Clarks Hill Fishing Report March 2013

Clarks Hill: Level: 9.7 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 50s. Clarity: Stained on the upper creeks.

Bass: Good. Dale Gibbs reports, “Bass fishing has been good lately, with larger fish showing up at the tournament weigh-in stations on Saturdays. Numbers of fish have been caught lately on medium-depth crankbaits like the No. 6 and 7 Shad Raps. However, the larger fish are coming on big GreenFish Tackle jigs. I have been using the peanut butter and jelly, 1/2-oz. football and 3/4-oz. models. Most of these fish are coming 10 feet deep or deeper on rocky points. As we move in to March, look for a shallow crankbait bite using square bills and jerkbaits. In these same areas, try using a 3/8- or 1/2-oz. spinnerbait. Bass will begin to spawn on flats. Look for dirty water and flats adjacent to creek channels. Continue throwing the GreenFish Tackle jig. Clarks Hill is notorious for big jig fish. Now is the time to catch a trophy bass.” ABA tournament director William Hooker caught some good bass Feb. 20 on a cold day with a little wind. He said the surface temp was 49 degrees. He found fish in 25 feet of water, and he put a drop-shot on them. “See fish on the Lowrance, drop down, and bam,” said William.

Linesides: Good. “The fish are starting to show up in front of the dam in the evenings,” said Capt. William Sasser. “Whether fishing live herring from a boat or fishing cut bait from the bank, you have a great chance of success on the lower end. The stripers are starting to feed shallower in the mornings. Pulling freelines in 10 feet of water or shallower with live herring will catch fish. March is a great month to anchor on shoals in 15 feet of water and throw out cut bait on the bottom for nice stripers. We usually chum a lot while fishing like this. Two good anchors is must to hold the boat in one position.”

Crappie: Capt. Sasser reports, “Early in March we will fish brushpiles in 30 feet of water fishing 20 feet deep with minnows for prespawn slabs. As the month goes on, we will pull jigs in shallow water in the back of coves to catch spawning fish. South Carolina Little River and Buffalo Creek are great March areas.”