Fish Will Move Shallower as Spring Approaches
Capt. Preston Harden
February 26, 2013
Lake Hartwell - Freshwater Fishing Report
Water temperature 52°
Water level 8 feet below full pool
The fish are moving shallow as we transition from winter to spring. The stripers and hybrids are in the main creeks and up the main rivers. As we go into March, the fish are staging in 25 to 30 feet, soon to move up on the banks.
March is my favorite month of the year as I am going around the banks throwing small flukes just like I was bass fishing. As the water temperature rises through the 50s the fish will relate to the banks mostly in the afternoon. This is not a morning bite, as the fish move shallow in the afternoon as the water warms. Don't be in a hurry to get on the water early, but plan on fishing till dark.
Any small bait that mimics a small shad will work. Do not throw a big bait , stay with a small fluke or a bucktail jig and fluke and work it real slowly. Concentrate on the main creeks of the Tugaloo and Seneca River. This pattern will work through April, but by 1 April the morning bite will be better. They do not eat live bait good in March but they will in April. Any boat with a trolling motor that can fish the banks like fishing for bass will catch these fish.
Pictured above is a 12 pound striper caught on Feb. 16, 2013.
Capt. Preston Harden
www.bucktailguideservice.com
Lake Hartwell, GA
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