I may fish clean flats during April and May, but they usually will be near a channel.". After the sun gets high go to the rivers and use the bream and shad colored crank baits in the pockets can get a strike. Get In Touch! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How do you catch the big bass on Lake Hartwell? The striper bite is ON! Hit the lake early this time of year for some incredibly fast action! [ Charters || Reports If you ever have the opportunity to go striper fishing on Lake Hartwell, I strongly encourage you to do it. The lake is impounded by the Hartwell Dam on the Savannah River. Bob Redfern's Outdoor Magazine 1.04K subscribers 2.1K views 1 year ago Bob heads to Clemson, South Carolina to striper fish in Lake Hartwell. On a cool, overcast and damp fall day we set out from Big Oaks Landing in search of striper in the big water near the Lake Hartwell Dam. var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; For a FREE! He has since expanded the blog to include gear reviews, fishing reports, and even recipes for cooking up your catch. Brandon will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. The other deal is subject to the same booking conditions youve opted for with See sunk boats! Like other sports, having the right gear and an experienced coach is the best way to get started. There is no closed season. I was solidly hooked to the first striper of the day. By now, I realized he was serous about the fast-paced action he was expecting. Lake Hartwell and my boat stays in the water ready to go. This means: It is for the same fishing charter, package and date(s), It has identical amenities attached (including the meal plan, cancellation policy, To catch fish all year the latest technology takes all the guess work out of where they live. As I found out that day, when Chip Hamilton said, "Get ready, here he comes," you'd better be close to your fishing rod. If youre visiting Lake Hartwell for fishing, a guide can help you have a more successful trip because they know the lake and the fish that live in it. There are many schools of fish on off shore structure that the typical angler never knows are there. Chris showed me how to use his fishfinder/chartplotter combo to identify the most active spots near Big Oaks ramp in Hartwell. Spend the day using the latest electronics. Either way, while Hybrids fight harder, Stripers are still capable of putting on a show when you hook them. On the morning we fished, he was casting blueback herring off a point while the sky was still very dark. But as the water continues to warm, the fish will leave the rivers and creeks in favor of the main lake. Whether youre heading to Lake Hartwell as an experienced angler or a newcomer to the fishing world, Lake Hartwell fishing guides will make sure you get the most out of your fishing trip. Be sure to tell us what book with the order. For example, if youre specifically looking for giant Bass fishing, Lake Hartwell Largemouth Bass fishing guides will be able to help you out. So if youd like to give your muscles a workout, the Catfish action starts in late winter on Lake Hartwell. A memorable striper guide fishing trip for anglers in and around Greenville, SC and all surrounding areas.Is a phone call away! If you are interested in doing some Lake Hartwell striper fishing this winter, and you want to know about the best way of hooking monster striped bass, we would highly recommend that you use artificial lures rather than live bait. With numerous creeks, coves, and river arms, as well as complex bottom terrain, Lake Hartwell is a Bass fishing heaven. (A) It is unlawful to possess more than two blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) greater than thirty-two inches in length in any one day in Lake Marion, Lake Moultrie, or the upper reach of the Santee River, the Congaree and Wateree rivers, and all other state waterways. So how do you tell the difference? var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; This means its all about timing your trip right and working the coastal cover where the fish might be hiding. Hamilton said that almost all of the places he will fish have a link to the deeper water in the area. In the next 10 minutes, we caught two more and missed two bites. On the screen, we soon saw a flush of golden arches that told us we were in the right place. For Marine Services including Trolling Motor repairs, Sonar/GPS electronics service, boat detailing, engine service, as well as installation contact Ryan ONeal at 678 570 8601 or by e mail at, The Gainesville Times Outdoor Show is June 10, 2023 at the North Georgia Premium Outlet in Dawsonville, Georgia. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. That means youll have an even more successful crappie fishing trip with the lake Hartwell crappie fishing guides. Bring the boat. Sure, you might not get the same variety of spots, but it doesnt mean youll go home skunked. Find Us On: Southern Obsession Fishing Charters. "We seldom see a lot of shad-ripping topwater schooling during May as we might during the hot months," Hamilton said. addy42daba66c607304c91dbf2f7c7885477 = addy42daba66c607304c91dbf2f7c7885477 + 'att' + '.' + 'net'; Hartwell: Level: 0.9 feet above 660. le-de-France. Photo by Terry Madewell. Fish are beginning to show up in their usual summertime haunts on Lake Hartwell. This involves 5 to 8-hour trips, mainly fishing for Hybrid Striped Bass and Bass, depending on the season and conditions on the day. There are two main reasons why you should look into fishing guides: Choosing a guide comes down to personal preference, but there are a few things you should consider: Lake Hartwell Fishing Report April 23rd 2023, Lake Hartwell Fishing Report April 07th 2023, Lake Hartwell Fishing Report April 01st 2023. "One of my favorite areas is to fish the clean humps that rise up from the deep water in the larger creeks and rivers," Hamilton said. Early use the small all white trick worms or a small 1/4 ounce white buzz bait. Hartwell striper guide Chip Hamilton with a nice striped bass near the Lake Hartwell dam. The le-de-France rgion - the 12,000 sq km 'Island of France' shaped by five rivers that encircles the French capital - contains splendid architecture including some of the most monumental chteaux in the country, set amid magnificent gardens. Since Lake Hartwell is so diverse, the Bass patterns are not always easy to figure out. If you haven't enjoyed this type of striper fishing, now's the time and Lake Hartwell is the place. Plus I'll use the larger herring when targeting a big striper. Nonetheless, December is the prime time to make those large catches! And even if the worst happens and you dont catch any fish, youll get to experience the surrounding nature and the lakes breathtaking scenery. During this period, the fish go on a hard feed, especially once the temperature in the water hits between 57 and 58 degrees. The fish (the whopper) weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces. But fishs stomachs are , Use large-sized baits such as dead bluegill, live chubs, water dogs, crayfish and frogs when seeking larger catfish. Can you eat fish from Lake Hartwell 2020? var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; However, youre more likely to find them up in creek arms and around shallow cover in spring and fall, and in the main lake during summer. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. A drop shot rig consists of line tied to a hook with a trailing leader that comes to an end with a weight so that the weight is at the bottom and the hook and bait are above it. Anglers know it as a fantastic bass fishing lake, with species like stripers, large and smallmouths, spots, and hybrid stripers present. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Depending on the time of year you visit Lake Hartwell, you can pretty much reel in all of its species from shore, although probably not in a single visit. But if youre ok with a short trip with basic equipment, your cost will be less. With that pattern, he said he has an outstanding chance of success on a daily basis. Then it's literally action as fast as you can crank them in. Lake Hartwell is known for it's Striped Bass and Hybrid fishing, but also holds good populations of Largemouth Bass, Crappie and Catfish. Sometimes, when one bites, the other fish literally go on a feeding frenzy and the action is wild. Kyle, his daddy Tim, and Kyles boss/buddy Roger toughed out the storms to catch a nice limit is quality Lake Hartwell hybrids today! It does not store any personal data. I fish year round at least five days a week. More bait ideas: check out these personalized fishing lures! "Another excellent place I focus on is the end of long, sloping points. There is a lot of Lake Hartwell hybrid fishing and striper fishing, and it is common to have limits on quality fish. Copy send us an email to, We have our Southern Fishing Schools Inc. recommended Tackle Box List for Bass fishing Striper Fishing and Crappie Fishing. Royston and Lavonia on the Georgia side of the lake. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Usually, the fishing starts in the Tugaloo and Seneca River arms in spring and remains strong over summer, when fish move deep into the lake. As the waters warm up, theyll move to more shallow regions of the lake. Theyll take you to places with plenty of action and focus on fish even your young ones can reel in. I trout fish out west and chase red fish in Louisiana, but stripers and hybrids "Sometimes I'll have a client who wishes to focus on trophy stripers," Hamilton said. For the most popular fishing spot in Georgia, Lake Hartwell has an abundance of panfish, trout, striped bass, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, catfish, and bream. When youre on a lake, on a calm day, you can access all of its spots aboard a kayak. The lake is inhabited by striped and hybrid bass, largemouth, crappie, bream and catfish. I specialize in striped bass, hybrids, and largemouth bass is sometimes caught with the catch. The way you fish, the bait you choose, and even the way they fight on the line is all different. Rodney Donald. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. Great catch guys. With a variety of habitats and depths, anglers can find plenty of fish to reel in. Before he got the second rig out, I had one hooked on the first rod. Thats where the smaller fish that striped bass like to eat gather, and thats where you want to drop your bait. See below details. These are the fish that typically are feeding. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I fish out of a Bass Tracker Pro team set up for Crappie. According to the World Health Organization, water temperatures ranging from 78 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit are generally comfortable and safe for those engaging in moderate physical activity in a pool. "Fortunately, that's what occurs during May and into the summer. How do you catch the big bass on Lake Hartwell? If you want an in-depth educational experience for Lake Hartwell fishing, youll likely pay more. Some popular ones include stinkbait, cut herring, bream, or gizzard shad. While I had thought we'd already seen some fast action, I took him seriously this time. "As the water begins to warm, the fish begin their migration down the rivers and creeks toward the main river on Lake Hartwell," Hamilton said. So here are a few tips to help you get the best results. Down lake the Lunker Lure buzz baits with all white skirts and silver blades is fair run and gun docks. You have contacted us immediately after booking with all the details of the other deal Receive the coordinates and then load them into the GPS unit. I learned that on a trip to this deep, clear lake last spring. Youll even get to catch them in the fall, all the way until the waters get really cold. Our On the Water SONAR School is designed to teach anglers how to read all the latest technology. And fishing is no fun if you dont know what youre doing and the fish dont bite. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. I'll use freeline rigs over a long, sloping point that drops into deep water or over a clean ridge near deep water. And fishing is no fun if you don't know what you're doing and the fish don't bite. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The drop shot rig can even be fished from shore. For a FREE! My home is about 50 yards from So no matter which one you end up trying to reel in, youre in for a fun time. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. On the Tugaloo Side, concentrate your search from Harbor Light Marina to the dam. At least it was that way when I fished with Chip Hamilton. Copy send us an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. Bordering on Georgia and South Carolina, Lake Hartwell is one of the most popular recreational lakes in the American Southeast. Youll get to read about the species you can catch in these waters and a few ways to do so. and I fish with a fly much of the time. document.getElementById('cloakb3830160b20ac384a33c00e8868cca75').innerHTML = ''; There is no closed season. How many Bassmaster Classics have been on Lake Hartwell? To make the most of your fishing trip to Lake Hartwell, consider enlisting the help of a Lake Hartwell fishing guide. However, pound-for-pound, Hybrid Striped Bass will grace you with a more thrilling fight. For every one foot increase (or decrease) in lake level, monthly visits to USACE recreation sites on Hartwell Lake increased (or decreased) by nearly 21,200 visitors. Bring the boat. It may not be as well-known as its neighbor Florida, but that actually works in your favor. There are times during the spring when I think big bait may actually be a turnoff, even for the larger fish.". SCDHEC recommends that no fish be eaten that are caught in Twelve Mile Creek or in the Seneca River Arm of Lake Hartwell. The lake has over 56,000 acres and over 900 miles of shoreline. During the spring portion of the year, the favored structures are underwater features that are sometimes relatively clean and void of trees and brush. Just book your next fishing adventure and be sure youll have a lot of fun! The consumption advisory for the main body of the lake recommends that people limit consumption of channel catfish and largemouth bass to one meal (eight ounces) per month. var addy_text2e61d0483eacc2f33d6364f811441899 = 'kensturdivant' + '@' + 'att' + '.' + 'net';document.getElementById('cloak2e61d0483eacc2f33d6364f811441899').innerHTML += ''+addy_text2e61d0483eacc2f33d6364f811441899+'<\/a>'; Check out www.NOEoutdoors.com for tackle Tournaments Expos and Podcast. Anglers need to know how to load these into the electronics. "I love it when a plan comes together:" Thomas Allen may have missed a day-starting coffee and chill time, but his planning before a recent turkey hunt in Minnesota had him ready when gobblers showed up earlier than expected, and just before an April winter storm blew in. with all up to date electronics to make your fishing experience that won't be forgotten. Stripers put up a good fight on the line which makes striper fishing a lot of fun! There are plenty of bridges and plenty of crappie. He explained that the lake is impounded by the Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the junction of the Tugaloo and Seneca rivers. Often he'll spot a fish that moves up to take a bait before the rod tip goes down. Hamilton said the first consideration for consistent success is the water temperature transition occurring at this time of the year. Striper Fishing Lake Hartwell | Southern Comfort Striper Guide - Lake Hartwell, SC | (864) 444-1591 Striper Fishing When you book a striper fishing trip with me, you are booking a reel-in adventure! We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. Casting out away from the bank and letting the rig fall til it hits bottom or the line goes slack. Since the basic feeding pattern of the stripers and hybrids is to gorge on roaming baitfish during spring, a live 4- to 6-inch blueback herring is the perfect size to catch the fish. You have to get right on top of them to get their attention. We use Lowrance but all the other companies machines do exactly the same thing. The hybrids will usually average in the 5- to 7-pound class on Hartwell. My company, Southern Comfort Striper Guide, is based in Anderson, South Carolina, where I have more than 25 years of experience fishing on beautiful Lake Hartwell. All seminars are subject to change without notice. Home| About us | Guide Service | Southern Fishing School |Contacts. Check or money orders only. , Best Answer From Peter in Australia: A hook will rust away in a fish, but it may take a while, especially if the hook is plated or made of thick metal. 1080 Mountain Springs Road Anderson, SC 29621 Telephone: (864) 444-1591, Copyright Southern Comfort Striper Guide 2023 All Rights Reserved Photo Gallery Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, GA. Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting seminars are the last Saturday of each month. BASS FISHING LAKE LANIER, BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL BOOK, BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA BOOK, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL BOOK and BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE BOOK. Bass fishing is good. It may seem odd, yet in November it can often be difficult to go fishing. This spring and summer don't miss the outstanding fishing going on at Lake Hartwell. A quick hookset response typically ensures a bruising striper or a hard-fighting hybrid is on the business end of the rig. var addy_text0440f2dbd571866b6cba5156f0f095c9 = 'oneal.ryan' + '@' + 'gmail' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloak0440f2dbd571866b6cba5156f0f095c9').innerHTML += ''+addy_text0440f2dbd571866b6cba5156f0f095c9+'<\/a>'; Theyre scent hunters so bring bait that theyll be able to sniff out. This is time well spent, he said. document.getElementById('cloak2e61d0483eacc2f33d6364f811441899').innerHTML = ''; Three Black Bass species inhabit Lake Hartwell. What kind of license do I need to fish in Lake Hartwell? Because of this, it boasts a vibrant and diverse ecosystem, giving fish a fantastic habitat to thrive in. Most of the fish are now being caught from the middle of the lake past Portman Marina all the way to the dam on the Seneca River side. For a FREE! Clarity: Most of the lake clear with some stain in the creeks. "But being right on target can be a real key to success during this time. If we can't match the rate of the other deal because one of the above conditions is Stripers are opportunistic feeders meaning they arent going to come hunting your bait from afar. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; What is a comfortable water temperature for swimming? They include Spotted and Largemouth Bass, as well as Bartrams Redeye, which have mostly been outcompeted by the former two. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Out of countless game fish in the US, none is more loved than the mighty Bass. The Gainesville Times Outdoor Show is June 10, 2023 at the North Georgia Premium Outlet in Dawsonville, Georgia. A five-minute boat run ensued and we quickly worked the same setup. In that case, if you don't mark fish on the bottom or don't get any bites there, put your bait just above the depth where the mass of fish are marked on the graph. So, as you can likely tell by now, Lake Hartwell is incredibly diverse. For more information contact Mega Smart 770 535 6371 or, We have the 2023 Best Days for Fishing from BassMaster Magazine. Area: 12,012 km2. following conditions are met: Popular with anglers looking for Striped Bass fishing charters in Lake Hartwell. In terms of size, Ile-de-France contains about 23.7% of the surface of France, but it is where 88.6% of the French population lives. Use a fishfinder to hover over groups of stripers Either way, he said that boat position is a real key to success. My son reeled in the first fish of the night within minutes of setting out our bait, but there were times throughout the evening when the fish were curious but not biting. Shes powered by a 150 HP Yamaha engine and a wireless trolling motor. Now, consider that Blue and Flathead Catfish can reach weights upwards of 100 pounds. When fishing for Lake Hartwell stripers during the month of May, getting an early start to the fishing can be a really good idea. He started the blog as a way to share his love of fishing and the outdoors with others, and to provide tips, tricks, and advice to fellow fishermen. Lake Hartwell fishing report, updated weekly to keep you informed on the latest patterns and fishing conditions Lake Hartwell We have open dates for our "On the Water" SONAR SCHOOL. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. That means youve got to act fast or your line and pole can be yanked into the water. He slipped three rods into rod holders and the waiting began. var addycfa53d99eafcf03da35978b674e888ab = 'kensturdivant' + '@'; You can get up-to-date information on Lake Hartwell fish regulations by visiting South Carolinas Department of Natural Resources. We use Lowrance units, but we teach all brands. They inherit their fighting ferocity from one of their parent species, White Bass. Striped bass are strong fish that grab your bait and dart away, so reeling them in can be a big fight. I'll bait with live blueback herring. The 2018 Classic, with fishing on Hartwell and weigh-ins and Expo in Greenville, set a record attendance of 143,323. You will be chasing Striped Bass, Hybrid Striped Bass, Spotted Bass, Largemouth Bass, White Perch, and Crappie! Typically, I won't fish as deep. Allowable Nongame Devices ( Marking of Nongame Devices) "We still have a half hour to find them feeding in the shallows," he said. What kind of hook do you use for drop shot? 2.18K subscribers Subscribe 8.9K views 6 years ago The Striped Bass Challenge the largest fresh water. Usually, the fishing starts in the Tugaloo and Seneca River arms in spring and remains strong over summer, when fish move deep into the lake. Man-made brushpiles are just about the only form of shallow cover available for Lake Hartwell crappie. kensturdivant@att.net APRIL 21, 2023 LAKE HARTWELL IS .80 FEET OVER FULL, 70'S The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". "Topwater schooling action is heart-stopping exciting, especially when there are some 10- to 20-pound stripers ripping baitfish to shreds on the water's surface. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. BASS FISHING LAKE LANIER, BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL BOOK, BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA BOOK, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL BOOK and BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE BOOK. That's a 'B' as in 'bonus.' Blue Catfish grow the biggest of the three, followed by Flathead. We set out 6 rods around the boat and watched for the rods to bend straight down. Catfish Often, I can predict to my clients when a fish is about to bite. Since the lake is situated on the border between Georgia and South Carolina, you can fish in its waters with either states license.