April 10
Lake Hartwell water levels have shot up to 661.05 (full pool is 660.00) and muddied the backs of creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are around 66 in the larger rivers.
As expected the cold front slowed down the hybrid and striped bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, but Captain Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that it seems to just be a temporary blip and fish were already feeding better by this morning. They just had to work a little for them.
The fish are still mostly up all the major creeks and rivers in a false spawn. Early in the morning in some areas they are shallow in 3-8 feet of water off points where they can be caught with down lines cast out on the bottom or free lines pitched into shallow water, while in other areas they are in 10 out to a maximum of 14 feet. As the sun moves up they will pull out into 15-25 feet of water. Most of the fish will be grouped up on the bottom, and even though they can be caught on shallow down-lines free-lines are often more productive.
The cold snap dramatically changed the crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that all the fish he was catching on brush scattered and ran up under docks and back into a winter pattern. Today they had to work hard to catch 27 fish, and they caught everything vertical fishing 10-12 feet down over 20-foot docks. One dock had a school of over 1000 fish on it, but they could only coax 4 into biting! The fish wouldn’t take minnows and only wanted black and chartreuse jigs.
In a few days fish should start to get back on brush, and there should still be a few pre-spawn fish. However, Rodney thinks most of the fish are now post-spawn.
About a week ago the herring spawn started on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Brad Fowler reports that this weekend’s weather mostly stalled it out. Drastically rising water levels may affect things going forward, but as temperatures warm the herring should start doing their thing again and anglers should again be able to catch bass around them on topwater lures.
While there are still a few bass on beds, from what Brad sees it looks like more of particularly the better fish spawned earlier this year.
Of course, there are also spots as deep as 40 feet around points, brush, and timber that can be caught on shaky heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot. With the spotted bass population on Hartwell, and the fact that they don’t all spawn at once, this is pretty much a 12-month a year pattern on Hartwell now.
The crazy weather this week slowed down the catfish bite, and Captain Bill reports that he really had to work for big blues. Each day he targeted them he had just one or two big bites.
At the same time the channel catfish are really starting to move around better, and you can now catch them just moving around the banks on cut herring, worms, chicken liver or about anything else.
March 30
Lake Hartwell water levels are jumping around full pool, currently at 659.87 (full pool is 660.00) and morning surface water temperatures range from about 61-64.
Almost overnight the hybrid and striped bass fishing is on fire on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that while there are still a few at the dam most of the of them have gone up all the major creeks and rivers in a false spawn. Early in the morning they are shallow in 3-8 feet of water off points where they can be caught with down lines cast out on the bottom or free lines pitched into shallow water, but as the sun moves up they will pull out into 15-25 feet of water. Most of the fish will be grouped up on the bottom, and even though they can be caught on shallow down-lines free-lines are often more productive.
It’s once again a hot bite for crappie on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that the fish are now about two feet down over brush in 10 feet in the middle of the creek. He is catching them casting a jig or minnow under a bobber.
While he is not finding a lot of crappie up against the bank, from what he is seeing they are all pretty shallow and high in the water column.
The fish he is catching are a mix of pre- and post-spawn fish, and he also notes that some fish spawn on brush away from the bank.
It’s a hot bass bite on Lake Hartwell right now, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that it has been taking some impressive weights to win tournaments recently. Certainly a number of fish are in spawning pockets and will be bedding on this April full moon, as they have been for a week or two now. There are also a good number of fish staging in 10-20 feet of water that can be caught on a jerkbait, shaky head or Su-Spin blade.
Of course, there are also fish as deep as 40 feet around points, brush, and timber that can be caught on shaky heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot. Even though they spent most of their time shallow, Brad still weighed one fish from 40 feet in their last tournament. With the spotted bass population on Hartwell, and the fact that they don’t all spawn at once, this is pretty much a 12-month a year pattern on Hartwell now.
The catfish bite continues to improve, and Captain Bill reports that the best part is that the fish have slid up into 25 feet of water in the creeks where there is generally a clean bottom that is easier to fish. The last time out he caught a 31-, 23- and 15-pound blue on cut bait.
The channel catfish are also starting to bite on the sunny side on red worms, and soon the flatheads should turn on.
March 16
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 659.59 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is overall good but there is still some color in the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures were up to 62 but after a series of freezing nights have plummeted back into the mid-50s.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing slowed a little with the recent cold front, but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that more fish are moving up the rivers now. The best bite is coming on free-lines in 18-25 feet of water, and even though fish are near the bottom they will come up to take baits. Generally fish are cruising the river channel but some are related to points.
In the late afternoon the fish are getting in the 5-8 foot range off wind-blown red clay points. They will take swimbaits and other artificials.
Once the cold fronts pass the fishing should pick up again.
The cold front has slowed down the crappie fishing on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) reports that they have generally pulled back from the shallower brush where they were holding. Now he is having the best luck on brush in 15-20 feet of water, casting jigs at the top of the brush where the fish are suspended about 7-8 feet down. There could still be a few fish on shallower stuff but once the weather warms again numbers will improve.
The cold front has also stopped the bass from continuing to push shallower, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that some fish have paused their progression to the banks and others have actually moved deeper. They are not more likely to be in staging locations that spawning areas, or in late winter spots. The best pattern is probably to look for fish that are feeding on bait in dirtier water in the creeks with a crankbait or a spinnerbait.
More fish have also have moved out to 20-40 feet of water where they can be caught on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber.
March 8
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 659.41 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is overall good but there is still some color in the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are around 58-60 degrees.
The full moon has really messed up the crappie bite on Lake Hartwell, but even on “slow” days Guide Rodney Donald (864-356-0143) is managing to put about 30 fish in the boat. The fish are setting up in the backs of creek runs on brush in 8-10 feet of water, but it can be tricky to get them to eat. They don’t seem very interesting in jigs or minnows.
Some fish may have spawned already, but most still have to go.
The hybrid and striped bass fishing is coming on, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that fish are in the rivers and creeks but have not moved up a lot more. However, it could be an earlier move than usual and when water temperatures get into the 60s in the morning then large numbers of fish will move way up the rivers almost overnight.
For now the best pattern is fishing shallower on points in 8-10 feet of water early, when you can fish with free lines and planer boards or even pull up on the bank and cast live bait. Chip is putting the power poles back on his boat right now!
Then during the day fish are getting on the bottom in 25-30 feet off main points in the creeks, where they can be targeted with down-lines.
In the late afternoon the fish are returning to the 8-10 foot range, and while they will be on certain sun-drenched banks for most people running points is the best pattern. In addition to live bait casting swimbaits can work very well. This bite has been good recently, especially when there has been some wind – which has consistently been helping the fishing all the time.
In bass news, Guide Brad Fowler reports that unlike on Keowee he has not yet seen any bass on beds, but it should be happening any day. The best pattern recently has been fishing a spinnerbait in colored water where the fish have moved up. There have also been some reports of fish schooling on shallow herring in the backs of creeks.
Overall, Brad suggests targeting spawning pockets or very close to them as most of the largemouth are on the banks. In clear water fish a swimbait, fluke, or floating worm, while in dirty water you can use a spinnerbait or Chatterbait.
Of course, you can also still catch spotted bass in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber. With the spotted bass population on Hartwell, and the fact that they don’t all spawn at once, this is pretty much a 12-month a year pattern on Hartwell now.
The catfish bite has picked up substantially this week, and Captain Bill reports that in 40-45 feet of water he has been consistently catching blues in the 20-30 pound rage. With the full moon it’s mostly a mid-day bite since the fish are presumably feeding heavily at night.
They are also starting to pick up some channel catfish (and shellcracker) fishing worms over sandy bottoms in 10-12 feet.
February 24
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 658.20 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is overall good but there is still some color in the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are around 53-55 degrees.
With water temperatures in the 50s the crappie are really moving around on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Rodney Donald(864-356-0143) reports that the fish are starting to get on shallow brush. You can still catch them in 20 feet, or 10-15 feet, but right now the biggest white and black crappie are mixed together on brush sitting in 8-10 feet of water. In general they are only a couple of feet below the surface.
While there are other ways to target them, Rodney is exclusively single-pole fishing. He marks the fish on side scan, then looks at them with LiveScope, and casts. His boat is mostly fishing jigs, but you can also cast a minnow just under a bobber to the fish. His staple jig with a black head and a chartreuse body is working well.
While it will still extend into April, with the very warm weather Rodney will not be surprised if the spawn starts in February this year. There are some big black crappie full of eggs that are already trying to spawn.
On the bass front, Guide Brad Fowler reports that right now he is pretty much exclusively targeting shallow water, as with the temperatures fish will only be headed one direction. However, he will not be looking in the backs yet as the best concentrations of fish are on transition spots headed into creeks and long coves like 450-degree banks, rocks and points. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are his go-to baits.
Of course, you can also still catch spotted bass in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber. With the spotted bass population on Hartwell, and the fact that they don’t all spawn at once, this is pretty much a 12-month a year pattern on Hartwell now.
February 23
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 658.11 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is overall good. Morning surface water temperatures are around 53-55 degrees.
It’s a still often a better bite for spotted bass than hybrid and striped bass, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that on the last trip out they caught 22 spots, 7 big perch, and 2 striper. However, there are other days when the hybrids and striper are more cooperative.
All the fish they are finding are still on the bottom in 32-36 feet of water on long tapering points just off the channels, and they can be found up to half-way back in both in the creeks and rivers now that the creeks have cleared again. Some of the bait is further back in the creeks, but for now the fish have not really followed them.
Dropping baits down to the bottom and then reeling them up about two feet is the best way to target these fish.
Perhaps the best pattern right now is an afternoon bite on warm days. Fish will move up from 35 feet onto sharp (not long tapering) red clay points and feed in 6-10 feet of water. Cast swimbaits to the banks and the fish will be on the bottom feeding upwards.
The one drawback is that it means fish aren’t as aggressive in the mornings, which may be what we are seeing right now.
The catfish bite has been brutally slow, and Captain Bill reports that the fish don’t seem to like these dramatic swings in temperature. He is still targeting fish in 30-50 feet of water in open areas right off the old river channel that don’t have timber, but the fish aren’t feeding well.
More bass news to follow.
February 15
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 657.75 (full pool is 660.00) and clarity is overall good. Morning surface water temperatures are mostly in the low 50s.
It’s a good sign for the spring that water temperatures are basically staying in the 50s on Lake Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that when water temperatures do fall into the 40s the hybrid and striped bass generally get very lethargic. As long as water temperatures stay in the 50-53 degree range the fishing will stay fair, and it will be an easy transition to wide open when temperatures hit 55-57.
Overall the bite is not on fire, and one day they will catch 8-10 fish but then another they will struggle to get a handful. Fish are still mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water on long tapering points, and they can be found mid-way back in both in the creeks and rivers now that the creeks have cleared again.
Perhaps the best pattern right now is an afternoon bite on warm days. Fish will move up from 35 feet onto sharp (not long tapering) red clay points and feed in 6-10 feet of water. Cast swimbaits to the banks and the fish will be on the bottom feeding upwards.
The one drawback is that it means fish aren’t as aggressive in the mornings.
From what Captain Bill Plumley is seeing there are still a lot of fish holding deep, and he is catching perch, spotted bassand crappie in 40 feet of water on the bottom. The fish are in clean areas on the edge of the channel.
The catfish bite has been a little slow, but Captain Bill is still targeting fish in 30-50 feet of water. He is fishing open areas right off the old river channel that don’t have timber, either because they were pastureland or some other reason. The best bait has been spotted bass or crappie heads, out-fishing all other cut bait!
More bass news to follow.
February 2
Lake Hartwell water levels are down to 657.23 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is stained in areas. Morning surface water temperatures are around 49-51 degrees.
In a switch-back to the report from several weeks ago, Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that as the creeks on Hartwell have cleared up again the hybrid and striped bass are moving into them again and the bite is picking up. Fish are still mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water on long tapering points, and they can be found both in the creeks and river.
On warm afternoons there has sometimes been a good bite casting swimbaits in areas that have warmed.
It’s still pretty tough bass fishing conditions on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Brad Fowler reports that as the lake is clearing – even though there are still more dirty areas than usual – the fishing is picking up a bit. The best shallow pattern right now is to concentrate on stained water in areas that have warmed up. Avoid flat areas and look for shallow water relatively near deep water, with crankbaits and spinnerbaits both good options.
You can also still catch spotted bass in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber.
There has been some improvement with the catfish bite on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that even though he isn’t catching a ton of fish he has caught some nice 30-pound range blues anchoring in deep water. He is fishing open areas right off the old river channel that don’t have timber, either because they were pastureland or some other reason. The last two big ones came in 36 and 47 feet. The best bait has been spotted bass heads, out-fishing all other cut bait!
And those spotted bass have come fishing medium minnows on the bottom in a creek in the 30-40 foot range. The fish aren’t related to anything besides bait, and so Bill is just marking bait and fish and then dropping down. He has also picked up plenty of perch and the occasional hybrid this way.
January 26
Lake Hartwell water levels are up to 658.02 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is once again getting muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 50-51 degrees.
In a reverse of last week’s report, Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that as the creeks on Hartwell go from clear back to muddy after a downpour yesterday the hybrid and striped bass are moving out of them again. Fish are still mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water on long tapering points, but they are sticking to the main rivers and generally cleaner areas again. Coneross has been a good area. When conditions improve again fish should once again be willing to return to the creeks.
Prior to the fresh mud the fishing was picking up, and casting and reeling sinking swimbaits around the fish had been really working. Jigging spoons have been even better because you can stay right on top of the fish.
Another round of mud will make for some pretty tough bass fishing on Lake Hartwell, but Guide Brad Fowler reports that luckily the lake defaults to clear so there are still plenty of areas where you can find relatively clear or just stained water. The best shallow pattern right now is to concentrate on dirty but not muddy shallows in areas that have warmed up. Still look for shallow water relatively near deep water, with crankbaits and spinnerbaits both good options.
You can also still catch spotted bass in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber.
In tough fishing conditions Captain Bill Plumley reports that the catfish bite is still very slow.
January 20
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 657.20 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is clearing. Morning surface water temperatures are around 49-51 degrees.
As the majority of the creeks on Lake Hartwell have gone from muddy to merely stained fish are moving back into them, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that hybrid and striped bass fishing on Hartwell is getting back to more normal for this time of year. Fish are mostly on the bottom in 35-40 feet of water on long tapering points, and most of the creeks are again holding fish. 26-Mile Creek has been good, as has been Lightwood Log – which holds fish year round. Areas where smaller feeder creeks enter have been particularly good.
In addition to down-lines, fish have been hitting jigging spoons pretty well.
Most days hybrids and stripers will cooperate, but there are some random days when the catch is mainly spotted bass.
Speaking of spots, Captain Bill Plumley reports that on the bottom in about 30-32 feet of water he has been able to catch a mixed bag including spotted bass, largemouth and white perch. The fish are back in the creeks in areas which have cleared a little and they will take minnows or jigging spoons.
Unfortunately the catfish bite is very slow, and Bill has only picked up one 12-pound fish recently drifting in about 40 feet. He suspects that record cold and then hot weather has screwed up the bite.
Bass report to follow.
January 12
Lake Hartwell water levels are at 657.51 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is extremely muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 49-51 degrees.
A month or so ago there was a decent amount of rain but Lake Harwell barely got stained, but Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) reports that this most recent round of rain was a whole different ball game. By now some of the creeks they like to fish are the color of chocolate milk, and even the main lake has color in areas that almost never get dirty. Muddy water conditions are now the main challenge for hybrid and striped bass fishing on Hartwell, and as much as anything else it is driving where the fish are.
Muddy water has basically pushed the fish out of the creek runs, but even though they should be joining the river fish it hasn’t clearly concentrated everything and certainly has not improved the bite. They are catching a few fish but they aren’t in huge groups, and fish are not concentrated along the mud lines as much as expected.
Overall the best pattern for catching numbers of fish has been fishing down-lines on the bottom around 40 feet deep, usually in a range of about 36-42 feet. Long tapering points and ridges are still the best areas, but now only in the rivers and not creeks.
However, as could be seen in the Striped Bass Challenge this weekend if you are looking for a big bite then pulling large baits on planer boards was the best pattern. In the warmest part of the days some fish will pull up into 15-18 feet of water. The biggest fish also seemed to be caught in creeks near the mud lines.
As water conditions settle down fish should go back into the creeks and patterns will normalize.
The muddy conditions have Hartwell bass stuck in similar patterns, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that he still advises concentrating on the shallows in areas that have warmed up. The bass will be found shallow in dirty areas in the creeks and coves off the main lake where they will take crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Still look for shallow water relatively near deep water.
As things clear up consistent catches should again come in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber.
Cold, muddy water conditions are not making for a hot catfish bite on Lake Hartwell, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that he is having to put in a lot of time to catch only a few fish. The creeks are so muddy that he has been sticking to the main lake, but even there the bite has been slow. The best action he has found has been in about 39 feet of water where he has managed some teenage-sized blues.
No type of cut bait is outfishing anything else.
Channels and flatheads both really slow down in the cold weather.
Crappie fishing has also been slow.
January 5
Lake Hartwell water levels have shot up more than a foot in 24 hours to 657.37 (full pool is 660.00) and the lake is now heavily stained in many areas. Morning surface water temperatures are around 51 degrees.
After some intense rain Lake Hartwell is now muddy in places that never get muddy, and Guide Brad Fowler reports that is opening up some new patterns. With all the colored water and sunny if not terribly warm weather the shallows are heating up and providing some good feeding opportunities. The bass will be found shallow in dirty areas in the creeks and coves off the main lake where they will take crankbaits and spinnerbaits. Still look for shallow water relatively near deep water.
Before the rain the most consistent catches were still coming out in 20-50 feet of water on shakey heads, jigs, spoons and a drop shot around points, brush, and timber.
It’s still a pretty steady pattern for hybrid and striped bass on Hartwell, and Guide Chip Hamilton (864-304-9011) that they are still fishing in the middle sections of creeks and rivers on the bottom off long tapering points and ridges in 35-45 feet of water. In fact, everything he has caught recently has been in 38-42 feet of water on the bottom on ridges near a creek channel. The fish are only taking down-rods.
It's still not an early bite, and the fish usually don’t start to bite well before about 9 or 10.
Catfish report to follow.