Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – October 2018

Hartwell: Level: Full pool.Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Tournament angler Kerry Partain reports, “Bass fishing is still tough right now with the hot weather keeping the water temperatures warmer than usual for this time of year. The bait and bass have been concentrated at the mouths of creeks around the points and humps, but with the warmer weather, they have moved out to the deeper main-lake humps, points and submerged timber. The past couple of weeks there has been more schooling activity, but it is still sporadic right now. If you see any schooling activity, you have to get your bait in there fast because they don’t stay up long. When the bass are not schooling, keep an eye on your electronics to locate schools of bass, and you can catch them on a drop shot or a shaky head rigged with a Zoom Shakey Tail worm. As the water begins to cool down in October, there should be more schooling activity, and the shallow bite will begin to pick up.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “October fishing can be spectacular. There are few other boats on the water in October. The scenery is spectacular with the beautiful fall leaves. October can be like April, with cooler water and fish moving shallow. Unlike April, most people are watching football, hunting or just don’t realize that fishing can be as good as in the springtime. Hybrids and stripers are still out on the main lake. They will feed better with the cooler water. They can school on the surface at any time. I always have a topwater plug ready. Bass are also energized by the cooling water. They are moving shallow, feeding without the fishing pressure of spring. By late October, the lake starts turning over with cold snaps. The fish will start to migrate up the lake and into the creeks. Usually the turnover is worse after a cold snap. Look for pretty green water, and stay away from the dark brown water.”