Lake Hartwell is at 660.
Striped and Hybrid Bass: Good. Captain Bill Plumley (864-287-2120) reports that striper continue to be scattered across the lake, but there is a general movement out of the rivers and into the main lake. The best action can be found near main lake coves and off points, and the majority of fish are in about 20-30 feet of water. Down lines and slowly pulled weighted free lines that are getting down to about 10-15 feet are most productive. There is also scattered schooling activity.
Catfish: Good. Captain Bill Plumley reports that the majority of blue catfish have moved out to deep water where they are difficult to target, but the channel catfish bite is strong in 3 or 4 feet of water out to 20 foot deep water across the lake. Worms, stink bait and cut herring are all working. To target a flathead anchor live bait around brush or stick-ups in 3-20 feet of water during low light conditions or at night. The best spots are on relatively shallow flats or humps but are adjacent to deep water.
Black Bass: Fair to good. Guide Brad Fowler (864-934-5813) reports that high water levels and the drawn-out spawn have combined to keep fish spread out, and consequently fishing is not as good as it sometimes is this time of year. However, a good topwater bite is developing where fish can be caught suspended off main lake points over relatively deep water. Flukes, Spooks, and swimbaits fished near the surface have been the most effective lures to bring fish up, and periodic topwater schooling activity should be found during the day. The bite for suspended fish may not be as strong as usual this summer, however, because of all of the vegetation that grew up when the lake was down. You can still catch fish beating this bank grass, and just like a few years ago after the last drought this cover should be a magnet for fish for some time. On windy days fish will come out of the grass to take spinnerbaits, but when there is no wind soft plastics including flukes, Senkos and unweighted Trick Worms are working. The herring spawn is finished.
Crappie: Slow to fair. Captain Bill Plumley reports that crappie can be caught around brush in about 20 feet of water on minnows and jigs. It’s also a good time to target bridges.
DHEC Fish Advisories: Due to PCB advisories visit http://www.scdhec.gov/environment/water/fish/Advisories/hartwell.htm before consuming any Lake Hartwell fish.
