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. 

December 21

Lake Hartwell water levels are back down to 652.25 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 54 degrees after very cold nights. 

After the cold front the striped and hybrid bass have been striking short on Lake Hartwell, and as a result Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that instead of catching 30 or 40 fish in a morning they are getting 15 or 20 but still a ton of bites. The good news is that the jigging spoon bite has really come on, and now about half of their catch is coming on spoons. 

Overall fish are still in the same areas, partway back in the rivers and creeks all over the lake. They are very bait-oriented. Not every creek has fish in it right now, and not every creek with bait has fish – but if a creek doesn’t have bait you are wasting your time.

In general fish are about 30-42 deep on humps and ridges, and usually they are on the bottom. 

The bass have gone into full-on winter mode on Hartwell and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that they are eating a spoon in the ditches anywhere from 25-40 feet around timber where there are bait schools. They are all grouped up together, and in addition to bass you will catch striper, white perch and more this way. A Damiki rig is also effective.

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 big blue catfish bite has pretty much died on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley doesn’t have much explanation besides that the feeding slows down in the cold. It happens every year on Hartwell when water temperatures approach 50. If you want to try your luck deep, clean bottoms are still the place to look with big sections of cut bait. 

We will be back on the crappie reports from Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) in the new year!

December 14

Lake Hartwell water levels are at 652.37 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees. 

The bait problems have been resolved on Lake Hartwell, and as a result Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the striped and hybrid bass fishing is very strong. Fish are feeding well and they are still partway back in the rivers and creeks all over the lake. They are very bait-oriented. Not every creek has fish in it right now, and not every creek with bait has fish – but if a creek doesn’t have bait you are wasting your time.

In general fish are about 32-42 deep on humps and ridges, and usually they are on the bottom. Down-lines are working the best, and even when you see a random group of suspended fish they seem to prefer a down-line to a free-line. 

The bass have gone into full-on winter mode on Hartwell and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that they are eating a spoon in the ditches anywhere from 25-40 feet around timber where there are bait schools. They are all grouped up together, and in addition to bass you will catch striper, white perch and more this way. A Damiki rig is also effective.

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. 

It’s not like Santee but there’s a pretty steady bite for big blue catfish, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that he is still catching them very deep in 70-80 feet of water. Captain Bill has been fishing up the Seneca River in clean areas, and he notes that in Hartwell there is so much timber that you really have to pick your spots and anchor. If you try to drift the way you could in Santee you will spend all your time re-tying. Fish aren’t showing a clear preference for any bait and perch, bream, fish heads or basically whatever Bill has is working. 

November 29

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 652.25 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures were down to about 61 degrees this morning.

The striped and hybrid bass fishing has been very good on Lake Hartwell this week, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that there has been an unusual hitch the last day or two – getting bait has been a challenge! While they have herring, the only ones available right now are very large, and with the fish feeding on smaller bait they just aren’t working as well. You can still catch fish with big herring but not the 25-40 per trip they have been expecting, and you have to deal with a lot of short strikes where the fish just won’t commit.

That temporary issue aside, the fish are feeding well and they are still partway back in the rivers and creeks all over the lake. They are very bait-oriented. Not every creek has fish in it right now, and not every creek with bait has fish – but if a creek doesn’t have bait you are wasting your time.

In general fish are about 32-42 deep on humps and ridges, and usually they are on the bottom. Down-lines are working the best, and even when you see a random group of suspended fish they seem to prefer a down-line to a free-line. 

The bass fishing has improved with lower temperatures, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that the fish have finally moved off into the creek channels and ditches. They are mostly in 30-40 feet of water, and while brush always helps you can find them in places with no cover as well. It’s more about finding the balls of shad and herring. Jigs and underspins are both working well, and if the sun is out then fish are mostly on the bottom. In cloudy conditions they will roam a bit more. 

The deep bite is the best bite from what Guide Brad Fowler is seeing, too, but he does note that fish haven’t yet gotten on their best very deep holes. That makes sense because as late as this past weekend he was still seeing occasional wolf packs of big bass around docks, a pattern which is usually winding down by late October! Water temperatures were in the mid-60s this weekend during the day so that isn’t too surprising. 

The crappie fishing is fairly weather-dependent right now, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that after cold fronts the fish will push closer to the bottom. In warmer periods they will suspend more. In general the best place to look is in the creek runs in about 20 feet of water, and they will be related to deep brush and docks. Minnows are the best option. 

The big blue catfish are finally biting better, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that he has been catching them very deep in 70-80 feet of water. In fact the biggest fish he caught recently was in 82 feet of water. Captain Bill has been fishing up the Seneca River in clean areas, and he notes that in Hartwell there is so much timber that you really have to pick your spots and anchor. If you try to drift the way you could in Santee you will spend all your time re-tying. Fish aren’t showing a clear preference for any bait and perch, bream, or basically whatever Bill has is working. 

November 16

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 652.54 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees.

It continues to be really reliable fishing for striped and hybrid bass on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that fish haven’t moved very far. They are still about 1/3 – ½ way back in the creeks and rivers all over the lake, from Lightwood Log to the Seneca and Tugaloo to various creeks out the river arms. The best action this week has come at the mouths of coves, and fishing approximately 40-45 feet deep on the bottom has been the magic ticket. Some fish are a bit shallower or deeper but not many, with the one exception being that when it warms in the late afternoon fish are more likely to move up into 30-35 feet. Some of the fish are following ridges or gullies until they hit that magic 40-45 foot depth where the bait and fish are found. 

There were a couple of days at the end of last week where they schooled in the morning for a minute, but overall it’s been really random and sporadic. 

  

As temperatures drop bass are getting more predictable, and USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that as temperatures get into the lower 60s the fish are starting to move deeper towards brush and ditches. A ½ - ¾ ounce PB&J football jig from Savannah River Tackle has been his go-to bait, and most of the fish are coming in 25-40 feet. The main lake seems to be holding the most fish. 

He will be targeting the catfish in earnest more now that there is plenty of venison in the freezer, but Captain Bill Plumley reports that the few channels he has picked up have been in 25-30 plus feet of water.  Soon they will go even deeper. News on the blues to follow after the holiday.  

Crappie report to follow after Thanksgiving from Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143).

November 9

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 652.94 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 67-68 degrees.   

Fall patterns have finally kicked in (a couple of weeks late), and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the hybrid and striped bass bite has improved dramatically. Fish are about 1/3 – ½ way back in the creeks all over the lake, and while Captain Chip has been focused on Lightwood Log the same pattern is repeating up the Seneca, Tugaloo and creeks all over the lake. The only surprise is that fish are a bit deeper than they expected, and in the first hour or two they are in about 35 feet off the channel. After that they are moving to 45-50. Everything is on the bottom and they are catching all their fish on down-rods. 

At the same time that striper are getting easier to catch, USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that the bass fishing is getting tougher. He is still catching fish on rocky points in the morning, but once the sun gets up then the best pattern he has found is to chase schooling fish with a 3-inch swimbait. With low and dropping water levels the dock bite is still pretty poor. 

The rapid heating and then cooling isn’t helping anything that Captain Bill Plumley is fishing for, and he’s only been picking up a few white perch and spotted bass fishing up the Seneca River. You could probably catch some channel catfish out in 30-40 feet, but he’s looking forward the action for blues hopefully improving when it cools off. 

November 2

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 653.22 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to 65-69 degrees.    

With a literal Arctic blast, and frost on the ground this morning, it’s unsurprising that Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the hybrid and striped bass bite has been tough the last couple of days. Yesterday Captain Chip ran a charter and worked his tail off to catch two hybrids, seven spotted bass, and two catfish. They marked a ton of bait and fish, but it’s going to take a few days for the fish to get back into normal feeding patterns.

While a sudden cold front didn’t help the bite in the short term, looking ahead cooler weather is exactly what has been needed to get the fish into normal November patterns. The fish are now mostly up the rivers and creeks in about 45-48 feet, and once they are eating better they will move up on the sides to feed in 25-32 feet. 

Just before the turnover USC-Union’s Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) and his tournament partner Mark Kershaw fished the MLF college bass fishing event on Lake Hartwell, and they managed 15-13 for a very impressive second place out of 250 boats! They were fishing mid-way back in the creeks, and they caught most of their fish on rocky points with a shaky head worm. A week or two ago the fish were more related to brush, but (even though some of the areas they were fishing had brushy cover) this time it was all about targeting rock. The full moon had the crawfish moving around and the bass – all spots – which they caught were spitting up crawfish as well as shad. The best action came in 12-25 feet. 

There is also a bit of a dock bite right now, but it’s just not very good. 

While he has been in the woods and not on the lake the past couple of days since the cold snap, Captain Bill Plumley reports that based on his experience the cold weather will slow down the shellcracker and channel catfish bite and put both species much deeper.  In fact this should mark the tail end of decent channel catfish action for the year, even though you can still pick up a few in 30-40 feet before they eventually move as deep as 60-80 feet later in the winter.   

At the same time once the lake finishes turning over the blue catfish should come shallower out of the timber, and that bite should improve.  

Crappie report to follow from Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143).

October 26

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 653.69 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are down to around 73 degrees.  

It’s been pretty brutal conditions for hybrid and striped bass this week on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that the turnover is to blame. It started a while back and has now moved into the areas where they have been fishing. As a result they have had to go looking way up the rivers where the lake has finished turning over, and they have found a bunch of smaller fish up that way.  They found some schooling yesterday, and the rest they caught on down-lines in about 28-31 feet.

Fish are already on the move and once the lake is done turning over the majority of them will be up the rivers and creeks and they will have settled into a normal November pattern. The fish will settle in the backs in about 45-48 feet, and they will move up on the sides to feed in 25-32 feet. 

The turnover also has the bass on the move, and Guide Jacob Butts (864-934-9450) reports that there are basically two things going on right now. First, there is a shallow bite around shallow rock with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and other moving baits. But the bigger picture is that with the turnover more fish are sitting on brush in about 20 feet where they will hit a jig. With the turnover they are feeding on shad more than herring and not feeding up as much, and when they do feed up they are only schooling very briefly on small shad before sounding. 

The best action is on the main lake to halfway back in the creeks. 

For now the shellcracker and catfish are still in a fall pattern in 20-22 feet of water or more, but Captain Bill Plumley reports it won’t last too much longer. His boat is targeting steep drops along the channel in the Seneca River, and worms will catch both species while dip baits are working for catfish. 

Most of the blues seem to be deep still, but there are plenty of hungry flatheads that are accessible. At night with live bream, perch or any very fresh cut bait you can catch them in 10-30 feet around points and bends back in the creeks. While brush helps, they will not always be around it.

No new crappie report from Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143).

October 19

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 654.32 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are down to around 73 degrees.  

Fresh off a sixth place finish in the ABA National Championship and a week on Lake Hartwell, tournament angler Reid McGinn reports that Lake Hartwell bass are pretty much in a textbook fall pattern for that lake. And considering the pressure, they were biting better than he expected – at least in terms of numbers.

In addition to standard shallow patterns including running the banks with a buzzbait and spinnerbait, he found a lot of offshore schools of fish related to hard targets such as timber, brush and cane piles.  Some of them were schooling (often mixed in with striped fish), others he called up with a fluke and topwater, and others he caught on a jig around cover. 

But the most interesting thing he noticed was that, seemingly because of all the pressure, fish were often pushing to the shallow side of what was apparently holding them. The offshore targets might be in 25 feet of water, but sometimes he would catch fish ten or more yards off of that stuff related to more subtle contour changes or the like in just 12-15 feet of water. 

The winning angler, who bested the rest of the field by almost ten pounds over three days, was apparently fishing in timber. But with basically all of Lake Hartwell over 30 or 40 feet being covered in trees that is a pretty daunting area to try to fish!

The hybrid and striped bass have started to school again on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that they really haven’t moved much. A few went up the rivers, but basically most of the fish are at the mouths of the Seneca and Tugaloo on bait. They are going pretty crazy right now, and the action is wide open, although Chip doesn’t expect them to stay there too long. Right now they are everywhere from 30-140 feet and it’s not unusual to see several acres of fish on top. It’s almost like they got caught in an area with lots of bait and it slowed their standard fall progression.

When fish aren’t schooling then they are catching them close to the bottom in about 35 feet of water, so they have moved shallower than when they were in 45 last week.

The shellcracker and catfish are still in an early fall pattern in 20-22 feet of water or more, and Captain Bill expects them to stay there until the lake turns over. Bill is targeting steep drops along the channel in the Seneca River, and worms will catch both species while dip baits are working for catfish. 

Most of the blues seem to be deep still, but there are plenty of hungry flatheads that are accessible. At night with live bream, perch or any very fresh cut bait you can catch them in 10-30 feet around points and bends back in the creeks. While brush helps, they will not always be around it.

There are still some crappie to be caught around brush in 15-25 feet of water, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that right now the fishing is not good. It will improve once temperatures drop, but for right now it is about as tough as it gets on Lake Hartwell.

October 12

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 654.75 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are still around 76 degrees.  

The cold front last weekend did not have the desired effect on the hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports that after the cold snap the fish almost completely shut down. The water temperature only dropped a degree or two, going in the preferred direction, so it was likely related to barometric pressure. The high winds and drastically lower air temperatures also didn’t help. For the last few days it’s been a challenge to catch anything except spotted bass, and many guides have been rescheduling trips. 

But as temperatures stabilize and drop into the 72-75 degree range a true fall pattern should kick in. Fish will ease up the creeks, there will be some schooling activity, and more fish will be caught on down rods in 35-45 feet. 

For now the best fishing is generally with down-rods in about 40-45 feet of water, slightly up the rivers on flats beside the channel. 

It’s not easy conditions for bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that in particular the shallow bite seems to be off right now. Dropping water levels can’t be helping that. In the ABA Championship on Lake Hartwell weights are a little down, and outside of the top 10 they quickly dip below about 12 ½ pounds. Only two boats out of about 250 broke fifteen pounds on day one.

The best thing going is the offshore bite, and these days that means a lot of people chasing fish on forward-facing sonar with swimbaits. You can also fish topwater lures around deep points and drop shot rigs around brush.

The shellcracker and catfish are still in an early fall pattern in 20-22 feet of water or more, and Captain Bill expects them to stay there until the lake turns over. Bill is targeting steep drops along the channel in the Seneca River, and worms will catch both species while dip baits are working for catfish. 

Most of the blues seem to be deeper again, but there are plenty of hungry flatheads that are accessible. At night with live bream, perch or any very fresh cut bait you can catch them in 10-30 feet around points and bends back in the creeks. While brush helps, they will not always be around it.

There are still some crappie to be caught around brush in 15-25 feet of water, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that right now the fishing is not good. It will improve once temperatures drop, but for right now it is about as tough as it gets on Lake Hartwell.

October 5

Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 655.12 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are around 76 degrees.

With cool weather coming this weekend the hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell will probably change fast, but Captain Chip Hamilton with Lake Hartwell Fishing Charters (864-304-9011) reports for now the fish are still finicky. Visually there is some incredible schooling activity, with acres of fish on top at times, but they are sounding as soon as you get close to them and moving fast and erratically. They are also super picky about what they will eat, and the last two mornings they would only take a Zara Spook. 

Fish have started to make their move up the rivers, and Chip is finding good concentrations a couple of miles up the Tugaloo. When they aren’t on top they seem to be going back to about 40 feet of water where they will sometimes take downlines.

Schooling fish should be easier to target as water temperatures drop, and the fish also become more catchable when they get further back in the creeks and are more hemmed in. In open water they can go anywhere. Right now they aren’t seeing many hybrids and striper schooling in the creeks, but they are seeing a lot of spotted bass. Most are on the smaller side but they did manage one big 4-pounder. 

Captain Bill Plumley is also finding a lot of spotted bass feeding on top in the creeks, and the fish he is seeing are feeding on very small threadfin shad about ¾ inch long. He is catching them by casting a 1/8 ounce Rooster Tail behind a casting weight, as they show no interest in bigger baits or even live herring. They will sometimes eat a minnow on a plain #6 hook, but if you put it on a small jighead they show no interest. 

The shellcracker and catfish are still in a late summer/ early fall pattern in 20-22 feet of water or more, and Captain Bill expects them to stay there until the lake turns over. Bill is targeting steep drops along the channel in the Seneca River, and worms will catch both species while dip baits are working for catfish. 

Most of the blues seem to be deeper again, but there are plenty of hungry flatheads that are accessible. At night with live bream, perch or any very fresh cut bait you can catch them in 10-30 feet around points and bends back in the creeks. While brush helps, they will not always be around it.

There are still some crappie to be caught around brush in 15-25 feet of water, but Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that right now the fishing is not very good. It will improve once temperatures drop, but for right now it is about as tough as it gets on Lake Hartwell.