Clarks Hill Lake Fishing Report – February 2022

Clarks Hill: Level: 0.8 feet below 330. Temp: 47-50 degrees. Clarity: The water is dirty in all the bigger creeks and rivers up the lake to about mid lake. The level has been fluctuating a lot this month because of the rain we have been getting.

Bass: Tournament angler Trad Whaley reports, “Looking ahead to February, I personally don’t like the dirty water when the water temps are below 54 and falling. They are more sight feeders keying on bait, so look for clean water in creek mouths and the main lake, but also concentrate on where the bait is located. It sounds like a broken record, but the creek drains and main-lake ditches will be productive anywhere the bait is located. I start looking in around 35 feet, then I go shallow. When the bait is found deep, a jigging spoon and drop shot will get it done. Mid depth or shallower, and a Blade Runner, A-rig and a bladed bait gets the call. If I am fishing all the way back, I fish jerkbaits and Traps. Shallow crankbaits will start getting good in the stained to dirty water on rock and transition areas. A jig is hard to beat if it’s a frontal condition. Remember confidence is key.”

Linesides: Guide Bradd Sasser reports, “The fishing has been very good even with the ever-changing weather patterns and fronts we have had recently. There have been several good groups of hybrids along the edges of ditches midways back in the creeks in 30 to 50 feet of water. Some groups are suspended and some are holding closer to the bottom. The stripers have been farther back in the creeks and more scattered out, with freelines and planer boards working better for targeting them. Mid- to upper-lake creeks have been especially good. We have had quite a bit of bird activity, indicating where the bait is. The fish will be close-by. These patterns will hold steady until they begin to move shallow and begin their spawning patterns.”

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