Clarks Hill Fishing Report – August 2010

Clarks Hill: Level: 2.5 feet below full pool. Temp: 88 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Slow. Dale Gibbs said the fishing has been tough, with 10 to 12 pounds winning most tournaments. The standard schooling bite around main-lake humps has been mostly small fish, with the occasional 2-pounder thrown in. You can catch a bunch of small fish on topwater, though, throwing a Zara Spook Jr., a small Sammy or a popping-cork rig. Dale said you can also catch some fish on big Texas- or Carolina-rigged worms around the humps that top out in 15 to 25 feet of water. Dale likes an Ol Monster in plum or tequila sunrise.

Linesides: Good. Capt. Dave Willard reports, “We’ve been setting out dark and early to beat the heat. Large schools of fish gather on the humps, and we downline 24 to 30 feet to reel them in. Little River Georgia, especially the Cherokee Creek area, and Soap Creek on the main Savannah River are two of my favorite hot spots this time of year. The oxygen levels are getting bad at the lower end of the lake, which led to the fish kill last year. The aerators should be online by next summer. We’re hoping the fish can hold their breath until at least next fall. We are still using live bluebacks, and we’re also starting to troll with umbrella rigs and downriggers.” Capt. William Sasser reports, “August on Clarks Hill this year will be great. The fish are hanging around 30 to 40 feet deep. We will fish live herring at that depth on the lower end of the lake or troll bucktails and umbrella rigs across humps. August is also the beginning of schooling fish. Fishing below Russell dam is very productive as long as they are generating power. Fish are funneling under Little River bridge at night right now and can be caught on live herring.”

Crappie: William reports, “August is almost the same pattern as July with fishing at night under bridges and lights or fishing small shiners over trees in 30 to 50 feet of water being the best patterns. Fish 20 feet deep near deeper water.”