Clarks Hill Fishing Report October 2012

Clarks Hill: Level: 12.9 feet below full pool. Temp: 76-80 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Kerry Partain reports, “Fishing is good. The baitfish are in the fall transition, and the bass are feeding up. You can catch some big fish early on the islands, humps and points with grass on buzzbaits and Zoom Horny Toads. Later in the day, move out on these same areas and fish topwater and Zoom Super Flukes around the drops and ledges. The baitfish will move around throughout the day, and the bass can school up anywhere, so keep the trolling motor on high, and watch your electronics. There are also some shallow fish in the grass, and they can be caught on a Zoom Trick Worm rigged weightless or with a small tungsten weight.”

Stripers: Guide William Sasser reports, “The schooling fish are everywhere chasing threadfins on the surface. Thing Poppers and Iceflys seem to be what they want this year. Down rods with live herring under the schoolies catch larger fish. The fish will start migrating to the upper ends of the lake in later October. Underwater islands with 40 feet of water on top of them is where the herring and stripers will be.”

Crappie: William reports, “The crappie this month will be on brushpiles mid-lake up. Fishing small shiners anchored on top of the trees 20 feet deep is what we will be doing. The key is taking the time to have work days putting out trees.”