January 3
Lake Russell water levels have fallen fast to 474.24 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear but the backs are a little stained. Morning surface water temperatures on the main lake yesterday were 53 degrees.
Yesterday evening Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) unintentionally reminded the author that there is no other lake in South Carolina like Lake Russell, as he reports that he had an “average” day striped bass fishing. His client caught five fish, with the smallest 8 pounds and the largest two both weighing in at 20 pounds. Jerry thinks the bite was “slow” because conditions were sunny and still! There’s no other lake around here that we know of where this would be anything but a banner day – unless you are only interested in numbers!
The pattern for catching the striper is pretty easy to describe even if difficult, and Jerry says that he is riding around in deep water with timber looking for fish. But the real key is looking for small holes in the timber where you can actually target them, because otherwise they are just swimming through the trees and virtually impossible to catch. Jerry says that’s like trying to shoot deer running through the woods with a .30-06!
When you find an opening then you can drop live bait down 30-40 feet to the fish that are generally holding 30-60 feet down in deeper water. Occasionally there are also fish running ten or so feet below the surface that you can target with an Alabama rig, and Jerry says the birds have been pretty useless lately.
Yesterday they were around some black bass in the same areas as the striper but they were not cooperative, although they did manage to catch some bass and white perch on the bottom in 62-63 feet. These came on a drop shot rig and jigging spoons.
Lest one thinks these are all just fish stories, here’s one of yesterday’s 20 pounders!
January 2
Lake Russell water levels are at 475.22 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are about 52-54 degrees.
The best fishing days right now seem to correlate with the strongest bird activity, and Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that in general the birds are far more active on cloudy, sometimes windy days. But their last couple of trips have been on sunny, bluebird clear days when the gulls aren’t diving. They have either been sitting on the water or following loons.
Perhaps because of that Wendell describes the bite recently as good but not great, and he reports that the best action they have found has been on the main lake around bait schools holding close to the bottom in about 55 feet. Spotted bass and yellow perch have been loaded up in these areas, and they are catching them mostly on minnows although spoons will also work.
More to follow.
December 19
Lake Russell water levels are at 474.21 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear although there may be some residual stain in the backs from last week’s rain. Morning surface water temperatures are about 55-58 degrees.
An angler who has been reading his reports in past winters might predict this, and it’s no surprise to us that Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that as the weather warmed up the winter black bass fishing has gotten tougher. The cold weather groups the spots up near the bottom on Russell in the winter, and a warming trend always seems to scatter them. The fish they are catching are still coming on drop shot rigs and jigging spoons in 20-30 feet of water around standing timber in the creeks and the main lake, but there just aren’t as many fish there. And it’s hard to tell exactly where they have gone, but Jerry’s best guess is they have suspended.
As temperatures drop the fish will eventually head to 50-60 feet around bait on flats, channel swings, drops, and anywhere else that bait congregates. But right now the bait is suspended.
It also seems to be a truism on Lake Russell that colder weather is better for striped bass, and while Jerry’s boat is still marking fish they aren’t biting – minus one 15-pounder this week. This coming cold snap could be the ticket, however.
Taking a different tack, Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that right now they are basically following birds to locate fish. Fish, including a mixed bag of spotted bass, yellow perch, occasional largemouth, catfish, and more are in 20-60 feet of water pretty much anywhere that you can find gulls diving – from the creeks to the main lake. From there it’s as simple as dropping minnows or jigging spoons.
Next week there will be no new fishing reports with the Christmas holiday, but regular reports will resume after the New Year.
December 12
Lake Russell water levels are at 475.34 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake was clear before the rain. Morning surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees.
As always at this time of year the presence of birds can make for some exciting fishing conditions, and Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that their last trip out they followed a bunch of sea gulls on the lower end and found a pretty fantastic bite. The birds were diving in about 36 feet, and even though there weren’t fish busting the surface, underneath them was loaded up with big yellow perch and black bass. They never saw a striper but caught all the perch and spots they could handle on jigging spoons and medium minnows just off the bottom.
Interestingly, even when they located more schools of bait and fish if they got away from the gulls they would not bite.
Wind and rain has limited his trips this week, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that it’s still a very consistent bass bite on drop shot rigs and jigging spoons in 20-30 feet of water around standing timber in the creeks and the main lake.
While Jerry has only caught rare striper in his last few trips, he is marking them in the same areas where he is fishing for bass about 20 feet down. He expects them to turn on when it gets colder.
No one we know is pursuing crappie right now.
Finally, remember that on December 14 the 2nd Annual Jacob Lewis Benefit Bass Tournament will take place on Lake Russell out of the Highway 72 Boat Ramp. First place is $2000 and there is a $500 big fish prize. For more information visit: www.beechsprings.org/events.
December 4
Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.9 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 59 degrees.
Even though it hasn’t gotten super cold on Lake Russell, Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the fish have really turned on. From talking to guides around South Carolina, Lake Russell may be the hottest place to catch numbers of black bass right now.
Yesterday Jerry caught over 100 fish fishing by himself, with most of those spotted bass but also some yellow perch, white perch, catfish, and a lone striped bass. He caught everything on drop shot rigs and jigging spoons in 20-30 feet of water around standing timber in the creeks and the main lake. Most of the fish were on the bottom.
It’s a similar report from Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), who advises that the winter bite has finally kicked in. Slightly deeper in 30-35 feet they are jigging spoons and fishing medium minnows for yellow perch and spotted bass. They are mainly fishing in the front of creeks towards the mouths, but the real key seems to be finding schools of bait along the edges of the timber. The bait has been holding on flat areas.
While Jerry has only caught rare striper in his last few trips, he is marking them in the same areas where he is fishing for bass about 20 feet down. He expects them to turn on when it gets colder.
Birds have arrived, but for right now they only seem to be feeding around loons.
Finally, remember that on December 14 the 2nd Annual Jacob Lewis Benefit Bass Tournament will take place on Lake Russell out of the Highway 72 Boat Ramp. First place is $2000 and there is a $500 big fish prize. For more information visit: www.beechsprings.org/events.
November 20
Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.93 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 67-68 degrees.
While they still aren’t catching many striped bass on Lake Russell, Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that they are certainly marking more. He saw a good school in the mid-lake area about 15 feet below the surface over deeper water, but he didn’t have live herring and they showed no interest in artificials.
This could change any day, but for now there aren’t birds diving on striper and bait and the only thing schooling has been gar! Most of the time the striper are still pretty hard to locate.
But the black bass fishing is still good, and in 20-25 feet of water they are finding them in both the creeks and the main lake on structure including wood, brush and trees. Some of the fish are suspended and some are on the bottom, but they seem to be concentrated at that depth. In addition to live bait, spoons and drop shots are working well. They are also picking up a few catfish at these depths, but if Jerry wanted to concentrate on cats he would fish the center of coves and deeper humps with cut bait on the bottom in about 20-25 feet.
The yellow perch should be caught for a while on Lake Russell, and Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service(706-283-3336) reports that they are still mixed in with spotted bass in about 22 feet of water about halfway back in the creeks. They are on the bottom around schools of bait, and they are biting minnows and spoons.
After a really good fall the crappie are still a little harder to locate, and Luke reports that they are starting to move off of brush. However, there are still a fair number of fish on brush in 17-23 feet of water back in the creek runs.
Finally, on December 14 the 2nd Annual Jacob Lewis Benefit Bass Tournament will take place on Lake Russell out of the Highway 72 Boat Ramp. First place is $2000 and there is a $500 big fish prize. For more information visit: www.beechsprings.org/events.
November 13
Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.8 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 69-70 degrees.
They still aren’t seeing many striped bass on Lake Russell, although Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the gulls are just showing up and that almost always makes the fish easier to locate. But fortunately the black bass fishing is still good, and in 20-25 feet of water they are finding them in both the creeks and the main lake on structure including wood, brush and trees. Some of the fish are suspended and some are on the bottom, but they seem to be concentrated at that depth. In addition to live bait, spoons and drop shots are working well. They are also picking up a few catfish at these depths, but if Jerry wanted to concentrate on cats he would fish the center of coves and deeper humps with cut bait on the bottom in about 20-25 feet.
The yellow perch have also made their annual appearance on Lake Russell, and Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are mixed in with spotted bass in about 22 feet of water about halfway back in the creeks. They are on the bottom around schools of bait, and they are biting minnows and spoons.
After a really good fall the crappie are getting a little harder to locate, and Luke reports that they are starting to move off of brush. However, there are still a fair number of fish on brush in 17-23 feet of water back in the creek runs.
Finally, on December 14 the 2nd Annual Jacob Lewis Benefit Bass Tournament will take place on Lake Russell out of the Highway 72 Boat Ramp. First place is $2000 and there is a $500 big fish prize. For more information visit www.beechsprings.org/events.
October 30
Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.7 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake has cleared although some areas still have a brownish stain. Morning surface water temperatures are around 69-70 degrees.
The striped bass have completely disappeared recently, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the action got even better after the recent cold snap but when it warmed back up the fish scattered and vanished. Fortunately the black bass fishing has been pretty good, and in 20-25 feet of water they are finding them in both the creeks and the main lake on structure including wood, brush and trees. Some of the fish are suspended and some are on the bottom, but they seem be concentrated at that depth. In addition to live bait, spoons and drop shots are working well. They are also picking up a few catfish at these depths, but if Jerry wanted to concentrate on cats he would fish the center of coves and deeper humps with cut bait on the bottom in about 20-25 feet.
In addition to bass, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are catching good numbers of crappie right now – while they also can’t seem to find any perch or striper to speak of. They are fishing brush piles in the creeks in 17-20 feet of water and catching about a 60-40 mix of bass and crappie. They also aren’t marking any bass deeper yet.
Most of the fish are coming with minnows on a drop shot but jigging spoons are also producing.
October 16
Lake Russell water levels are well below full pool at 473.41 (full pool is 475.00) and most of the lake looks decent although some of the creeks got dirtier as water levels dropped – more than four feet in a short period. Morning surface water temperatures are around 72 degrees.
Most of his clients have wanted to fish for striped bass recently, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that he is still finding them in both the lower lake and the mid-lake area suspended around timber. Generally they have been about 30-35 feet down near bait schools. As is the norm on Lake Russell they aren’t catching huge numbers of fish, but the ones they are catching are all pretty solid. Down-rods and herring have been the key.
While Jerry hopes that the cooler temperatures will move the black bass deeper, into the same areas the striper are inhabiting, for now he is still finding most of them on brush in 15-20 feet of water on the main lake.
That’s consistent with the depth where Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports they are locating bass, and in the creeks they are finding them chasing shad around brush piles in about 14-18 feet. They have found the same areas loaded with both spotted bass and crappie, but the crappie are holding tighter to the brush and the bass are roaming around it. Jigging spoons, minnows, and crappie jigs have been catching both species.
October 10
Lake Russell water levels are finally below full pool at 474.43 (full pool is 475.00) and most of the lake looks pretty clear again, with only a mild stain in places. Morning surface water temperatures are around 75 degrees.
Lake Russell looks surprisingly good considering it was several feet over full so recently, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that even though the bass are still eating well they have definitely changed locations with the dropping water levels. At least the bigger fish have moved out deeper again, and he is now finding most of them on brush in 15-20 feet of water on the main lake. There are also a few fish suspended further down about 30 feet deep over deep water, which is also where the striped bass seem to be right now. Jerry is finding them close to the dam but also in the mid-lake, and they seem to be scattering out.
In a similar vein, Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that he has been catching striper on the lower end. 30 feet down seems to be the magic depth, and they are around bait in open water.
At the same time they are also finding a mixed bag of spotted bass and yellow perch setting up in what is typically a late October/ early November pattern. They are on the bottom in 30-33 feet of water mid-lake around the state park, and right now the best spots have been saddles between points. In addition to about 50 bass and perch, on the last trip they caught a 21-pound flathead on a small yellow perch they dropped down to see what else was around!
Finally, Luke reports that the crappie bite isn’t what it was right after the storm – when they were seemingly everywhere – but they are finding plenty on brush in 17-20 feet about halfway down.
October 2
Lake Russell water levels are several feet above full at 477.97 (full pool is 475.00) and the main water is stained but not muddy. Morning surface water temperatures are around 76-77 degrees.
On the water yesterday Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) was surprised by just how good Russell looked. Even nearly five foot above normal levels it wasn’t muddy or trashy, and riding all over the lake it actually looked fairly clean. While they couldn’t find much in the way of bass the crappie were very cooperative, and on every piece of structure they pulled up on in the 17-20 foot range, from standing timber to brush to bridges, fish were feeding. They caught fish on baby herring and threadfin shad that they had netted, and also managed to pull some up on a jigging spoon.
They probably didn’t catch more bass because they have gone super shallow, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that in the last couple of days he has caught over 70 fish in less than five feet of water – with one largemouth and the rest spots! They are in pockets and on points in the main lake and the front part of creeks, but if you venture far back into the creeks the water is blood red and he hasn’t fished those areas. He has caught everything on a crankbait and shaky head.
