Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – January 2025

Hartwell: Level: 3.3 feet below 660. Temp: Mid 50s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Cole Wilson, with Spot Chaser Guide Service, reports, “Fish are fully into their wintertime homes, and the ditch bite is hot on the main lakes and in the creeks. Many baits will work in the ditches, such as a 1/2-oz. jigging spoon, a blade bait or a Damiki jig. Keep an eye out for any big balls of bait you might find, as well as any channel swings in the creeks. It is best to focus on ditches anywhere from 25 feet all the way out to 65 feet. Bait is usually key but is not a must. Stay on the move since not every ditch will be holding fish or bait. Another pattern to look for is the roadbeds. Roadbeds are bass highways. Especially in the winter, fish will use roadbeds to travel to their pre-spawn areas. Rocky roadbeds or ones with brushpiles are usually better for holding fish. A Carolina rig, jig, drop shot or a jigging spoon can all be used to target these fish. As we move into the later part of January, start to focus a little more on the very early prespawn and staging areas that bass will be moving into toward the end of the month.

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