Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – November 2006

Hartwell: Level: 7.0 feet below full pool. Temp: 70-73 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: There is an excellent topwater bite going on right now. Kerry Partain has been tearing them up by fishing rip-rap early with either a spinnerbait or Little Earl crankbait. Later in the day he is fishing for schooling fish on the humps and points with flukes, Rapala X-Rap jerkbaits or Blade Runners. For details, see article on page 60.

Stripers/Hybrids: Great for topwater. Guide Steve Crenshaw says it has been a little slow on live bait, but the stripers and hybrids are eating topwater. While he has been fishing live bait, recently he has been catching more fish on top than on live bait. “They are schooling real good,” he said. “Some days we are wearing them out.” Steve has been fishing the area where the Savannah and Tugaloo come together, and he said the fish are coming up early and late over 100 feet of water on the river channel. “I have been throwing a Lucky Craft Sammy, but it doesn’t matter. Some other guys are throwing Creek Chubs, and about any topwater will work when they come up.” As the water temperature drops, the fish will slide up the lake and start back into the creeks following the bait, he said.

Crappie: Good. “The crappie are eating up minnows back in the creeks over brush 12 to 18 feet deep,” said Steve. “Fish minnows six to 10 feet deep over the brush.