Clarks Hill Fishing Report November 2011

Clarks Hill: Level: 8.7 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid to high 60s. Clarity: Slight stain.

Bass: Good. Grassy humps at the mouths of the creeks should produce a few fish right now as the fish get ready to move into the creeks behind the shad. When they’re on top schooling, they can be caught on topwater baits like Sammys and Super Flukes. A crankbait or a Trick Worm on a shaky head can catch them on the deeper side of the humps if they aren’t hitting on top. This month is usually a good one on Clarks Hill, as the fish migrate into the backs of the creeks to feed up on shad. Get on the flats in the backs of the creeks, and look for bait and fish busting on it. Crank a Shad Rap or other crankbait that doesn’t get any deeper than about 7 feet. A spinnerbait or Rat-L-Trap are also good choices. Look for fish breaking in the backs of the coves, and always keep a Super Fluke tied on to throw at schooling fish. Later this month, the jig bite should get good. Try jigging docks or any wood cover you can find on secondary points in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Linesides: Excellent. William Sasser reports, “As Clarks Hill gets close to 10 feet low, the fish are still biting great. Surface temp is 65 to 70 degrees. The good stripers will be up in the Raysville area for the winter. We will catch them on planers and freelined herring.” See page 24 for a feature on William’s November techniques for linesides.

Crappie: Good. William reports, “In November, the fish will be in large groups around trees in 30 to 40 feet of water. We will fish minnows down 20 feet deep on top of the trees in the Dordon Creek and Parksville area.”