Clarks Hill Fishing Report – June 2007

Clarks Hill: Level: 2.6 feet low. Temp: 68-75 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. The schooling has barely started, but everything seems to be behind because it’s been cool in the evenings. When it gets going look on blow-throughs and secondary points, and throw Spooks and Flukes. “I’ll be looking for schooling fish to appear any time throughout the day,” said guide William Sasser. “Even though the bass had a lot of tournament pressure on them this month they are still biting good on Carolina-rigged watermelon seed worms in the Little River section of the lake from the mouth of Savannah River to Raysville. Stay on main-lake points, and look for the bite in 4 to 6 feet. There are a lot of herring from the Russell dam about two miles down, and where the herring are you’ll find largemouths, stripers and hybrids. The bite is good up there right now. Weightless flukes are hard to beat on points in this part of the lake. That bite will hold in June.”

Linesides: Good. Look for linesides to start gathering in larger schools along main creek channels in 30 to 50 feet of water. “Downline with live bluebacks,” said William. “June is also a great time to fish at night off the points near the dam. For larger stripers try live gizzard shad on planer boards off the points above Amity or below Russell dam. Early morning is best.”

Shellcrackers: Excellent. “We had a great time in May for bedding fish, and June will be just as good,” said William. “We fish ultralight spinning tackle with No. 6 hooks baited with pinks. Bass Alley, Keg Creek, Mosley and Greys will all produce well in June. Every bed I found this year was within 100 yards of a blow-through.”

Crappie: Good. In June, fish move into deeper water in the backs of creeks, but along the main river channels they will stay in shallow water 10 to 15 feet deep,” said William. “I fish minnows one foot off the bottom in June in this shallow water. Pull jigs through shallow flats. The Soap Creek bridge produces well after midnight under lights with minnows.”

Catfish: Excellent. In early June they will be spawning along the rip-rap at Little River, Raysville and Soap Creek. “This is the best time of the year to catch catfish on Clarks Hill,” said William. “Anchor and fish against the rocks with your bait of choice. I prefer cut bluebacks.”