Lake Hartwell Fishing Report July 2017

Hartwell: Level: 6.6 feet below full pool. Temp: 80 degrees. Clarity: Clear on the main lake; stained in the creeks.

Bass: Guide Preston Harden reports, “The spotted bass are all over the shallow brushpiles around points, shoals and humps. They will move a little deeper in July but still shallow in the 15- to 30-foot range. They will still relate to brushpiles. I like to fish a topwater plug from a distance and then a drop-shot rig fished vertically, if I mark fish on the sonar.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “July striper and hybrid fishing should be on fire. They are easy to locate and are usually hungry. Surface activity is mostly over as the fish migrate to deeper, cleaner water on the lower half of the lake. Good electronics are important, as it is as much hunting as it is fishing. Freelined herring are replaced by downlining Carolina-rigged herring. Drop a fresh herring down to the fish marked on the sonar, and hold on. Artificials will work if you prefer. A large tear-drop spoon or a 1-oz. jig head with a 5-inch swimbait are productive alternatives to live bait. Don’t be afraid to reel fast through the fish marked on the sonar.”