Lake Hartwell Fishing Report – November 2008

Hartwell: Level: 18.4 feet below full pool. All corps ramps are posted as closed, but boaters may use them at their own risk. “We have signs posted showing the ramps as closed,” said corps spokesperson Tonya Grant. “But we can’t say whether it is safe or not depending on the type boat and the tow vehicle you have.” The corps is using gravel to extend five ramps: Big Oaks and Crawfords Ferry in Hart County; Green Pond and Gattons Ford in Anderson County, S.C.; and Martin Creek in Oconee County, S.C. For up-to-date information, visit the corps website
www.sas.usace.army.mil/lakes/hartwell/. Temp: Low 70s. Clarity: The main lake is clear.

Bass: Fair, said guide Josh Fowler. “The lake is turning over up here, and the bite has gotten tougher. You can still catch fish, but most of them are small spots or Coosa bass. On Oct. 18, Greg Kellum and I finished third in the open tournament with 10 pounds while Curtis Jarret and Greg Bond won the tournament with 11 pounds. Everyone reported catching plenty of fish, but it’s hard to catch one over 2 pounds. The spotted bass have been the most active, and you can catch all you want on a drop shot or a Spot Remover. The run-and-gun topwater bite has gradually disappeared along with all the big largemouths. As we move into November, we should see things improve as the lake settles back down. Start looking for the largemouths to move into the backs of the major creek arms and begin feeding on the small threadfin shad. A spinnerbait, Rat-L-Trap and a jig will be good lure choices when the fish start to bunch up in the creeks. If you prefer to fish the main lake, you can target the spotted bass with a drop shot or a Spot Remover. The spotted bass will gang up on the timber edges in 30 to 40 feet of water.”

Linesides: “Without a doubt the most exciting thing going on up here has been the schooling stripers,” said Josh. “I have never seen the fish school up here like they have this year. It started back in July, and it’s still going on. Just about every morning and afternoon you can find them schooling on the lower end of the lake. Most of the fish are 1 to 3 pounds; however, since the water has cooled down we have caught some bigger fish mixed in. The fish will bite about anything, but it’s hard to put down a Scrounger-head jig when you’re catching one on every cast.” Guide Steve Crenshaw said he’s been catching fish on downlines in water 30 feet deep and has seen good schooling early and late.

Crappie: The fish are holding in 14 to 20 feet of water over brushpiles and around bridge pilings. The trolling bite on creek channels has been hit-or-miss.