January 21

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.44 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 51 degrees.

The hybrid and striped bass on Clarks Hill have settled into some pretty consistent patterns, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that right now they are finding the best fish way up the creeks. Nice 10-12 pound striper are being caught by the pumping station in Raysville, and they are coming shallow on free-lines and planer boards. About the only structure they are relating to is the actual creek channel.

There is also a decent bite for 3-4 pound hybrids in areas like Lloyds Creek, and they are catching them on the bottom in 28-30 feet of water. The action is right at daylight and to pinpoint the fish you need to look for the birds.

Similar to the striper, tournament bass angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that right now he is having the best luck catching fish by looking for areas where loons are feeding on bait. At times he will also see fish pushing bait up to the surface, but usually instead of looking for fish busting bait you will just see the bait flickering on the surface. 

Josh is looking for bait right now where there is a flat that has a ditch running beside it. He likes to cast a blade bait up onto the flat where fish will roll on it. This is generally a better pattern in clearer water, and he also find that it is best the first and last couple of hours each day. On cloudy days it can go all day.   

There is also a decent crankbait bite right now, but for that to produce Josh needs to find dirtier water. Basically anywhere with stained water and rock in 5 or less feet of water is good, and he is mainly throwing a square-bill.

It’s not a wide-open crappie bite, but William Sasser Guide Service reports that the fish they are catching are coming in the backs of creeks in about 35 feet of water. They are catching them 15-20 feet down over the tops of trees. Minnows are working the best. 

Up towards Raysville the action is still pretty good.

It continues to be an excellent time for big catfish on Clarks Hill, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that in particular the blue cat bite is in full swing. The best fishing is solidly in the creeks, where the most aggressive, hungry fish are following the baitfish which are stacked up in 25-35 feet of water. There are still fish out on the main lake, but they are more lethargic. 

Some creeks are clean enough that it’s possible to drift Santee-style in, while in other areas you have to anchor. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best baits right now. 

December 22

Clarks Hill water levels are at 326.85 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 56 degrees.

The bass fishing on Clarks Hill is pretty weather dependent right now, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that on cloudy, low pressure days the fish will get out and roam more. On sunny, high pressure days with bluebird skies they are holding tighter to cover and seem to be feeding less. 

On cloudy days he has had success recently shallow cranking, throwing a spinnerbait and casting an Alabama rig, particularly around rocky banks. Early and late and when there is cloud cover fish will also be shallow in the back of ditches that lead into pockets following the bait, and a Jigging Blade has been working well.   

On clear days when the sun is up the fish follow the bait and pull back out to the deeper parts of the ditches, and Josh has been finding them holding tight to old stumps or crappie brush. They are often in about 20 feet, and fishing vertically with a drop shot is a good way to target them.

Most of the Clarks Hill striped bass are still in the backs of ditches, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that the best fishing has been on the bottom in 30-35 feet of water. The fish could be on the edge of the channel or off secondary points. 

There are also some people starting to pull planer boards for scattered and suspended fish, but so far these have mostly been smaller fish and the numbers have been low. 

Fish are in the middle and upper part of the lake and the lower lake is essentially dead. 

The best numbers of crappie still seem to be on brush, and Captain Bradd Sasser reports he is still finding them 22-25 feet deep over trees in 32-33 feet of water.

Up towards Raysville the action has is still pretty good.

It continues to be an excellent time for catfish on Clarks Hill, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that in particular the blue cat bite is in full swing. While a few weeks ago the best action was divided between the main lake and the creeks, by now the best fishing is solidly in the creeks. The most aggressive, hungry fish have moved into the creeks where the baitfish are stacked in 25-35 feet of water and they are gorging. There are still fish out on the main lake, but they are more lethargic. 

Some creeks are clean enough that it’s possible to drift Santee-style in, while in other areas you have to anchor. Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best baits right now. 

December 16

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 326.71 (full pool is 330.00) and morning surface water temperatures are about 57-58 degrees.

The bass fishing on Clarks Hill is still largely about ditch fishing, but tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that there is also a pretty good bite shallow cranking and throwing a spinnerbait.  Rocky banks are the best place to fish this way.

In the ditches the pattern is about the same, but with more birds showing up look out for loons to find the best concentrations of bait. For the first hour and a half to couple of hours and the last hour and a half to couple of hours of the day the fish will get shallow in the back of pockets and school, even when it is cold. The herring moves shallow at these times and they can be caught on a Jigging Blade. 

When the sun is up the fish follow the bait and pull back out to the deeper parts of the ditches, where Josh has been finding them around wood such as old stumps or crappie brush. They are often in about 20 feet, and fishing vertically with a drop shot is a good way to target them. 

Most of the Clarks Hill striped bass are still in the backs of ditches, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that the best fishing has been on the bottom in 30-32 feet of water. The fish could be on the edge of the channel or off secondary points. Occasionally they will find some fish in the bottom in 50-52 feet in a ditch, but these are few and far between and usually difficult to get to bite.

There are also some people starting to pull planer boards for scattered and suspended fish, but so far these have mostly been smaller fish and the numbers have been low. 

Fish are in the middle and upper part of the lake and the lower lake is essentially dead. The Lloyds Creek/ Amity area has been especially good. 

The best numbers of crappie still seem to be on brush, and Captain Bradd Sasser reports he is still finding them 22-25 feet deep over trees in 32-33 feet of water.

Up towards Raysville the action has is still pretty good.

It continues to be an excellent time for catfish on Clarks Hill, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that in particular the blue cat bite is in full swing. The bait fish are balled up in pretty large groups in the 30-45 foot range, and anchoring on points that top out around or shallower than that depth range is one of the best methods. The baitfish are also starting to stack up in the feeder creeks, and some creeks are clean enough that it’s possible to drift Santee-style in and out of them in areas where big schools of bait are present.  Right now the most aggressive fish seem to be in the creeks. 

Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best baits right now. 

December 10

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 327.09 (full pool is 330.00) and water clarity varies.   The South Carolina Little River and Big Hart are muddy, while much of the lake is still relatively clear even after recent rains.  Morning surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees.

Most of the Clarks Hill striped bass are in the backs of ditches, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that the best fishing has been on the bottom in 30-32 feet of water. The fish could be on the edge of the channel or off secondary points. Occasionally they will find some fish in the bottom in 50-52 feet in a ditch, but these are few and far between and usually difficult to get to bite.

There are also some people starting to pull planer boards for scattered and suspended fish, but so far these have mostly been smaller fish and the numbers have been low. 

Fish are in the middle and upper part of the lake and the lower lake is essentially dead.  The Lloyds Creek/ Amity area has been especially good. 

The crappie fishing was a little tough yesterday, and even though Captain Bradd Sasser reports that they found a ton of fish on brush getting bigger ones over about ten inches was a challenge. The biggest numbers have been 22-25 feet deep over trees in 32-33 feet of water.

Up towards Raysville the action has mostly been pretty good.

There have also been some reports of fish caught shallow in dirty water in 6 feet or less, but Captain Bradd hasn’t seen that personally. 

December 2

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 328.28 (full pool is 330.00) and the water is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees.

For once the bass seem to be reading the same books as the fishermen, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that they are doing what they are supposed to be doing right now on Clarks Hill. The fish have moved into the ditches that they tend to get in during the late fall, and they can be caught both deep and shallow. For the first hour and a half to couple of hours and the last hour and a half to couple of hours of the day they will get shallow in the back of pockets and school, even when it is cold. The herring moves shallow at these times and they can be caught on a Jigging Blade. 

When the sun is up the fish follow the bait and pull back out to the deeper parts of the ditches, where Josh has been finding them around wood such as old stumps or crappie brush. They are often in about 20 feet, and fishing vertically with a drop shot is a good way to target them. 

Keep your eyes open for loons because they will give away where the bait is and the bass are feeding. 

It continues to be an excellent time for catfish on Clarks Hill, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that in particular the blue cat bite is in full swing. This year there is a huge crop of 14-18 pound fish. 

The bait fish are balled up in pretty large groups in the 30-45 foot range, and anchoring on points that top out around or shallower than that depth range is one of the best methods. The baitfish are also starting to stack up in the feeder creeks, and some creeks are clean enough that it’s possible to drift Santee-style in and out of them in areas where big schools of bait are present.

Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best baits right now. 

November 19

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 329.05 (full pool is 330.00) and the water is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 62-64 degrees.

More birds have showed up this week on Clarks Hill, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that at times you can find some little pods of striped bass chasing bait. Other than that there is no change at all with the striped bass this week, and fish are still pushed about halfway back in the creeks. As they continue their movement up the rivers and out the creek arms they are still biting very well in 30-35 feet of water off secondary points and at the edge of ditches. Down-lines are working well and they are catching most of their fish on the bottom, but fish are suspended from about 15 feet on down. 

Benefield Creek, Shriver and Soap Creek are all fishing well. 

There is still no early bite to speak of, and all over the lake the best action is running from about 7:15 on.    

While catching numbers of bass can be straight-forward on Clarks Hill, tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that pretty much everyone is struggling to get big ones this week. He is still finding the most active fish up the rivers throwing a spinnerbait or crankbait, but on very sunny days they will get extremely tight to cover or in holes between rocks and you basically have to hit them on the head. Flipping can be more effective at those times. Meanwhile, when it is cloudy and overcast fish will roam and feed. 

There is also still some decent schooling activity, but with water temperatures dropping it is moving more into the creeks and ditches and off the main lake. 

There are also some fish being caught on brush offshore. 

The crappie patterns are very stable, and Captain Bradd Sasser reports that he is still finding them 22-28 feet down over brush in 30-40 feet of water in the creeks. Minnows are still working best most of the time, but when the fish are less active jigs can be better for triggering reaction strikes. 

There are also some fish being caught long-line trolling, but the brush bite has been so good that Brad sees no reason to mess with it. 

This week the Mistletoe area, Raysville/ Amity, and Big Hart have all been very good.

It’s an excellent time for catfish on Clarks Hill, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that in particular the blue cat bite is in full swing. This year there is a huge crop of 14-18 pound fish. 

The bait fish are balled up in pretty large groups in the 30-45 foot range, and anchoring on points that top out around or shallower than that depth range is one of the best methods. The baitfish are also starting to stack up in the feeder creeks, and some creeks are clear enough that it’s possible to drift Santee-style in and out of them in areas where big schools of bait are present.

Cut gizzard shad and herring are the best baits right now. 

November 11

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 329.48 (full pool is 330.00) and the water is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 65 degrees.

It continues to be a very good striped bass bite on Clarks Hill, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that fish are pushed about halfway back in the creeks. As they continue their movement up the rivers and out the creek arms they are still biting very well in 30-35 feet of water off secondary points and at the edge of ditches. 

Down-lines are working well and they are catching most of their fish on the bottom, but they are suspended from about 15 feet on down. This morning the best action was in 31 feet on the bottom. 

Benefield Creek, Shriver and Soap Creek are all fishing well. 

There is still no early bite to speak of, and all over the lake the best action is running from about 7:15 on (with the time change).    

While tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that he is still finding the best bass heading up the river and throwing a spinnerbait, he is also finding that the fish which were schooling offshore seem to be heading into the creeks more. They are still schooling at times, and he is finding them in the back half of the creeks or at the mouths of ditches. Sometimes they are schooling over brush, particularly if you can find it at the front of a ditch. When fish are willing to eat on the surface a Pop-R is often the best bait, and flukes and swimbaits are also working well. In general downsizing is a good idea as the fish are on fairly small bait.

Buzzbaits are still generating some bites, too.

The only change with the crappie is that Captain Bradd Sasser reports they have slid a little deeper on Clarks Hill, and he is finding them 22-28 feet down over tree tops in 30-40 feet of water over brush piles in the creeks.  The Raysville/ Amity area has been fishing very well. 

Even though the patterns have still not changed much the catfish bite is really good as water temperatures have dropped, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that during the day they are catching fish in 20-40 feet of water around points and humps, while at night fish are in 5-20 feet. 

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.

November 4

Clarks Hill water levels are down to 329.81 (full pool is 330.00) and there is a little stain to the water as the lake is near the turnover. Morning surface water temperatures are about 67-68 degrees.

It’s a very good striped bass bite on Clarks Hill, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that as fish continue their movement up the rivers and out in the creek arms they are biting very well in 30-35 feet of water off secondary points and at the edge of ditches. Down-lines are working well and they are catching most of their fish on the bottom, but they are suspended from about 15 feet on down.  On the upper end Soap Creek is fishing very well and out the Georgia Little River Lloyds Creek is good. 

The only downside is that there is no early bite to speak of, and all over the lake the best action is running from about 8-11.  

Numbers of bass caught are picking up again on Clarks Hill, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that there is still a pretty good bite for schooling fish which should last through late November. However, the fish seem to be getting a bit more target-oriented and they are more likely to relate to humps or a brush pile than just to be roaming right now. More of the schooling is also starting to take place in the creeks. While the cold snap should set it back for a few days temperatures look to rebound very soon.   

There is also a pretty good buzzbait bite early in the creeks, but Josh has not been able to find much size that way.  Instead he is heading up the rivers and fishing a spinnerbait around steep banks with rock or wood cover. He is getting a ton of bites this way and finding that fish are right on the banks. 

For the past three days Captain Bradd Sasser has found that the crappie have gone deeper on Clarks Hill, and he is finding them 20-23 feet down over tree tops in 30-40 feet of water. Brush piles in the creeks are fishing the best and Lloyds Creek has been very good recently. 

Even though the patterns have not changed much the catfish bite has gotten really good as water temperatures have dropped, and Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that during the day they are catching fish in 20-40 feet of water around points and humps, while at night fish are in 5-20 feet. 

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.

October 20

After reaching several feet above full Clarks Hill water levels are down to “only” 330.57 (full pool is 330.00), and even though there is still a lot of floating debris the lake is settling out. Morning surface water temperatures are about 74-75 degrees.

The striped bass fishing on Clarks Hill has picked up, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that the fish are on the move and running the channels as they head up the lake and out the Georgia Little River arms. By his estimation most of the fish have moved about halfway up and out.  

There is not really an early morning bite to speak of, but between 8 and 9:30 in the morning there is schooling most days. You can also catch fish on down-lines about 10-30 feet deep. 

Not a lot of big fish are showing up right now, but they are catching a ton of smaller striper up to about 10 pounds and a lot of hybrids. 

It’s a little bit of a down period for bass on Clarks Hill, but tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that by the end of October when the lake has hopefully settled back out from the rains and fall turnover the fishing should have improved. 

For right now about the best thing going is still chasing schooling fish on the main lake, but you can also have some success with a buzzbait fished around the banks. There are also some signs that a square-billed crankbait or small swimbait is about to start to work in the creeks, but so far those bites are still few and far between.

The crappie fishing has definitely started to pick up on Clarks Hill, and Captain Bradd Sasser reports they are getting good numbers of fish 18-20 feet down over brush in about 30-31 feet of water in the creeks.  A lot of 10-11 inch fish are being caught fishing vertically, but there are also some better ones mixed in.

The South Carolina Little River continues to fish well and all you need are minnows. 

Between the rain and fall turnover the catfish bite is a little erratic, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that it’s already starting to pick up as water temperatures continue to cool.  During the day fish are in 20-40 feet of water around points and humps, but at night they will be in 5-20 feet. For now the night bite is still much better than daytime fishing.

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.

September 29

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.25 (full pool is 330.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 77-78 degrees. 

The striped bass fishing on Clarks Hill is slow but steady, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that fish remain in a transition period. You will mark a ton of them but anglers pretty much have to force-feed them to get them to open their mouths. The bait is high in the water column and so any day now they expect schooling activity to bust right open, but except for some vauge reports there are no indications that has happened yet.  

Fish are still running the main channel in 100 feet of water, and groups of fish will come by 20-30 feet down. Fishing down-lines and trolling umbrella rigs are both working about the same – you just have to wait them out.   

Unfortunately the schooling activity for largemouth and spotted bass has slowed down, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that even though there are still occasional fish schooling over main lake points and humps they have gotten tougher to catch. And while you can catch fish around cane piles, they are smaller than their cousins in the same spots on Lake Murray.

The water level has been so high that much of the maiden cane and grass is dead, meaning that it’s harder to fish a frog around cover right now. Throwing a buzzbait around the banks is about as good as anything. 

It’s a not a wide-open fall bite for crappie yet on Clarks Hill, but Captain Bradd Sasser reports that he has found pretty good numbers of big crappie about 15-16 feet down over brush in about 24 feet of water. The South Carolina Little River continues to fish well and all you need are minnows. 

There’s still not a lot of change with the catfish patterns, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the fishing is still getting better as the water cools. During the day fish are in 20-40 feet of water around points and humps, but at night they will be in 5-20 feet. The night bite is significantly better than the daytime bite right now.  

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.

September 17

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.75 (full pool is 330.00) and the lake is still pretty clear despite all the rain yesterday. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 80 degrees. 

Despite still-hot water temperatures things appear to be happening earlier than usual this year, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that striped bass are making a strong migration up the lake, out the river arms, and particularly into the Georgia Little River. There is no early action to speak of, it’s not a fast bite, but nonetheless they are catching some good ones.

Fish are running the main channel in 100 feet of water, and groups of fish will come by 20-30 feet down. They seem more interested in moving than binge feeding, and when they clean them there’s not much in their stomachs. Fishing down-lines and trolling umbrella rigs are both working about the same. 

Captain Bradd Sasser does note there are reports of striper schooling below the Russell Dam but he hasn’t been up there. 

While the striper aren’t intent on feeding, Captain Bradd reports that the largemouth and spotted bass are voracious right now! While his guide boat is not specifically targeting them, they are seeing them schooling all over the lake and slapping herring out of the water. While some are deeper lots of the fish are as shallow as 8-10 feet of water following bait pods, and with the bait still pretty spread out the bass are also highly scattered. They seem willing to take about any topwater lure you throw at them. 

Captain Bradd has run several trips for crappie lately and he reports that catching numbers is a little tricky, but they are getting some good ones. Fish are on brush way up the South Carolina Little River, and he is finding them 15 feet down in 23-27 feet of water. Minnows are working well. 

There’s not a lot of change with the catfish patterns, but Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that the fishing is still getting better as the water cools. During the day fish are in 20-40 feet of water around points and humps, but at night they will be in 5-20 feet. The night bite is significantly better than the daytime bite right now.  

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.

September 2

Clarks Hill water levels are at 329.98 (full pool is 330.00) and the lake is pretty clear despite some rain Tuesday. Morning surface water temperatures are about 86 degrees. 

It’s a still a very good, very early bite for hybrid bass on Clarks Hill, and William Sasser Guide Service (706-589-5468) reports that from before dawn until about 7:15 fish are still feeding over points and humps along the main channel on the bottom in 25-35 feet of water.  There have even caught some fish as shallow as 15 feet first thing. 

After that the bite frankly gets really tough, although hybrids and striped bass are starting to scatter out in the same general area and suspend 30-35 feet down in 35-60 feet of water. 

There are also some fish being caught around the oxygen line 20-40 feet down in 80-100 feet of water.

The fish are still mostly grouped up on the lower end, but the very early stages of moving up are starting to happen. 

It’s a pretty tough period for bass fishing on Clarks Hill, and tournament angler Josh Rockefeller of Augusta reports that he has caught a few fish on buzzbaits around the bank and had plenty of bites – but for some reason they seem to be slapping at it more than eating it. And while there are still plenty of fish that can be marked over offshore humps, getting them to bite can be tricky. 

From what Josh has seen fish are starting to move towards the backs more, and he has seen lots of fish schooling over the creek channel. They can be hard to get to bite, especially since they seem to be on very small bait. 

He has found a few bridges loaded up with two pounders that are easy to catch on a very small popper. 

Back after the crappie again, Captain Bradd Sasser reports that the fishing is not wide open but if you are willing to work for them you can catch some really big summer fish right now. They are apparently lethargic because of the heat, but in the Amity area he found them bunched up on brush 15-16 feet down in 25-27 feet of water. Minnows are working the best. When temperatures cool fish should feed more.

On the catfish front, Captain Chris Simpson (864-992-2352) reports that there is not a lot of change in tactics but the fishing is progressively getting better as the water just begins to cool. The cooling is the result of gradually longer nights, not necessarily lower daytime temperatures. 

The 1-12 pound blues and channels are biting pretty well on the points and humps. During the day fish are in 20-40 feet of water, but at night they will be in 5-20. 

Cut herring, dip baits and shrimp are the best baits for catching numbers of smaller fish, but if you want to improve your chances of catching a larger flathead or blue then fish live bream in the same areas.