Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – December 2006

Hartwell: Level: 7.0 feet below full pool. Temp: 58-59 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. Mark Waller said a 20-boat tournament November 18 was won with about 13 pounds, and the fish were caught in a variety of ways from spinnerbaits, to Carolina rigs to spoons. Mark said the spooning bite should be strong over the next two months. Watch for birds — gulls and loons — to show you where the bait is and then drop a Cordell CC spoon or Flex-it spoon to the depth just below the bait.

Stripers/Hybrids: Good. Hartwell guide Steve Crenshaw said he is catching 25 to 30 fish per day on live bluebacks. He is fishing the live bait on downlines and freelines with the downlines catching most of the fish. The fish have moved into the creeks following the bait. Steve has been fishing back in the creeks up the Seneca River, but any creek on either side of the lake with bait should hold fish. “Watch the gulls to show you where the schools are located,” he said.