By Preston Harden
Water temperature – Upper 50s. Water level – 5 feet below full pool
Fishing is good on Lake Hartwell. It got tough with the turnover. Now the water quality is good and fish are feeding. Most fish have moved up the lake and into the major creeks and up the rivers. Most fish are preferring small thread fin shad to large herring. They will key in on smaller shad as the water cools. I used to say that hybrids and stripers slowdown in January, but after the last two mild winters, the fish have kept feeding all winter. If the water goes below 48 degrees, most game fish do not eat much as their metabolism slows.
Who knows what this winter will bring. If we have a warm winter, fish will feed all winter. If the water gets cold, the best option is crappie. They will feed no matter how cold the water gets. They taste better from cold water. I like to work a 1/32-ounce jig and a soft plastic, very slowly, under shade. Bridges and docks 15 to 30 feet will hold schools of crappie in January. It helps to have some brush. Side scan shows the schools clearly. Pick your days in January with nice weather. Wear a lifejacket as the water will cause hypothermia in seconds.
Preston Harden / Bucktail Guide Service, 706-255-5622 / bucktailguideservice.net