April 20

Clarks Hill water levels are still very high at 330.93 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are around 67 degrees. 

We are nearing the peak of the herring spawn, and Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that about the next three weeks should be totally wide open for bass fishing. This week we have hit the period where you can run from point to point and almost every one if not every point will have fish on it.

Of course the nature of the bite varies from day to day, and on sunny, windy days fish feed better and are more likely to take topwater lures. When there is no sun then they are more likely to take something subsurface like a Sebille, fluke or swimbait, and when they are especially passive then you need to pull out a Carolina rig or shaky head. 

It’s also a matter of timing, and to catch a big bag off a point you basically have to get there at the right time. The big ones feed in spells, but the bite is usually better after 10 o’clock.

There are also post-spawn fish that are guarding fry, but don’t give up on bed fish. Last year Josh caught one off the bed on May 17 and there will certainly be another wave on the May full moon. 

Based on that it makes sense that the pattern for striped and hybrid bass is pretty simple, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that it’s really as straight-forward as fishing shallow on main lake points early when the fish are up there feeding on herring. The best action is from the bank out to 12 feet.  After the sun gets up you may catch a fish or two pulling boards, but the better plan is to go home after the initial feeding binge. Everyone stays but basically they just aren’t biting once the early rush is over.

The crappie are now moving back to brush, and Little River Guide Service reports that the best concentrations of catchable fish are now 10-12 feet down over brush piles in 25 feet of water in the creeks. Both minnows and jigs will work. 

Catfish report to follow.

April 10

Clarks Hill water levels are even further above full at 331.61 (full pool is 330.00) and some of the creeks are muddy. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to 58-59 degrees. 

Unsurprisingly the striped and hybrid bass bite has changed dramatically in the last few days, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that they have gone from fishing in 6 feet of water to having to target them with down-rods in 40. And they have gone from having limits by 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning to having to really work for fish.

Soon the herring spawn will kick into action again and the fish will move shallower, and then we will be back to the pattern where first thing they are usually in 2-6 feet of water, then they move out to 6-15 feet, and eventually they could be out in 40-50 feet but still high in the water column. But that will take a few days. 

Despite a small blip related to this last front, tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that overall we are still in a period where the bass fishing is wide open. In his view the largest spawning wave just went on the bed on the April 6 full moon, and their coming off should coincide perfectly with when the herring begin spawning again. Within a few days you should be able to find pre- and post-spawn fishing schooling on any distinct main lake point. The spawning herring will also be found in the creeks, but without as much wind to activate the fish (and camouflage baits) the action is never as good back there. 

Just a few days ago the herring spawn was really getting good, but Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) agrees that temperatures in the 40s knocked things back. However, he also expects all the big females to be coming back to the points. So far this spring they have had better luck with flukes, paddletail swimbaits, and jerkbaits, while the fish have just been blowing up on Gunfish but not getting it. Again, that could change. 

On better days recently Little River Guide Service has again been trolling for crappie in 6-15 feet of water, but with this recent cold snap they have had to target post-spawn fish that are setting up on deep brush piles in 25-30 feet of water. Wind has also limited their ability to troll and fish a lot of areas.

Overall there are still spawning and even pre-spawn fish, but probably the better numbers are post-spawn. 

Before this weekend’s cold snap the catfish bite on Clarks Hill was starting to move shallower and improve, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that once again the weather has delayed expected change. Anchoring on main lake points and fan-casting baits from 10-30 feet of water is still the most consistent pattern. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the go-to baits. Continue to give fish plenty of time until the bite normalizes.

March 30

Clarks Hill water levels are way above full at 331.33 (full pool is 330.00) and some muddy water can be found in the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 60s. 

While what many people consider the most exciting bass bite of the year hasn’t gotten underway yet (centering around the herring spawn), tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that with fish hungry and water temperatures in an ideal range you can fish about however you have confidence right now. Even though the bait isn’t there yet you can find mostly post-spawn fish on points where they know the bait is coming, you can beat the banks, you can bed fish and more. Tyler has actually found the biggest fish by heading up into muddier water and flipping a jig or casting a spinnerbait.  But with water levels way up, and seasonal pressure, most of the good patterns are shallow.  Luckily high water levels mean there are plenty of good shallow targets to throw at. 

Already very good, the fishing should only get better for some time now.  

The magic number we are looking for the herring spawn to really get underway is usually about 65 degrees, and Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) concurs that fish are already on the points that will take shaky heads and jigs but very soon they will start to school. He also notes that it’s worth checking the same points later in the day when the water warms to see if the action has heated up. 

All over the lake the striped and hybrid bass have gone shallow, and Captain Tony Shepherd with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that they are in a typical spring pattern where in low light conditions you need to fish shallow but then as the sun gets up head deeper. With herring close to spawning and even a few experimenting, fish are relating to clay points, the back sides of blow throughs, etc.  

First thing they are usually in 2-6 feet of water, then they move out to 6-15 feet and so on, and eventually they could be out in 40-50 feet. However, they will usually still be in the top of the water column.

The best way to approach these shallow fish is with free-line presentations, lightly weighted flat lines or planer boards.  

As on Murray the trolling crappie bite has pretty much fallen apart this week on Clarks Hill, and Tony reports they think that is because so many fish are on the banks and getting ready to spawn on or before the April 7 full moon. Another group of fish has already spawned – perhaps half – but they may have headed out to deeper water and at the very least are harder to catch. 

Even though he doesn’t yet rate is as good the catfish bite on Clarks Hill is getting close, and Captain Chris Simpson(864-992-2352) reports that soon he expects the fishing to be wide open. Anchoring on main lake points and fan-casting baits from 10-30 feet of water is still the most consistent pattern. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the go-to baits. Continue to give fish plenty of time until the bite normalizes.

March 16

Clarks Hill water levels are up to 329.61 (full pool is 330.00) and clarity has normalized. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped from about 65 to 57 degrees.   

Things have changed dramatically on Clarks Hill in a week, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that the striped and hybrid bass can now be caught on the bottom in about 40 feet of water off points on the main river channel. The bait was starting to spawn a few days ago, particularly up the lake where the action starts first, but it has now backed off for a few days.  Once it warms it will move back up. 

The catch is still mainly hybrids, and if you want to target a big striper then pulling planer boards with big baits across sun-drenched points is probably the best pattern. 

The first wave of crappie has completed their spawn on Clarks Hill, and Rocky reports that he is targeting both pre- and post-spawn fish trolling jigs in open water in the creeks. The fish are generally 15-18 feet down in 20-30 feet of water.  While some fish will get up shallow again as soon as the water warms, Rocky doesn’t expect to target fish on the banks again until right before the next full moon. 

Despite some giant catches including a 9.39 pound bass in last weekend’s big bass tournament, it's been a little tough according to Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152). Josh reports that the most consistent bite he has been able to find has been throwing little swimbaits around rocky points and brush piles on the edges of points and ditches. He’s looking for places that lead to the back of big creek pockets where the fish will be spawning.

These are good places to target pre-spawn – as well as post-spawn fish that are moving back out. With the cooler weather not many fish are looking to bed right now. 

The cool weather is likely to delay the best catfish bite on Clarks Hill even more, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that he expects fishing to stay inconsistent a little longer. One day they will catch multiple 30 plus pound fish, and then the next day it can be a struggle to catch anything. 

Right now anchoring on main lake points and fan-casting baits from 10-30 feet of water is about the most consistent pattern during this inconsistent time. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the go-to baits. Give each spot about an hour before moving because the fish seem to be lethargic and it takes them a while to start moving around.

March 9

Clarks Hill water levels are up to 329.10 (full pool is 330.00) and the lake is clearing but some of the backs are dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are around 62 degrees.

It’s that magical time of year where you can do about anything you want on Clarks Hill and catch bass, as tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that temperatures are ideal for fish to feed and they want to eat. Already one wave of fish has spawned, but spawning activity is likely to continue through April, and so for some time now there should be pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn fish.

The best action that Tyler has found has come in shallow, muddy water throwing a ½ ounce spinnerbait and flipping a jig. They caught several fish in the 4-5 plus pound range this way, good enough for second place in a recent tournament. However, Tyler notes that not all the fish are on the banks yet.

From what he can tell the bass aren’t on a topwater bite off points yet, but you can catch fish on a buzzbait and frog. There are also some reports of fish being caught schooling on bait in the backs of some creeks. 

The striped and hybrid bass fishing has changed a lot in two weeks, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that the most consistent pattern for catching numbers of fish (mainly hybrids) is fishing herring on the bottom off main lake points in about 15 feet of water. He believes that some of the bluebacks are already spawning, even though it’s about a month early. Shallow down-lines or even throwing out live bait like you are catfishing will work.

If you want to concentrate on striper then the pattern is generally pulling big baits on free-lines and planer boards across points. While there could be a few fish in the creeks, the action has been much better in the main lake. 

Just a few days ago it was still an incredible crappie bite on Clarks Hill, but Rocky reports that things have really dropped off in the last couple of days. Recently they were catching 60-90 fish, but now getting 20 or 30 is more normal.

The issue seems to be that the fish are in full-blown spawning mode with the full moon, and so fish have moved towards the banks.  And trolling has shifted even shallower from about 15 feet to 8-9 feet and the action has really dropped off. 

The good news is that if you want to cast a jig or minnow under a cork at shallow cover your timing couldn’t be better!

Even though some big blue catfish are being caught on Clarks Hill, Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that overall the fishing is still inconsistent. One day they will catch multiple 30 plus pound fish, and then the next day it can be a struggle to catch anything. 

Right now anchoring on main lake points and fan-casting baits from 10-30 feet of water is about the most consistent pattern during this inconsistent time. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the go-to baits. Give each spot about an hour before moving because the fish seem to be lethargic and it takes them a while to start moving around.

Hopefully the warming trend will stabilize things soon and fish will get into their normal early spring areas. The best theory is that rain we’ve had over the last three months is responsible for this year being very different from usual. 

March 2

Clarks Hill water levels are still at 328.69 (full pool is 330.00) and areas of the lake are heavily stained. Morning surface water temperatures have risen to around 60 degrees. 

Even though some big blue catfish are being caught on Clarks Hill, Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that overall the fishing in inconsistent. One day they will catch multiple 30 plus pound fish, and then the next day it can be a struggle to catch anything.  

Right now anchoring on main lake points and fan-casting baits from 10-30 feet of water is about the most consistent pattern during this inconsistent time. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the go-to baits. Give each spot about an hour before moving because the fish seem to be lethargic and it takes them a while to start moving around.

Hopefully the warming trend will stabilize things soon and fish will get into their normal early spring areas. The best theory is that rain we’ve had over the last three months is responsible for this year being very different from usual. 

February 24

Clarks Hill water levels are still at 328.47 (full pool is 330.00) and areas of the lake are heavily stained. Morning surface water temperatures have shot into the upper 50s. 

There’s been a lot of interest in Clarks Hill striped and hybrid bass fishing this week with a Striper Kings tournament coming to the lake, but Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that the fishing is pretty tough. Still, however, the fish are on pretty reliable patterns that are fairly predictable.

When the water is high and flowing, as it is and has been, Rocky says that the fish want to be on the main lake and not in the creeks. They move to the lower part of the lake in the big water where it is clearer and relate to the river channel.

How you catch them depends on what you are targeting, and for hybrids the best action is fishing 16-35 feet deep with down-lines. The fish are out over deep water in 70 or more feet, and they are over the trees. 

In contrast, to target striper you basically want to be pulling free-lines and planer boards. The fish are shallower, and herring or medium gizzard shad pulled across points and other main lake structure is the best bet. 

It’s a fantastic crappie bite right now on Clarks Hill, and Rocky reports that you really can’t go wrong in the backs of any of the creeks. The fish are way up the creeks in the mud, and long-line trolling with plain jigs 4 feet down in 16-20 feet of water is his preferred pattern. The fish are in pre-spawn mode, but soon they will be on the banks.

Yesterday they caught 40 slabs on a short trip, and tournament weights recently have been eye-popping. Clarks Hill may be as good as any lake anywhere for crappie right now. 

Conditions are still about the same with the catfish, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues but with everything spread out the fishing remains tough and you have to be very patient.

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat continues to have to sit on spots up to two hours or even more to get bites.

 February 23

Clarks Hill water levels are at 328.47 (full pool is 330.00) and areas of the lake have a lot of color. Morning surface water temperatures are up to the mid-50s and even higher.  

The last few times out tournament bass angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that he has started out looking for schooling activity in ditches in 5-15 feet of water, but the action has been sporadic. Quickly he has figured out that he needs to run shallow, dirty water in less than 5 feet to get bites, and when he has found bait the bass have been there. Perhaps because the fish have been on small bait he has had the best luck with a spinnerbait with double willow blades that simulate the size of the herring.

 

In addition to the dirty water drawing fish shallow, there is clearly also a wave of fish pushing shallow for the spawn. The next two to three weeks should be very good.

But it’s also true that not all the fish are in one place at one time, and Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that he is still on a group of spotted bass living in ditches on the lower lake.  Josh is catching them casting a swimbait on either a plain jighead or a fish head spin into about 30 feet of water off points, but the key seems to be sharp drops where the water goes from about 10 to 40 or more feet. The presence of some brush also helps. The fish are on the bottom but they will swim up to take the bait. 

While he has been targeting deep fish more, particularly after the cold front last weekend, Josh has heard some credible reports of occasional post-spawn fish being caught. It may be that a few fish went very early!

More to follow. 

February 15

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.18 (full pool is 330.00) and there is a strong mud line up the lake. Morning surface water temperatures are around 52 degrees. 

There has been some good early spring bass fishing on Clarks Hill, and Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that he has been fishing a mix of clear and dirty water.  Early in the morning in the deeper, main lake ditches on the lower lake the fish are grouped up and occasionally schooling, and Josh is catching them casting a swimbait on either a plain jighead or a fish head spin into about 30 feet of water off points. The fish are on the bottom but they will swim up to hit it. 

The other strong pattern has been fishing muddy water in the creeks and rivers around rock transitions. Fish are getting into that pre-spawn pattern where they are setting up on the first piece of cover leading into an eventual spawning area. He has caught fish on Chatterbaits, spinnerbaits and flipping a jig this way. 

 It’s a pretty simple pattern for catching hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that basically they are heading up the rivers and fishing just below the mudlines (which move from day to day). They are mainly catching hybrids this way, and the fish are suspended about 12 feet down over 30 or so feet of water on the main channel. Often they are related to humps. Down-lines have been working the best. 

The crappie fishing is different every day, but Rocky reports that when you find them they are usually staged up in the creeks preparing for the spawn but chasing bait. Generally they are suspended 8-12 or even 16 feet down, and they are suspended in around 30 feet. The best way to catch them has been trolling plain jigs. 

Catfish report to follow.

February 2

Clarks Hill water levels are slightly down to 329.59 (full pool is 330.00) and much of the lake is muddy although visibility is high by the dam. Morning surface water temperatures are around 51 degrees. 

The middle and upper ends of Clarks Hill are muddy pretty much everywhere, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that the hybrid and striped bass fishing has toughened up again. That’s not surprising when you are dealing with cold, muddy, flood conditions in the winter!

The fish are moving a lot and the last two trips they had a hard time really getting on them. They still caught over a dozen fish, but they seem to be running from creek to creek. Recently the fish moved in just a few days from the Georgia Little River to Parksville and back, then up the Savannah River and back down again as water conditions changed. The one fairly reliable factor has been that the fish are mostly about 25 feet down whether in 50 or 100 feet. Down-lines have been the best way to catch them. 

The crappie fishing has also dropped off, and numbers are way down from 30-50 fish to 10 or 12 on recent trips. The best action seems to be in the middle to upper lake, and they are catching them long-lining in the mouths of creeks to about halfway back about 12 feet down in 20-35 feet of water. Jigs are out-fishing minnows right now.

With high water levels tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that he found a better bass bite shallow this morning, and after several warm days he caught six or seven solid fish on a spinnerbait all the way in the backs of creeks in five feet or less. Sometimes they are holding to wood and sometimes they are just in the open areas. 

Conditions are still about the same with the catfish, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that another fresh round of muddy water has things even more scattered. The creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues but with everything spread out the fishing remains tough and you have to be very patient.

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat continues to have to sit on spots up to two hours or even more to get bites.

January 30

Clarks Hill water levels are basically full at 329.85 (full pool is 330.00) and much of the lake is muddy although visibility is high by the dam. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

He had been hoping to find a better schooling bite on Clarks Hill, but tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that from what he is seeing the bass aren’t schooling that well right now. He has caught a couple early on top in about 18 feet of water, but it seems like the cold nights have slowed that bite. 

The better action has been coming on the bottom in about 10-25 feet, with the fish grouped up around all different sizes of rock. Tyler has caught them on a Greenfish Creeper head with a green pumpkin speed craw as well as a Carolina rig with a 10-inch U-tail worm, again green pumpkin. 

There is also a decent bite running the banks with a Rattle Trap, and Tyler seems to be finding a little better quality that way. Numbers are on the deeper rock.  

January 26

Clarks Hill water levels are way up to 329.69 (full pool is 330.00) and much of the lake is muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

Despite some wild conditions with rising, muddy water, the hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill are biting well and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports fish are moving quickly from the bottom of the lake to the bottom of the cooler! The best pattern has been fishing for them with down-lines on the bottom 40 feet down off points on the main channel. While the Parksville and Modoc areas have been good recently, the fish are still moving a lot. 

The crappie pattern is the same but the bite is much slower, and Rocky reports that the rain and fronts have put off the fish. We need a couple of calmer days before the crappie will get back on a feeding pattern. 

The best concentrations of fish are up the rivers, and depending on water clarity they are usually 12-25 feet down with 15 feet an average depth range. It’s an extremely slow tightline bite, and you really have to suspend the bait in front of the fish to get them to bite. On LiveScope you can see them come up and look at the bait, and the bite is very slight. If you don’t react they will spit it out when they feel the tension. Minnows are working better than jigs.

Conditions are still about the same with the catfish, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that a fresh round of muddy water has things even more scattered. The creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues but with everything spread out the fishing remains tough and you have to be very patient.

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat continues to have to sit on spots up to two hours or even more to get bites.

With fast-rising, muddy water Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that the bass absolutely have to be holding tight to shallow cover, but with some much debris in the water and due to the constraints of the technology it can be very hard to see them for LiveScope guys. With the lake in full-blown flood stage it can be hard to get to the fish, but Josh prefers to fish steep banks right now where they just climb up a bit but can’t swim back into the woods.   

Another key is to find the least muddy water possible, and if you can find areas that are just stained then you have better odds flipping a jig or with a Chatterbait. Unless the lake has been muddy for a long time fish usually have not acclimated to it enough to start feeding well. 

Finally, in a totally different pattern on the lower end you may be able to go out to some of the deep guts and fish an underspin on the bottom in 60 feet for spots. 

January 20

Clarks Hill water levels are at 327.21 (full pool is 330.00) and down the Savannah River is dirty. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

The Corps is pulling a ton of water on Clarks Hill right now and creating a lot of movement, and with so much current the mud line is constantly on the move.  As a result the hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill are also on the go, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that you can’t get too comfortable fishing in any one area. Every few days they are in a different spot.

At the same time there are groups of fish scattered all over the lake, and some particularly good limits have been coming in the Parksville area. The best way to catch fish has been with down-lines targeting striper that are 45 feet down over deep water. 

The birds are providing some keys to finding the fish, and if you see sea gulls picking dead fish up off the surface you are in the right area. However, there are also times when gulls are just snatching bait out of loons’ mouths and there are few to no fish in the area. 

The crappie are also suspended over deep water, and Rocky reports that you can catch them in pockets off the main river.  Depending on water clarity they are usually 12-25 feet down, with 15 feet an average depth range. 

It’s an extremely slow bite, and you really have to suspend the bait in front of the fish to get them to bite. On LiveScope you can see them come up and look at the bait, and the bite is very slight. If you don’t react they will spit it out when they feel the tension. Minnows are working better than jigs.

While fish are all over the lake in the right type of water, the Parksville area has also been productive.  

Conditions are still about the same with the catfish, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues but with everything spread out the fishing remains tough and you have to be very patient.

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat continues to have to sit on spots up to two hours or even more to get bites.

Bass report to follow. 

January 13

Clarks Hill water levels are at 327.93 (full pool is 330.00) and the creek backs and up the lake are muddy while the lower lake is just stained. Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 50s. 

It’s a time of year when the hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill move around a lot, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that the combination of rising water levels and cooler temperatures have pushed them deeper. 

The biggest group of fish are now pretty far down the main river channels in about 100 feet of water, and they are generally about 45 feet deep. Down-lines are the best way to target them.

Still, don’t get stuck in one area and be aware that the combination of wind, rain, weather and water conditions will all move the fish around. 

The crappie bite continues to slow, and Rocky reports that the fish which were biting so well on brush a few weeks ago have now moved and gotten pretty inactive. Instead of catching 60 or 80 in a trip they are happy with 20 fish. Every January this happens, and when the temperature changes the fish pull off brush and get less active. 

Most of the fish are now suspended in deep water in the main creeks, and they are mostly 15-20 feet down in 30 feet of water. The best way to target them is with LiveScope, but slow-trolling can also be effective. Jigs tipped with minnows, plain minnows, and double minnow rigs will all work, but the key is to fish very slowly and barely move the bait. 

There’s not too much good news with the bass, but Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) reports that there is still schooling activity at times in the back sections of creeks. Even though the fish can be finicky they will often take a Buckeye Jigging Blade fished under them.   

There can also be a shallow crankbait bite in the muddy water, particularly around rock, while in clearer sections down the lake fish can still be caught around brush on jigs. 

Conditions are still about the same with the catfish, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues but with everything spread out the fishing remains tough and you have to be very patient.

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat continues to have to sit on spots up to two hours or even more to get bites.

January 6

Clarks Hill water levels are up to 328.15 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures have dropped to around 51 degrees. 

This week we are leading off with the catfish report, and fresh off the water yesterday Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that dramatically rising water levels are having significant effects on the fishing. The water has risen two feet in two days, and that has the baitfish as well as predators like catfish very scattered. The creeks runs are still loaded up with bait and big blues, but with everything spread out the fishing has gotten tougher and you have to be a lot more patient. 

The best pattern is still anchoring on points or humps near the creek channel in about 15-30 feet of water with cut gizzard shad, but Chris’ boat is now staying in spots for two plus hours to milk the bite. Yesterday in one spot they were rewarded with a small channel after just over an hour, a 12-pound blue about 30 minutes later, a 22-pounder ten minutes after that, and then twenty minutes later something giant stripped their line and then pulled free.  Don’t catfish right now if you mind waiting!

Overall it’s still pretty typical winter bass fishing right now on Clarks Hill, and tournament angler Tyler Matthews of Evans, Georgia reports that that fish are still pushing bait into the backs of creeks like they always do at this time of year. Particularly in the morning there is still good schooling activity in ditches in 8-20 feet, but at times the fish have been pretty finicky about biting. There is so much bait that it can be hard to get them to eat artificials like flukes, swimbaits or Gunfish. 

Guide Josh Rockefeller (706-513-6152) is also seeing schooling activity but at times a tricky bite, and it seems to him that up-and-down water levels may be responsible. He is still having the best success getting the schooling fish to bite by fishing under them with a Buckeye Jigging Blade.  At times they are very shallow.  

It’s still a tricky bite for hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill, and Captain Rocky Fulmer with Little River Guide Service (706-210-3474) reports that fish are still moving a great distance very quickly. One day you will find them in one area, and then the next day the school will have moved 5 or 6 miles overnight. You just have to keep moving until you find them, and right now you are looking for both bait and fish. Down-lines have typically been working the best but depths vary. 

Unfortunately the crappie are also on the move now, and Rocky reports that as predicted the very cold weather pulled them off the brush and caused them to suspend. They have mostly moved out of the creeks and followed the bait up rivers like the South Carolina Little River and the main channel of the Savannah. The best pattern is trolling 8-12 feet down over 20 feet of water.