Clarks Hill Fishing Report – June 2008

Clarks Hill: Level: 8.6 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 70s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: “Largemouth bass are going into their summer pattern,” said Bill Crompton. “Schooling fish can be found on humps, points and blow-throughs. These fish can be caught early and late in the day on flukes, Spooks, Sammys and Gunfish. This is a great time to try a yellow floating worm on windy banks and points. During midday hours, bass can be found in 10 to 15 of water on humps and long points. Jigs and plastic worms are your best bets. Try a Kerry Rig, named for the late Kerry Mock. It consists of a 1-oz. bullet sinker, glass bead and a swivel tied to a 6-foot fluorocarbon leader and a 1/0 worm hook with a green-pumpkin Trick Worm.” Guide Ron Figueroa said the bite is on, and the fish are schooling. “Bass are best at daybreak and again at about 1 p.m. Best baits are a Sebile Magic Swimmer and a Super Fluke. Hit the points.”

Linesides: Capt. William Sasser said the linesides in June should start gathering in larger schools and will be found in main creek channels in 30 to 50 feet of water. “Downlines with live bluebacks will be a great choice,” 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 planers off the points above Amity or below Russell dam. Early morning is best.” Capt. Dave Willard said his clients caught 251 linesides over a six-day period. “Most of those fish were caught on downlines in 20 to 30 feet of water using live herring,” said Dave. “The herring are spawning right now and will continue into June. The stripers will feed on them at night and early morning. We’re ambushing the stripers right at daylight and getting a box full in a couple of hours. June will get even better as the bait completes the spawn and moves into deep water. The stripers will follow and congregate. Cherokee Creek, the Parksville area and Soap Creek will provide a lot of fish in June.” Guide Ron Figueroa said hybrids are best in the morning and even better in overcast conditions. “Flukes, Rat-L-Traps and a jig head with a white grub all work great,” said Ron.

Crappie: June is a transitional month for crappie on Clarks Hill, according to William. “The fish move into deeper water in the backs of creeks, but along the main river channels they will stay shallower in only 10 to 15 feet of water,” said William. “I will fish minnows 1 foot off the bottom in June in this shallow water. This is a great time to pull jigs through the shallow flats. In June, Soap Creek bridge produces well after midnight fishing minnows under lights.”

Shellcrackers: William said June will be just as good as May. “We fish ultra-light spinning tackle with No. 6 hooks only baited with pinks,” William said. “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.”

Catfish: Look for catfish to spawn on the rip-rap at Little River, Raysville and Soap Creek in the next few weeks. “This is the best time of the year for catfish on Clarks Hill,” said William. “Just anchor and fish against the rocks with your bait of choice. I prefer cut bluebacks.”