Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – August 2009

Hartwell: Level: 4.8 feet below full pool. Temp: 83 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. Josh Fowler reports, “The run-and-gun topwater techniques will be your best bet to catch a big sack. The fish are bunched up on offshore humps, points and ledges all over the lake. Most of the fish are suspended in 15 to 20 feet of water over 30 to 35 feet. Pay close attention to the wind, and try to fish the spots where the wind is hitting. This whole deal revolves around the blueback herring, and you have to fish baits that mimic this baitfish. I like the Ima Lures Skimmer in a golden-shiner color and a Zoom Super Fluke in a pearl color. Always have a drop shot or Spot Remover to drop on any fish you see on the graph.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “Striper and hybrids are still in an early summer pattern — fish are spread out from the rivers to the dam. Normally this time of year fish move south to deep water. This year everything is late, and fish are still shallow. Fish 30 to 40 feet deep over the river channel or in coves and creeks where you mark fish. Blueback herring is the best bait. Jigging spoons will also work by vertical jigging through suspended fish or bouncing off the bottom where fish are marked close to the bottom. Little surface activity so far this summer, but it could happen anytime, so have a topwater plug ready in case they break the surface.”