Clarks Hill Lake Fishing Report April 2018

Clarks Hill: Level: 2.9 feet low. Temp: 54-57 degrees. Clarity: Slightly stained due to the high winds and rain, but it is beginning to clear up in the main-lake areas.

Linesides: Guide Bradd Sasser reports, “Even through we’ve had some wintertime weather and high winds, the great springtime bite is in full swing. Everything in the lake from the bait to the hybrids and stripers are slam full of eggs and waiting for the right conditions to begin their spawn. We are still fishing downlines off points along the edges of the channel in 35 to 45 feet of water. Typically this time of year we find either a great daybreak bite or a good evening bite, but we have been very fortunate with a strong, steady bite starting around daybreak and lasting throughout the day. As the conditions warm up, we will see the fish hold in the same areas they are in and just push up into the shallows. While the spawn is going on, planer boards along the shoals and points will take the place of downlines, but as soon as they complete going through the motions of spawning, expect the hybrids and stripers to move back into deeper water along the edges of humps. This is when downlines at daybreak will become the preferred method again. Even through some adverse weather conditions, we are off to a great spring fishing season.” Guide Eddie Mason reports, “We’re still fishing the lower end of the lake. The fish have been cooperating better than the weather. Due to high winds and rain and cool temperatures, it’s been difficult to fish some days. The days we have been able to fish, we’re catching good fish. We’re fishing in water 20 to 30 feet deep in the morning and 30 to 40 feet deep by midday. We’re using downrods with blueback herring. When I say downrods, I use is 20-lb. main line with a 2-oz. slip sinker, then a barrel swivel and a 2-foot fluorocarbon leader with a 2/0 octopus hook. We’re fishing the backs of ditches in the morning, and by midday we’re catching them on the humps. If the weather warmers, April fish should start moving into shallow water to feed off the herring that are hatching. We’ll start pulling planer boards in the morning, and then as the day goes on, we’ll move out deeper to fish downrods and planer boards. Night fishing near the dam should get good in April.”