Lake Hartwell Fishing Report May 2019

Hartwell: Level: 0.5 feet above full pool. Temp: 66-72 degrees. Clarity: Muddy in the rivers.

Bass: Guide and Tournament angler Matt Justice reports, “With the flooding, the Tugaloo and Seneca rivers have become muddy, and the fishing has gotten tougher. Look for the water to clear up and the fishing to get better each day. With the majority of the spawning complete, look for fish to move to postspawn patterns on brush on points and around bream beds. The herring spawn is still happening but will be ending soon. Look for flat points, and fish chrome topwater walking baits in less than 10 feet of water. Once fish move to brush, fish drop shots and topwaters. Bream bed fish can be caught flipping creature baits, frogs and black buzzbaits in pockets.”

Linesides: Guide Preston Harden reports, “May might be the best month of the year for catching fish. Every type of fish is active and shallow. Most fish have finished spawning. They are feeding and putting on weight after the rigors of spawning. Hybrids and stripers are feeding shallow, especially early and late. I am looking around points, shoals, humps and other shallow structure. We will throw small jig heads with Zoom Super Fluke Juniors in white ice. We will also throw Sebille Magic Swimmers. I like the slow-sinking white color. We will pull herring with no weight as we cast around the shallow structure. Spotted bass and largemouth bass will also be around the same areas. They will be following the blueback herring that are spawning in May. The herring spawn in May around shallow structure. If you reel in and the herring are following your lure, you are in the right spot. All game fish are active in May. Most of them are shallow and feeding. The weather is agreeable. Get out and enjoy.”