Clarks Hill Fishing Reports – March 2021

Clarks Hill: Level: Temp: 48 degrees. Clarity: The rivers are stained on the main lake to the Fishing Village area.

Bass: Tournament angler Trad Whaley reports, “The fish are just starting to move into the mouths of their spawning areas. Try the first flats off the main lake and the main creek arms for the first of March. Any dark rock, wood or clay banks that are on north or northwest banks will be the first place they pull up. Then you can follow the transition back into the main creek arms and pockets until you locate them. Then you can follow them until they spawn and start their migrating back out, stopping in the same areas. Now until the water temp gets in the high 50s, I’d slow-roll a spinnerbait or throw a rattle bait, like a Berkley War Pig, or fish a Berkley Frittside crankbait in size 5 and 7 in shad and craw patterns. I also like a jig with a Berkley Maxscent trailer because of its bigger profile. In the clearer water, I’d keep your favorite jerkbait, an underspin and an Alabama rig with a 3.8-inch Berkley PowerBait Power Swimmer rigged up. We should be turning the corner to some great fishing. Take a kid fishing. They are our future. Confidence is key.”

Linesides: Capt. Eddie Mason reports, “I’m fishing between Modoc and the dam and going over to Georgia Little River some, too. I’m using downrods with live bait. While we’re waiting on the rain to stop and the lake wind advisories to calm down, I’m ready to adjust what I’m doing daily. But if I go where the water is stained, I’m still catching them 15 to 20 feet down. If the water is clear, I’m getting them on the bottom.”

Guide Bradd Sasser reports, “The hybrids and stripers are moving toward the mouths of creeks near points and also blow-throughs. They have been deep in 35 to 50 feet of water, but we are beginning to see more shallow fish in 15 to 20 feet of water. The bite is also beginning to get a little earlier.  Mid-lake areas have been very productive. In the coming weeks, the fish will migrate toward the lower end of the lake. As water temperatures increase, the fish will move into shallow water to stage and feed for their false spawn.  Right now downlines and planer boards are both very productive.”