Largemouth bass are the most sought after
species in Lake Hartwell. Whether spring lake levels are above or
below full pool does not seem to drastically effect the
largemouth bass spawn because the population seems to maintain
relative stable numbers of fish from year to year. Bass in the
two pound size range are plentiful. Since the lake has recovered
from an extended period of drought, emergent terrestrial
vegetation is plentiful around the shoreline, which will provide
great cover and targets for this spring's spawn.
Technique
Bass are drawn to rip-rap areas around
bridge abutments during the winter and early spring. Crankbaits
in shad patterns, spinner baits, and curly tail grubs are good
lure choices for bass holding on these rocky structures. During
the spawning period, cast shallow water baits like Super Flukes,
Trick Worms, Spinner Baits, and Rattlin’ Rogues around
woody debris located in backwater coves and pockets. In early
summer, bass key in on shad and herring on main lake humps and
points. A favorite summer pattern is fishing early mornings and
late afternoons on the lower half of the lake with topwater baits
like the Sammy, Zara Spook or Super Fluke near reef marker points
adjacent to deep water. Fishing guides often comment how bass
explode to the surface from their deepwater hideouts to take
these topwater baits.
Target
On the Georgia side of the lake, Lightwood
Log Creek, Gum Log Creek and Eastanollee Creek typically yield
the highest catch rates.
Hybrid Bass and Striped
Bass
Prospect
Striped bass and hybrid bass are annually
stocked and support popular fisheries all year. Sampling
indicates that striped bass in 10 to 20-pound weight classes are
more numerous than in recent years, but stripers in the 5 pound
range will dominate the catch. Anglers should also enjoy great
success for hybrid bass this year because the hybrid bass
population, while small in size, is near an all-time high in
abundance.
Technique
Striped bass and hybrid bass inhabit
similar areas because both species prey on blueback herring,
threadfin shad and gizzard shad. Successful anglers take
advantage of this and use live herring or artificial herring
imitations, like jigs and Super Flukes, to catch fish. The same
bait and lure selections work all year, but the approach changes
according to the season. During the warm weather months, as
stripers and hybrids move downstream toward the dam to find
suitable water at the right temperature and with sufficient
oxygen, downlining herring at night is the best approach. During
the fall, the surface temperature cools below 75 degrees (F) and
stripers and hybrids chase baitfish at the surface, anglers
should use topwater tactics with Super Flukes, Sammies or Zara
Spooks.
Target
When water temperatures range from 55 to 65
degrees (F), hybrids will congregate on secondary points located
in major cove arms. Stripers will also move onto shallow water
points and backwater creek channels in search of baitfish. From
January through May, anglers should take advantage of certain
environmental conditions that favor their chances of hooking into
a striper or hybrid. These conditions include: Topography –
fish secondary points and adjacent flats in the major cove arms;
Time – the bite is best at dusk and dawn; Turbidity –
stained/muddy water attracts fish; and Wind – fish will
congregate along the wind blown shorelines. During warm weather
months, stripers and hybrids migrate toward deep, cooler water
near the dam.
Crappie
Prospect
Black crappie is a seasonal favorite among
Hartwell anglers. The crappie population has declined from the
extended drought and low lake levels. For the coming year, while
anglers may catch fewer crappie, they will be in the 10 to
14-inch size range. With the abundance of flooded sapling trees,
there will be an overabundance of spawning cover for crappie this
spring, which should indicate great fishing the following
year.
Technique
As the water starts to warm in late
February and early March, crappie will stack up in pre-spawn
staging areas. These areas include structures in 10 to 15 feet of
water like submerged trees, bridge abutments, road beds and
boathouses. Dropping live minnows and small crappie jigs into
these structures is the best bet for catching pre-spawn fish.
When the water temperature reaches 65 degrees (F) by early April,
crappie move into 2-3 feet of water around visible submerged
cover in backwater coves. Fishing around structure and cover is
critical. Anglers also should not overlook boathouses suspended
over creek channels. During the fall, large numbers of crappie
congregate in submerged timber in 30 feet of water.
Target
The areas with the largest numbers of
crappie on the Georgia side of the lake include Eastanollee
Creek, Gum Log Creek, Shoal Creek and Lightwood Log Creek.
Redeye
Bass
Prospect
Redeye are abundant in the lower half of
the lake. Catches of up to 2 pounds were common last fall.
Technique
Aggressive feeders; readily take most
artificial lures that imitate small fish or crayfish.
Target
Target rocky shorelines such as those near
the Crawfords Ferry Landing and main lake points near Long
Point.
Additional
Information
Two local fishing clubs
provide updated striper fishing reports for Lake Hartwell on
their respective Web sites:
Striper Kings: http://striperkings.striperboard.com
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