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 60s.
While they are still catching crappie on Lake Hartwell, Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that the post-spawn funk is lasting longer than normal this year. They are catching about 30 fish per trip, with most of those over brush in 15-20 feet of water. Fish are suspended about 8 feet down over the top of the brush. While much of the brush is in the creeks, fish are also starting to move back to brush in big ditches on the main lake.
As noted the fish are pretty finicky, and while they will mark hundreds of fish on brush piles catching more than 2 or 3 at a time is rare. They are showing no interest in minnows and the best fishing is coming with Bobby Garland straight tail jigs in natural shad colors.
The big catfish are moving shallower on Lake Hartwell, and while the numbers are never great Captain Bill Plumley has caught some big blues up to the mid-30s anchoring on clean bottoms in coves at about 17 feet of water. The fish are not showing a strong, consistent preference for any particular cut bait.
At the same time the action for channel cats and shellcracker is not going away any time soon, and you can catch all the fish you want in 10-30 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there. Worms are hard to beat.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing continues to be outstanding, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the cold front really didn’t hurt the bite much. This morning they had a fish over 20 pounds!
The big spawn is over and fish are starting to make their way out of the backs of the rivers, moving into in the main river runs. First thing they are very shallow in 4-5 feet of water around points, shoals, and old road beds where herring are spawning, and at that time they are targeting them with herring on Carolina rigs. After that they pull out to about 10-15 feet in the same areas and pitching free-lines is working the best. That early bite can last longer on cloudy days, but on sunny days by mid-morning fish are moving into coves in the same general areas where they can be caught on down-rods fished about 25 feet deep on the bottom.
More to follow.
April 11
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 660.7 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake has cleared. Surface water temperatures are still about 64 degrees in the mornings.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing has finally taken off on Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the early morning bite is very, very good. Usually they have a good box of fish by 8:00, with about half of the fish hybrids/ striper and half spotted bass.
Fish seem to be on most of the points in the rivers and fronts of creeks, working their way further back, and first thing they are very shallow in 6 feet or less. As the sun comes up they gradually slip deeper into about 10-15 feet, and then after about 8:00 they head out to 25-30 feet in the coves – where they become much trickier to catch. On cloudy days the shallow bite lasts longer.
A combination of Carolina rigs, pitched free-lines, and down-rods are catching fish.
You can also catch fish with traditional bass fishing techniques, and tournament angler Reid McGinn reports that just running windy points with flukes, swimbaits, and topwater lures last week he caught about 1/3 spotted bass and 2/3 striper and hybrids. Frankly you can catch bass on about any shallow technique you want, and he also had success with a buzzbait inside pockets as well as flipping the banks with a creature bait for bed fish.
Reid did not see herring following his baits, although there may be some there, but it’s as if the fish are up there waiting for the bait to arrive.
The crappie fishing is still very strong on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that for him the best pattern has been casting black and chartreuse jigs at brush in about 20 feet of water. The fish are suspended about 8 feet down and they are catching them just winding back to the boat.
The bite for big catfish is still a little erratic, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that they have caught only the occasional blue catfish anchoring in about 30 feet of water. However, the action for channel cats and shellcracker has taken off and you can catch all the fish you want in 10-30 feet of water. The best places to look are sandy bottoms and so Captain Bill will look for sand coming off the shoreline and then anchor there.
March 28
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 660.8 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is a bit dirtier in the backs but not muddy. Surface water temperatures are still about 57 degrees in the mornings.
The crappie fishing is still pretty hot on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that it seems like the fish are literally everywhere. Some people are wearing them out around the banks, and in the morning he is finding them stacked up around deeper docks where he is fishing jigs vertically for them. In the afternoons the best action is over brush, casting jigs and letting them drop about 8 feet down over 20 feet of water. Black and chartreuse jigs, as well as some hand-tied jigs, continue to be outstanding.
Also, there is a sign of life with the catfish. Captain Bill Plumley finally landed a big 20- plus pound fish today on cut bait in 35 feet of water. Hopefully as temperatures continue to warm things will look up.
Finally, on the bass front USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that, in addition to all the other spring patterns, both spots and largemouth are starting to eat topwater lures and flukes around red clay points up the rivers. The herring are just starting to spawn, and even before they got there bass were waiting for them.
Additionally, you can still bed fish with a white soft plastic craw on a Texas rig, and the dock pattern also remains good on wacky rigs and big swimbaits like the Magdraft.
March 27
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full at 661.01 (full pool is 660.00), and despite a decent round of rain in the last 24 hours they are not expecting the lake to get muddy again. Surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees in the mornings.
Water temperatures should be about 60 degrees or more by now, and as a result of the lag Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the hybrid and striped bass are not biting the way they should be. Numbers are certainly better than last week, but catching a dozen hybrids and striper is now a good day. Again, the spotted bass are out-numbering them by at least 2-1 most trips.
Captain Chip is finding a few fish that made the runs into the upper reaches of the main rivers, but most are still staging about halfway. First thing they are still on the banks in 6-10 feet of water, looking at the spots where they will spawn, and then during the day they are pulling out to 20-28 feet of water. Early the best way to target them is pitching Carolina rigs or free-lines to the banks, while after that down-rods work better.
Unfortunately the bite really slows down once the sun gets up, and they are catching between 2/3 and ¾ of their fish between 6:30 and 8:30. After that it is a grind.
In the afternoons some guys are having decent results pulling planer boards when the water warms, and anglers casting artificial lures at the banks are also having some success.
Since his return to Hartwell Captain Bill Plumley has found a brutally slow bite for catfish, with no bites fishing a broad spectrum of depths from about 10-75 feet for big fish. He has managed some smaller channel catfish in 25-30 feet.
March 20
Lake Hartwell water levels are still over full but back down to 660.91 (full pool is 660.00) and the water has cleared significantly. Surface water temperatures were about 55-56 this morning.
The hybrid and striped bass have made a pretty significant move on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that they have made their way further up the creeks and rivers. First thing they are on the banks in 6-10 feet of water, looking at the spots where they will spawn, and then during the day they are pulling out to 20-25 feet of water. Early the best way to target them is pitching Carolina rigs or free-lines to the banks, while after that down-rods work better.
The only catch has been that after this cold front the bite has been very slow. By next week they expect the bite to much better based on the forecast and calendar.
Again the spotted bass are saving trips, and they are catching plenty of spots to keep customers happy on this pattern.
That makes sense because USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that right now it’s about impossible not to catch bass! They are spread out and feeding.
The herring spawn pattern has not quite gotten underway, but all the other spring patterns are in play. You can still bed fish with a white soft plastic craw on a Texas rig, and the dock pattern also remains really good on wacky rigs and big swimbaits like the Magdraft.
There is also a good bite with jerkbaits in the morning off points. Fish already seem to be getting in the areas where herring will spawn, especially early.
While it’s still good crappie fishing, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports they caught 70 or 80 fish this morning, the cold weather has the fish stacked up on deep docks again in a late winter pattern. They are in very tight schools under the darkest parts of docks in 20 feet of water, and they are suspended 8-10 feet deep. Black and chartreuse jigs continue to be outstanding.
Between this report and last one round of fish already spawned, and they are now catching some post-spawn fish. There also could be some fish that are still shallow this week but not in the creeks Rodney is fishing. With warmer weather there certainly will be in the next few days.
March 14
After spiking to almost 662.5 Lake Hartwell water levels are still very high but back down to 661.55 (full pool is 660.00) and water clarity varies. Surface water temperatures were about 55-56 this morning.
As hard as it is to believe with these warm, sunny days, Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that the cold nights starting a few days ago have moved the crappie back into a late winter pattern. They are stacked up on docks in about 25 feet of water, and they are catching them 10 feet down with minnows and black and chartreuse jigs. There are also some fish on shallow brush by the late afternoon, with most of these about 5-6 feet down over 10-12 feet. Soon fish will move back up, but for now the dock bite is very good.
It's a very similar story with the hybrid and striped bass on Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the cold front dropped water temperatures and basically kept the fish from moving into spring patterns.
In the mornings fish are still in the ditches in 35-40 feet of water at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo, and catches are about 3-10 striper and hybrids per day. They should be much better.
The afternoon is definitely the best time to catch them, and Captain Chip reports that each day that bite is getting better as on warm days fish move up onto sunny banks to feed and they will take swimbaits. Light wind makes for the best fishing.
By next report Chip things it will be a completely different story, but honestly what has been keeping parties busy right now is bass. Spotted bass are stacked up deep with the striper – but unlike the hybrids and striper they are feeding. On a typical day they catch 20 or more on live bait in 35-40 feet.
But there is another group of bass that have moved shallow and actually started spawning, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that you can now bed fish with a white soft plastic craw on a Texas rig. The dock pattern also remains really good in clear pockets, and he is still catching them shallow on wacky rigs and big swimbaits like the Magdraft.
There is also a good bite with jerkbaits in the morning off points. The herring spawn should start pretty soon and fish already seem to be getting up there in anticipation.
While Captain Bill Plumley has headed to Santee after catfish, his last catches came drifting (aided by the trolling motor because of all the trees) or anchored on the bottom in 80 feet.
March 7
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 661.46 and still climbing (full pool is 660.00), and the water is fast getting muddy. Surface water temperatures were 55 this morning but the dirty water is quickly warming and by noon surface water temperatures were already up to 58 degrees.
Water conditions on Hartwell are about as crazy as Captain Bill Plumley has ever seen them, and he reports that this morning the creek he started out in was clean but they are pulling water so fast that he watched the mud line approach and then the mud surround his boat. Trash and even whole trees are already floating, and it’s getting dangerous to run around. And with two more inches predicted for tomorrow night things should only get worse.
In these conditions it has not been a fast big for big blue catfish, as deep clear lakes like Hartwell don’t seem to fish well with high water, but he has managed to pick up a few big fish. Before today they all came drifting (aided by the trolling motor because of all the trees), but this morning he caught a big one on the bottom in 80 feet.
Water conditions are also having an impact on the bass fishing, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that he is finding the best action in clear, main lake pockets. The fish have started pulling up really well around docks, and he is catching them in 5 feet of water or less on wacky rigs and big swimbaits like the Magdraft. For now most of the fish have been spots, but largemouth are doing the same thing. You just have to run across them.
March 6
Lake Hartwell water levels have shot up to 661.15 before today’s rain (full pool is 660.00) and the water is expected to get dirty again. Morning surface water temperatures are about 54-55 degrees, approaching 60 on sunny afternoons.
The crappie are biting very well in the backs of creeks on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that there are even reports of some fish as shallow as 2-3 feet of water that are getting close to spawning. He hasn’t been targeting these fish because you can’t use electronics that shallow and so it doesn’t make sense for guide parties, but he has caught them as shallow as 10 feet of water with a jig 2 feet under a bobber over trees.
There are also plenty of fish suspended over brush about 6-8 feet down, and he is also still finding fish over deep docks in about 20 feet. Again, 6-8 feet down has been the magic depth.
Everything is coming on black and chartreuse jigs and he hasn’t even been messing with minnows.
It’s unclear what this rain will do to the hybrid and striped bass on Hartwell, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that it seems like the fishing is about to bust wide open. In the mornings they continue to mark a lot of fish in the ditches in 35-40 feet of water at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo that aren’t feeding terribly well, but there are also more fish moving into the creeks. As long as things don’t get too muddy that should accelerate and those fish should feed better very soon.
Overall it’s better afternoon than morning fishing right now, and Captain Chip reports that on warm afternoons fish are moving up onto sunny banks to feed and they will take swimbaits. Some wind is needed for this pattern to produce, and while fish will feed in strong wind the most successful and comfortable fishing comes when there is a moderate breeze.
More to follow.
February 29
Lake Hartwell water levels went above full but have now dropped back to 659.98 (full pool is 660.00) and the water has cleared and the creeks now have just a light stain. Morning surface water temperatures this morning were 52 degrees.
It’s still a fantastic time for crappie fishing on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that the cold snap did knock the fish in the head. This morning on the water he is still marking tons of fish, but they only have 20 instead of 50 or more and they are watching hundreds of fish look at their baits but only occasionally commit. This morning they are showing no interest in minnows and will only take jigs.
Overall there are still tons of fish on both docks and brush about 10 feet down over 20 feet of water back in the creeks, but the last couple of days they also found fish that had moved shallower into just 10 feet of water that would take a jig 3 feet under a cork. They hadn’t left this morning but were more finicky.
The hybrid and striped bass bite is about the same, with one exception below, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that they continue to mark a lot of fish in the ditches in 35-40 feet of water at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo but they still aren’t feeding well. The water has significantly cleared and so they can’t use that as an excuse anymore, and so it’s probably just a matter of needing water temperatures to rise a few degrees.
But the afternoon swimbait bite is getting better each day, and Captain Chip reports that fish are moving up onto sunny banks to feed and they will take swimbaits. Some wind is needed for this pattern to produce, and while fish will feed in strong wind the most successful and comfortable fishing comes when there is a moderate breeze.
Hopefully we won’t get a significant rain event because that would set the striper back. Right now the color of the creeks is perfect.
On the catfish front, Captain Bill Plumley reports that the fishing has been slow this week. The water is still cold and fish don’t need to feed every day, but he hasn’t hit them a single day when they were “on”.
More to follow.
February 22
Lake Hartwell water levels are fairly stable at 659.85 (full pool is 660.00) and the creeks are still muddy but the main lake is just a little dingy. Morning surface water temperatures range from the upper 40s to low 50s.
It was a completely different pattern for bass with the cooler weather this weekend, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that the fish had backed way off into the ditches. He caught nearly 17 pounds fishing a jig and a shaky head in 30-45 feet of water in ditches near the main lake. There were still some fish on docks and flats but far less than there have been.
At the same time, as temperatures rebound and with the full moon Jacob expects the spotted bass and largemouth to move back towards secondary points and flats getting ready to move in to spawn. They will head back into the middle to backs of creeks mostly in 6-12 feet of water and the crankbait bite will get better again – especially around rock.
The hybrid and striped bass bite still isn’t where it should be, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that they continue to mark a lot of fish in the ditches in 35-40 feet of water at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo, but they just aren’t feeding well. When the fish move back up onto the ridges they should feed better. In addition to the cold, muddy conditions aren’t helping, and Captain Chip notes that he’s never seen the creeks this muddy with no rain in about two weeks.
The one bright spot is that the afternoon swimbait bite is getting better each day, and Chip reports that fish are moving up onto sun-drenched banks to feed and they will take swimbaits. Some wind is needed for this pattern to produce, and while fish will feed in strong wind the most successful and comfortable fishing comes when there is a moderate breeze.
The best thing going on Lake Hartwell is the crappie, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that he is still catching them on docks about 10 feet down over 20 feet of water in the backs of creeks – but more fish are also starting to get on brush. The best brush is at the same depth and the fish are, again, about 10 feet down. While Rodney doesn’t fish this way there are also plenty of fish just swimming around in open water getting ready to hit the banks, and these can be caught long-line trolling. Minnows would catch fish but black and chartreuse jigs have been hard to beat.
On the catfish front, Captain Bill Plumley reports that with a little warming the big blue catfish are feeding better again, and this morning he caught two 8-10 pound fish as well as a 26-pounder. They were still on the main channel in 48 feet of water over a clean, fishable bottom.
February 15
Lake Hartwell water levels are almost full at 659.70 (full pool is 660.00) and the creeks are muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are about 50-51 degrees.
Out on the water slaying the crappie as we write, Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that he is targeting fish in 15-25 feet of water in the creek runs. A few fish are starting to get on brush but more are on docks, and he is single-pole vertical fishing for them. There are also plenty of fish just swimming around that you could long-line troll for or cast at with forward-facing sonar.
In general the fish are suspended about halfway down in the water column, but some are shallower in the dirty conditions. As we talked he was catching them 6 feet down in 17 feet.
On the bass front, USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that both spotted bass and largemouth are finally starting to stage up on secondary points and flats getting ready to move in to spawn. Fish are in the middle to backs of creeks mostly in 6-12 feet of water, and rock and red clay points have been better than sandy ones. Red crankbaits and sexy shad jerkbaits are both fishing well.
February 14
Lake Hartwell water levels are almost full at 659.70 (full pool is 660.00) and the creeks are getting stained again. Morning surface water temperatures are about 50 degrees.
While the deluge Monday stained the backs of creeks again, Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters(864-304-9011) reports that they got so dirty before, and had cleared so much, that even now they seem relatively clear. If anything the very, very high water levels are having more of an effect on the hybrid and striped bass fishing, explained below, and Chip reports that in the morning fish are still mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water. They are catching them on down rods at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo, but this week the fish seem to be more oriented to ditches than points and ridges. They are following the ditches back until they hit the magic depth and see bait.
While the fast-rising, high water levels seem to have negatively affected the afternoon bite throwing swimbaits towards warm, stained points, pulling planer boards is coming on strong. Some nice fish are being caught this way even though it’s still a little hit-or-miss.
More to follow.
February 9
Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 658.78 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake has cleared although smaller creeks are still a bit dirty in the backs. Morning surface water temperatures are about 49 degrees.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing has picked up just a little this week on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that even though numbers are still pretty low they are getting more good fish. Fish are still mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water, and they are catching them on down rods around points and ridges at the mouths of creeks off the Seneca and Tugaloo. Recently Captain Chip’s boat has not found as many fish in the areas near the dam.
January 31
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 659.75 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is high and dirty and there is a lot of trash floating. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s.
In just a matter of weeks Lake Hartwell went from 8 feet down to full pool, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that in the last week alone the lake shot up more than three feet. The net result has not been good for the striped and hybrid bass fishing, and Captain Chip reports that you can still mark a ton of fish – they have moved a little ways out of the creeks, but are still in similar areas – but getting them to bite has been extremely tricking. A friend caught one striper and one spotted bass in a morning of fishing!
The concentration of fish in the rivers is still good, and there is every reason to believe that the fish will turn back on once the water conditions improve.
In addition to the dirtier water, USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) notes that with warmer conditions the water temperature rose about four degrees last week. The bass are now heavy on points and brush 20-25 feet deep, with the best concentrations of fish around secondary points near the creek channels. A small 3-inch swimbait is working really well, and they are also catching them on a shaky head. This bite is mostly spots with the occasional largemouth.
Perhaps in a very early move towards spawning areas, on sunny days Jacob notes that there are some fish starting to get under docks. However, other than that there are no signs of fish staging for the spawn.
In windy conditions you can also catch fish on a crankbait in the muddy water.
Finally, Captain Bill Plumley reports that all the big creeks he wants to fish in are Clemson orange and he cannot buy a bite for catfish or otherwise. Apparently this is the second wettest January since they have started keeping records!
January 22
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 657.05 (full pool is 660.00) and water levels have shot up after recent rains. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-40s.
Even though it’s gotten very cold, Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that when they can find people willing to go after them the striped and hybrid bass are still biting pretty well on Lake Hartwell. Fish are on the bottom in creeks in 38-45 feet of water, and there are also lots of perch and spotted bass in the same areas. Sometimes they are around bait but there have been other times where the hungriest fish seem to not have very much bait nearby. Down-rods have been working the best.
Creeks all over the lake have been productive, from the dam to the rivers.
Of note, the spotted bass seem to be the least affected by the cold and biting the best.
Oh, and in two days on the water last week, Captain Bill Plumley reports that didn’t have a catfish bite.
With the full moon the crawfish are out and moving around, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that as a result the best bet for bass is fishing a jig around natural rock in 15 feet or less. Spotted bass are on the main lake and largemouth are mostly in the creeks.
Especially with the rain coming you can also fish a crankbait around steep, rocky banks in areas where there is some stain in the water. Look for the presence of birds to locate fish.
January 4
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 653.19 (full pool is 660.00) and there is some stained water in the backs. Morning surface water temperatures are down to the low 50s.
Even though it’s really cold on the water, Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the striped and hybrid bass have been biting very well on Lake Hartwell. Fish have moved a bit deeper and they are on the bottom in creeks in 38-45 feet of water. Sometimes they are around bait but there have been other times where the hungriest fish seem to not have very much bait nearby. Down-rods have been working the best.
Creeks all over the lake have been productive, and Captain Chip’s boat had been spending more time up the rivers until yesterday when they duplicated the same bite in Lightwood Log and Sadler’s Creek. In the lower lake the birds seem to be diving more on loons, while down the lake they are on fish more often.
You can still catch bass on spoons in the ditches around timber in 25-40 feet of water where there are bait schools, but USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that there is also starting to be a brush bite on points in 20-25 feet of water with a jig and a Ned rig. The points need to be on the main lake and the water needs to be clear around them.
If you prefer to fish shallower you can also fish a crankbait around steep, rocky banks in areas where there is some stain in the water. Look for the presence of birds to locate fish.
The blue catfish bite is very slow on Lake Hartwell, but Captain Bill Plumley reports that he has caught some fish up to about 10 pounds on the bottom in 80 feet with cut bait in clean areas.