Clarks Hill Fishing Report – April 2008

Clarks Hill: Level: 10.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 58-60 degrees. Clarity: Clear on the lower end and dingy in the upper areas.

Bass: Bill Crompton said the bass are coming out of the deep water to find a place to bed. “Buck bass are all around the banks, cuts and shallow water,” said Bill. “Shallow-running crankbaits, like Shad Raps and Lucky Crafts, and jerkbaits, like Rattling Rogues, TD Minnows and Pointers, are working.” Bill also uses lizards, green-pumpkin Brush Hogs, finesse worms, spinnerbaits, Mop Jigs and Booyah jigs to catch fish. Jig colors that work are brown, blue/black, and use craw trailers.

Linesides: “The spring season is here, and it’s shaping up to be a good one,” said Guide Capt. Dave Willard. “My two favorite techniques this time of year are to pull freelines in the shallow water early and late and to anchor in the 15- to 20-foot range, and fish cut bait. Both methods are deadly on shallow fish. The upper tributaries are muddy to heavily stained, but the fish are there. Little River Carolina, Baker Creek, Murray Creek and Pistol Creek are hot spots this time of year. Also, the area up the Little River Georgia arm toward Holiday Park has been producing good catches. For the artificial guys, throwing crankbaits and bucktails into the shallows are producing some big stripers and largemouths.” Guide Capt. William Sasser said he looks for the water level to drastically rise this month. “Freelining herring out in deep water around the dam will be good in the afternoons,” said William. “Fish always show up around Schriver and Parksville in good numbers this time of year. Trolling at Little River bridge and the dam is another way to produce good fish.”

Crappie: Look for a great bite on jigs around the banks in Lloyds and Germany creeks. “I prefer white Popeye jigs this month fished on corks thrown up against the bank and pulled back to the boat slowly,” said William. “Minnow fishing over brush in 10 to 20 feet of water is great. Little River Carolina and Cane Creek will be a good place to fish early in the morning.”

Shellcracker: “Bluegills have already hatched out one crop of young ’uns in March, and shellcrackers should do the same in April,” said William. “Hopefully by April’s full moon the lake will have come up 5 feet at least. Near blow-throughs are great places to look for beds.”