Clarks Hill Fishing Report – January 2019

Clarks Hill: Level: Full. Temp: Low to mid 50s. Clarity: Very stained in the rivers and clearing up as you get closer to the dam.

Bass: Tournament angler Josh Rockefeller reports, “The fishing is getting better as the water continues to cool. I’m finding most fish relating to the creeks in 2 to 8 feet of water. Any long, narrow ditch that converges with a creek channel is what we are looking for. If you can find where a ditch forks toward the back, it can be a very productive spot. I am mostly throwing the Buckeye Lures Jiggin’ Blade in the nickel color and in the 3/4-oz. size. Keep an eye out for loons working in the ditches or at the mouths of the ditches. This is a very good indication of what hydrilla is left, but more importantly, it means there are blueback herring in the area. If you see the birds, stop. It is not always going to mean the fish are there, but it sure does help eliminate water.”

Linesides: Guide Brad Sasser reports, “The hybrids have pushed about halfway back in the creeks in 20 to 30 feet of water along the edges of the creek channels. The larger stripers have pushed on into the backs of creeks. Downlining herring is working really well for the hybrids. Pulling planer boards and freelines with herring and gizzard shad are producing nice-sized stripers. Along with the downlines, working a medium-sized Flex-it spoon is also working to catch some nice hybrids. We are seeing a little bit of bird activity working schools of bait and fish nearby feeding.”

Crappie: Guide Brad Sasser reports, “The wintertime crappie bite is in full swing with some very nice slabs being caught on small shiners and also minnow-tipped jigs fishes around brushpiles in the backs of creeks.” Capt. Eddie Mason reports, “I’m still staying mostly on the lower end of the lake, and we’ve been fishing downrods in 35 to 40 feet of water. I’m mostly staying around Parksville and Hamilton Branch. It’s been really cold out, but it’s the rain that’s making the water muddy, and that’s causing the fish to move more toward the dam and clearer water. Once the water clears up, we’ll probably be fishing planer boards as well as downrods. Due to cold weather and rain, business has been slow, but the fish are still cooperating. We’re limiting out on hybrids and stripers most times and catching some good catfish, too.”