Clarks Hill Lake Fishing Report April 2017

Clarks Hill: Level: 10 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 60s. Clarity: Very clear.

Bass: Tournament angler Kerry Partain reports, “With the water temperature on the rise, look for the topwater bite to really pick up this month. This is one of the best lakes to be on during the blueback herring spawn, and now is the time to start targeting this early morning feeding frenzy. I like to start out throwing topwater and flukes on flat points, shoals and islands when the blueback herring are up shallow. If topwater action begins to slow down, a Carolina-rigged worm or lizard and a jig are good on the points to catch the bass as they are roaming in search of baitfish. Some of the bass are also spawning, so once the sun gets up high, you can search for beds or cruising fish. During April, the majority of the bass are shallow to either feed or to spawn, and it is a good time to be fishing.”

Linesides: Guide William Sasser reports, “The early spring fishing this year has been fantastic with the mild winter, keeping the fish grouped up and feeding heavily. For the most part, all of our hybrids and stripers are being caught on downlines in 20 to 35 feet of water off of the sides of secondary points and main channel points. The best bite comes shortly after sunrise and lasts a couple of hours, but a steady bite does last throughout the day. After the initial morning bite, the groups are breaking up and running along the edges of the channels and ditches. Once they break up, you can try heavy chumming to hold them long enough for downlines, or you can cover a lot of ground using planer boards and freelines. Everything seems to be warming up quickly this year, which is pushing the fish deeper. The hybrids and stripers are still holding around mid-lake areas and creeks and in Georgia Little River in the Grays Creek area, but as things warm, they will push farther down the lake toward the deep water at the lower dam. One very important factor in catching fish right now is making sure you have fresh bait on the hook because of the lake having a very high population of herring this year. Once the hybrids and stripers push toward the lower end, expect a very good morning and evening bite along the wall and rocks at the lower dam.”