Clarks Hill Fishing Report March 2011

Clarks Hill: Level: Full pool. Temp: 48 degrees on the main lake to 52 in some creeks. Clarity: Clear on the lower end with a light stain up both Little Rivers.

Bass: Good. Capt. Dale Gibbs said the bite is turning on with the recent warm spell and moving fish well into their prespawn pattern. “Most bass are being found in ditches or flats with jerkbaits and crankbaits in 15 feet of water or less. On the warmer afternoons, you can see bass cruising in the backs of many pockets. We’re certainly not done with all of the cold weather, but spring is now upon us. Here are some things to keep handy as you fish this month: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits and jigs. The No. 1 bait of choice for me this month is a spinnerbait. If the weather continues to stay moderate to warm, big female bass will cruise the shallows looking for an area that provides cover and food for the spawn. Throw close to and into the thickest cover possible during the warmest days. However, if the temperature stays cool, back off the cover some and try slow-rolling around the edges of spawning flats. If the month does stay on the cool side, use your jerkbaits and crankbaits that suspend, and fish down the middle of the pockets. As always, the jig ’n pig will produce big bass now, also. Try it on main and secondary points that are near spawning flats. Don’t forget, from now until the middle of May is your best chance to catch a big bass on Clarks Hill.”

Linesides: Fair. William Sasser said the upper parts of Georgia Little River are full of threadfin, and anglers are catching quality stripers on planers with bluebacks. As we move into March, a good bite will begin down the lake. “The area around the dam, fishing downlines with herring, is where most of our March hybrids will be caught. Fishing the evenings and after dark in front of the dam produces a lot of fish in March.”

Crappie: Good. “We are catching a lot of fish in Buffalo Creek pulling jigs tipped with minnows,” William said. “The backs of all the creeks will have spawning slabs in them. We will work the banks with a jig-and-cork rig to locate them. This month we will also be fishing brushpiles in 10 to 20 feet of water with small minnows. Boat docks will hold a lot of fish around them in March. We use Crappie Country jigs and white Popeye jigs for springtime slabs.”