Get up creeks for Hartwell bass

In the heat of August, bass fishing at sprawling Lake Hartwell can be quite a challenge.

“A lot of fish are suspended now, and that’s a tough fish to catch,” says Gerald Foster.

But a good number of bass chasers have found plenty of action in recent days by being “up the creeks,” so to speak. And daybreak is the time to be there.”This is the time of year when a lot of baitfish (shad and blueback herring) are starting to move up the creeks, looking for cooler water,” Foster said. “And the bass follow them up into the creeks.”

Foster, who will celebrate his 20th year as proprietor at The Fishing Hole (864-654-9315) in Seneca on Aug. 19, said that morning’s first light can signal a surface-feeding frenzy on many creeks, including Martin’s Creek and around Cherry Crossing on the Seneca arm of the reservoir.

Most of the catches are largemouth bass, ranging in size from 1 pound up to 4 or 5 pounds. Limits are a distinct possibility, and good mornings may result in the catch-and-release of 20 or more bass.

“Usually it’s better if they happen to be running water (through the dam),” Foster said. “This kind of kicks them on because the water’s moving stuff around. Rainy or overcast mornings make the fishing better, too.”

Foster recommends casting into the schooling fish with topwater plugs such as the time-tested Zara Spook, Super Flukes or Sammy 100s. He says the bass tend to be found over points and above drops on the ends of points. Schooling may continue for a couple of hours after first light, perhaps longer on days when the water’s moving.

“It gives bass fishermen an alternative on these hot days,” Foster said. “The bass know what’s coming. The days are already getting shorter, and they’re starting to feed up.”

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