An inside look at Lake Hartwell

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I spent the day on Lake Hartwell with Davy Hite, a name on the Bassmaster media crew that is no stranger to championships in bass fishing. Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion and two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, broke down Hartwell from top to bottom.
I spent the day on Lake Hartwell with Davy Hite, a name on the Bassmaster media crew that is no stranger to championships in bass fishing. Hite, the 1999 Bassmaster Classic champion and two-time Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year, broke down Hartwell from top to bottom.
We launched the boat at Green Pond Landing and Event Center, the location of take-off for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK'S Sporting Goods.
We launched the boat at Green Pond Landing and Event Center, the location of take-off for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
The 2018 Classic take-off will be equipped with a new dock system, and a land bridge from the U.S. National Guard that will give fans plenty of space to see the world championship of bass fishing.
The 2018 Classic take-off will be equipped with a new dock system, and a land bridge from the U.S. National Guard that will give fans plenty of space to see the world championship of bass fishing.
Hite starts the day looking at his Humminbird units, equipped with LakeMaster graphs, allowing him to see each break in contour on Lake Hartwell.
Hite starts the day looking at his Humminbird units, equipped with LakeMaster graphs, allowing him to see each break in contour on Lake Hartwell.
“The lake will be broken down into three different sections, each that will play a role in the Classic,” Hite said. “Down lake, mid lake, and the rivers.”
“The lake will be broken down into three different sections, each that will play a role in the Classic,” Hite said. “Down lake, mid lake, and the rivers.”
First we headed down the lake, towards the Lake Hartwell Dam.
First we headed down the lake, towards the Lake Hartwell Dam.
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One of the structural features that will come into play on Hartwell, is the abundance of shoals covering the lake.
One of the structural features that will come into play on Hartwell, is the abundance of shoals covering the lake.
The shoals, that spread from the dam to the river, are mainstays in most every tournament on Hartwell.
The shoals, that spread from the dam to the river, are mainstays in most every tournament on Hartwell.
“This Classic will be interesting; the lake is up higher than I have seen it in years,” Hite said. “The rain anticipated could bring Hartwell close to full pool, putting grass, like dogfennel, and other shoreline grasses into play.”
“This Classic will be interesting; the lake is up higher than I have seen it in years,” Hite said. “The rain anticipated could bring Hartwell close to full pool, putting grass, like dogfennel, and other shoreline grasses into play.”
Hartwell’s shoals have different rock varieties that fish hold to throughout the year…
Hartwell’s shoals have different rock varieties that fish hold to throughout the year…
And some are bare red clay banks that taper off into the depths of the lake.
And some are bare red clay banks that taper off into the depths of the lake.
The Hartwell Dam impounds the Savannah River, at the South Carolina and Georgia border.
The Hartwell Dam impounds the Savannah River, at the South Carolina and Georgia border.
The clear water near the dam, proved fruitful in the two previous Classics, with water levels from 20-feet below pool in 2008 and 10-feet below normal pool in 2015.
The clear water near the dam, proved fruitful in the two previous Classics, with water levels from 20-feet below pool in 2008 and 10-feet below normal pool in 2015.
Throughout the lake, but prominently towards the dam, seagulls and other bait-oriented birds were apparent.
Throughout the lake, but prominently towards the dam, seagulls and other bait-oriented birds were apparent.
“Anytime there is a tournament on a herring fed lake like Hartwell, and other lakes in the Carolinas, the birds are important to pay attention to.”
“Anytime there is a tournament on a herring fed lake like Hartwell, and other lakes in the Carolinas, the birds are important to pay attention to.”
Though the lake is up further than normal, the lake is still 3 to 4 feet below normal pool.
Though the lake is up further than normal, the lake is still 3 to 4 feet below normal pool.
Hite zips up as the temperatures on Lake Hartwell are mild, but not nearly as cold as the two previous Classics held on the reservoir.
Hite zips up as the temperatures on Lake Hartwell are mild, but not nearly as cold as the two previous Classics held on the reservoir.
We stop by some interesting looking landscapes on the way up the lake.
We stop by some interesting looking landscapes on the way up the lake.
“The chunk rock on some of these shoals create an ideal place for the bass to hang out and ambush bait,” Hite said.
“The chunk rock on some of these shoals create an ideal place for the bass to hang out and ambush bait,” Hite said.
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Before we head too far up the lake, Hite reads the water temperature nearing 59 degrees, mid-lake.
Before we head too far up the lake, Hite reads the water temperature nearing 59 degrees, mid-lake.
When we made it up the lake towards the river arms, we explored a few different creeks and found water temperatures in the high 60’s. </p> </p>“These fish could very well be spawning,” Hite said. “I expect the shallow water bite to play a bigger factor in this Classic than the previous two.”
When we made it up the lake towards the river arms, we explored a few different creeks and found water temperatures in the high 60’s.
“These fish could very well be spawning,” Hite said. “I expect the shallow water bite to play a bigger factor in this Classic than the previous two.”
Floating docks are plentiful on Hartwell due to the frequent water fluctuation of the lake.
Floating docks are plentiful on Hartwell due to the frequent water fluctuation of the lake.
“With the rising water and warmer water temperatures, an angler could repeat multiple shallow water days in this Classic, and be competitive, compared to the first two,” Hite said.
“With the rising water and warmer water temperatures, an angler could repeat multiple shallow water days in this Classic, and be competitive, compared to the first two,” Hite said.
In 2008, Charlie Hartley lead Day 1 after catching 21 pounds, 1 ounce, of Hartwell bass off of docks.
In 2008, Charlie Hartley lead Day 1 after catching 21 pounds, 1 ounce, of Hartwell bass off of docks.
Dean Rojas followed form on Day 1 of the 2015 Classic, with 21 pounds, 2 ounces.
Dean Rojas followed form on Day 1 of the 2015 Classic, with 21 pounds, 2 ounces.
“We saw heavy limits brought in from shallow water fishing in 2008 and 2015, but they did not replenish,” Hite explained.
“We saw heavy limits brought in from shallow water fishing in 2008 and 2015, but they did not replenish,” Hite explained.
“With the water as high as it is, Hartwell will be a different animal.”
“With the water as high as it is, Hartwell will be a different animal.”
Docks cover the lake, as Hartwell is a popular residential lake.
Docks cover the lake, as Hartwell is a popular residential lake.
The backs of the creeks are covered with dogfennel, a plant in the sunflower family, native to the eastern and south-central United States.
The backs of the creeks are covered with dogfennel, a plant in the sunflower family, native to the eastern and south-central United States.
Fishing enthusiasts were scattered throughout the lake, during the nice spring day.
Fishing enthusiasts were scattered throughout the lake, during the nice spring day.
Another look at the vegetation that is flooded in the shallows of Hartwell.
Another look at the vegetation that is flooded in the shallows of Hartwell.
Marinas on lakes with a strong spotted bass population seem to always be filled with fish.
Marinas on lakes with a strong spotted bass population seem to always be filled with fish.
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Hite fully expects the 2018 Classic to have fish weighed in all stages of spawn. </p> <p> “Fish will be weighed from deep to shallow water,” Hite said. “This Classic could be like one we haven’t seen before.”
Hite fully expects the 2018 Classic to have fish weighed in all stages of spawn.
“Fish will be weighed from deep to shallow water,” Hite said. “This Classic could be like one we haven’t seen before.”
The sunsets on Lake Hartwell…
The sunsets on Lake Hartwell…
... as the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is nearing, March 16-18.
… as the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods is nearing, March 16-18.