Clarks Hill Fishing Report – April 2007

Clarks Hill: Level: 0.6 feet low. Temp: 59-64 degrees. Clarity: Stained up the lake.

Bass: Excellent. “They are in the middle of their spawn just about all over the lake,” said guide William Sasser. “Hydrilla and grass is the key in 6 to 10 feet of water off the sides of secondary points and creeks. Carolina-rigged worms (pumpkinseed or watermelon) have been producing extremely well.” William also said that a Buckeye Lures Spot Remover with a pink Trick Worm is also hard to beat thrown in the ditches. “April is the month when schooling largemouths can be found pretty much all over the lake,” said William. “Zara Spooks thrown early on the blow-throughs in Bass Alley, Bussey Point, Parksville and the Georgia Flats is a great way to start your day. When schooling fish go down, throw a Carolina-rigged finesse worm; they will kill it. Above the pumping station at Raysville throw chartreuse spinnerbaits early or all day on cloudy days. If the sun is out try white. It is also a great time to fish Carolina-rigged worms or lizards.”

Linesides: Fair. “This month is the right time to start seeing large hybrids show up in the lower end of the lake toward the dam,” said William. “Fish live herring 12 to 18 pulls deep off just about any of the main points. Freelining live herring always seems to produce large stripers in front of the dam in April. When fishing live bait remember to throw one cutbait out also.”

Crappie: Great. William said that April is crappie-fishing time on Clarks Hill. “We will fish shallow with jigs right on the bank for bedding fish and fish minnows over structure in water from 10 to 30 feet deep for staging and postspawn fish,” said William. “Most of my March fishing we were catching females full of eggs in 40 feet of water fishing 35 feet deep, so April should be a great month. Long Cane Creek to Little River (S.C.) and Cherokee, Grays and Lloyds are all great places to fish.”