Lake Hartwell Fishing Reports – February 2021

Hartwell: Level: 1.6 feet below full. Temp: 50-55 degrees. Clarity: The main lake is very clear.

Bass: Guide Matt Justice reports, “Fishing has been a little tougher in the past few weeks, but good days depend more on the weather this time of year. Best bet is to look for schools of bait 20 to 50 feet deep. Look in old creek channels, points and rockpiles. Once you’ve found fish, a football jig is the go-to for me, but shaky heads, drop shots and underspins all work well. If the sun is out, find docks with brush and fish a jig and worm. Look in 10 to 20 feet of water. Look for the dock bite to get better as spring gets nearer.”

Crappie: Guide Preston Harden reports, “Crappie will eat no matter how cold the water gets. They want small baits worked very slow. I use a 1/32-oz. jig with a Tiny Fluke. I use 4-lb. test line. I try to put my jig in the darkest water under a dock or bridge. Shoot the jig into the dark. Try to pick a warm day and wear a life jacket. Hypothermia sets in very quickly in the cold water. Have a plan to get back in the boat if you fall in with heavy cloths on. It is like wearing weights when cloths get wet. I have a ladder on my transom. I always wear a PFD when I am alone.”