Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – October 2020

Hartwell: Level: Full pool. Temp: Mid 70s. Clarity: The main lake has that turnover look, and the creeks are stained.

Bass: Tournament angler Kerry Partain reports, “The bass fishing was already tough on Hartwell, and to make matters worse, with all the rain and cool weather, it is turning over. That being said, it cooled off so quick and the rain put so much fresh water in that the bite will really improve in the next few weeks. So, looking forward to October, the bass and bait should be active, and the fishing should be fast and furious. I love this time of year because you can catch them on Zoom Super Flukes, topwater, jerkbaits, crankbaits and a host of other moving baits, plus it is a lot cooler while you are fishing.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “Fishing has been tough. Hybrids and striper fishing has been slow with bait but good with power reeling and trolling. There is a difference between seeing loads of fish on the sonar and catching them. Power reeling and trolling get the reaction strike that you can not mimic with live bait. I think the big problem has been too much rain. Less rain would help the water quality. Cooling water temps as we move into fall should have a positive affect on the fishing. I will have a Lucky Craft Sammy in ghost minnow ready for the topwater bite that gets going in October. Bass fishing has been tough. They will become more active with the cooler weather of fall. They will move back to shallower water. Unlike spring, fall usually sees no crowds, beautiful fall colors and active shallow fish.”