Clarks Hill Fishing Report – July 2009

Clarks Hill: Level: 3.1 feet below full pool. Temp: 82-85 degrees. Clarity: Dingy in the creeks; clear down the lake.

Bass: Bill Harvey with Southern Anglers Challenge said the fish have not been real aggressive yet. “Typically we’re whacking them at night, but the winning (night) weights have only been between 8 and 11 pounds,” said Bill. Fish seem to be somewhat scattered, not yet relating to their summertime hang-outs around brushed-up tapering points and humps. Water temperatures are running behind this year, which is likely the cause for the slower-than-usual summer bite. This should be the month for it to kick in. Bill fishes hydrilla edges on the points and humps. With the lake just now coming back up, the tops of these points and humps have no grass on them. “That’s the area we’re calling the sweet spot,” said Bill. Many of these bare humps and points have rocks or gravel on them. Throw plastics to the sweet spots. “When you hit a rock, instead of pulling it over, we’re just shaking the bait,” said Bill. “If there’s a fish around and he’s hungry, he’s going to eat it. For some reason these fish aren’t hitting a bait in the grass.” Bill will Carolina rig a Trick Worm in junebug or green pumpkin. Stick with darker colors at night and green during the day. Also, take a 3/8-oz. Spot Remover and fish any Senko-type bait on the tops of the points and humps. Flukes, Spooks and buzzbaits over these areas can get you bit early and late.

Linesides: Very good. “July on Clarks Hill is probably one of our most consistent fish-producing months,” said Capt. William Sasser. “As the lake stratifies, the fish will be in a 25- to 40-foot-deep comfort zone, which makes them very catchable. We’ll drift fish with live herring in the river channel during mid-morning and fish shoals in 30 feet of water early and late in the day. Later in the month, trolling treelines with umbrella rigs or downriggers with bucktails will produce quality fish.”

Crappie: Good, according to William. “In July we’ll fish along the river channel in 30 to 40 feet of water over trees, fishing 20 feet down with live small shiners or jigs tipped with the same. The key is to get out of smaller creeks and fish the bigger water. Flats that are adjacent to the main river channel that are approximately 15 to 25 feet deep are great places to pull jigs.”

Catfish: Good. “Clarks Hill’s catfish population is an untapped great fishery,” William said. “Every week of striper fishing we’ll catch some quality channels and flatheads on live herring. In June, Albert Moody at the Herring Hut had a nighttime catfish tournament which produced a lot of 20-lb. plus fish. Most were caught on underwater islands where the fish move out of deeper water to shallow humps to feed at night.”