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.