First look flyover of Hartwell

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It’s Monday, February 28, 2022, a scouting day for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Meet Hunter Bond, a graduate student in computer science at Clemson University, who also fishes on the bass fishing team. He’s my boat driver for an aerial tour of Lake Hartwell. Come along for the ride.
It’s Monday, February 28, 2022, a scouting day for the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Meet Hunter Bond, a graduate student in computer science at Clemson University, who also fishes on the bass fishing team. He’s my boat driver for an aerial tour of Lake Hartwell. Come along for the ride.
By midday the temperature had warmed to the mid-50s, after overnight lows in the 30s. This is the view of Andersonville Island, one of the largest on the lake.
By midday the temperature had warmed to the mid-50s, after overnight lows in the 30s. This is the view of Andersonville Island, one of the largest on the lake.
Andersonville Island is also near Green Pond Landing, launch site for the Classic when it begins on Friday.
Andersonville Island is also near Green Pond Landing, launch site for the Classic when it begins on Friday.
Hunter said that while the lake’s many winding creeks get most of the prespawn fishing attention, a sometimes-overlooked opportunity awaits at the islands. Spotted bass spawn there, and they grow large in Hartwell.
Hunter said that while the lake’s many winding creeks get most of the prespawn fishing attention, a sometimes-overlooked opportunity awaits at the islands. Spotted bass spawn there, and they grow large in Hartwell.
Prespawn. Transiton areas. Migration routes. Staging areas. Those will be the words of the week. What you will see in this gallery is a collection of all those textbook bass fishing terms. Docks will stand out, not surprisingly, as they have in previous Classics held here.
Prespawn. Transiton areas. Migration routes. Staging areas. Those will be the words of the week. What you will see in this gallery is a collection of all those textbook bass fishing terms. Docks will stand out, not surprisingly, as they have in previous Classics held here.
What stood out for me is the variety of the docks.
What stood out for me is the variety of the docks.
None are the same and all provide ambush points for hungry, migrating largemouth.
None are the same and all provide ambush points for hungry, migrating largemouth.
Hunter said areas such as the confluence of the Seneca River, and the main lake, are ideal areas for baitfish to school in the early morning.
Hunter said areas such as the confluence of the Seneca River, and the main lake, are ideal areas for baitfish to school in the early morning.
Proof that no two docks are the same. Some, like this dock, are located near a river channel, making them ideal for staging largemouth.
Proof that no two docks are the same. Some, like this dock, are located near a river channel, making them ideal for staging largemouth.
A view of the confluence of the Seneca River. In the foreground at left is Portman Marina, and in the background, on the far shore, is Green Pond Landing.
A view of the confluence of the Seneca River. In the foreground at left is Portman Marina, and in the background, on the far shore, is Green Pond Landing.
Back to the docks. These are located in a creek off the Seneca River. What stood out for me in this photo was the riprap placed on the shoreline, a standout feature that could be productive.
Back to the docks. These are located in a creek off the Seneca River. What stood out for me in this photo was the riprap placed on the shoreline, a standout feature that could be productive.
This textbook setup was exploited in previous Classics. The mixed prespawn habitat includes laydowns and docks, both along a creek channel.
This textbook setup was exploited in previous Classics. The mixed prespawn habitat includes laydowns and docks, both along a creek channel.
Another standout feature are the bridges, but not so much the stand-alone structures.
Another standout feature are the bridges, but not so much the stand-alone structures.
Riprap and transitionary rock are set up for ideal prespawn habitat.
Riprap and transitionary rock are set up for ideal prespawn habitat.
A key attraction near this bridge are the pockets nearby with more docks.
A key attraction near this bridge are the pockets nearby with more docks.
And nearby is the creek channel.
And nearby is the creek channel.
A look back from the Seneca River to the main lake.
A look back from the Seneca River to the main lake.
This perspective provides a view of the clarity of the lake, at least in this area. Water temperature, on average was 55 degrees in this location.
This perspective provides a view of the clarity of the lake, at least in this area. Water temperature, on average was 55 degrees in this location.
Another view of a creek channel, likely with plenty of unseen transition areas and migration routes.
Another view of a creek channel, likely with plenty of unseen transition areas and migration routes.
I call this photo the mixing of the waters. The clear trail through the dingy water was where our boat crossed to get this shot. The muddy runoff is coming from the creek in the foreground.
I call this photo the mixing of the waters. The clear trail through the dingy water was where our boat crossed to get this shot. The muddy runoff is coming from the creek in the foreground.
The day before, a cold front with heavy downpours passed through the area. This is a textbook early spring scenario where muddy water mixes with clearer water, also an ideal set up for a fluid ambush point for prespawn largemouth.
The day before, a cold front with heavy downpours passed through the area. This is a textbook early spring scenario where muddy water mixes with clearer water, also an ideal set up for a fluid ambush point for prespawn largemouth.
A wider view of the mixing of the waters, including our path through it.
A wider view of the mixing of the waters, including our path through it.
An even wider view of a springtime textbook post-front, runoff scenario.
An even wider view of a springtime textbook post-front, runoff scenario.
This cove is void of an incoming water source, and thus, the reason why the water is clearer.
This cove is void of an incoming water source, and thus, the reason why the water is clearer.
Aerial view of a textbook examples of how docks can function as staging areas, transition areas and even spawning areas.
Aerial view of a textbook examples of how docks can function as staging areas, transition areas and even spawning areas.
View from above of Portman Marina, located directly across the lake from Green Pond Landing.
View from above of Portman Marina, located directly across the lake from Green Pond Landing.
Will these types of docks be in play? The answer will come later in the week.
Will these types of docks be in play? The answer will come later in the week.
The State Route 24 bridge that crosses the lake, between Portman Marina and Green Pond Landing.
The State Route 24 bridge that crosses the lake, between Portman Marina and Green Pond Landing.
View from the opposite direction from a photo taken in mid-afternoon on February 28, 2022.
View from the opposite direction from a photo taken in mid-afternoon on February 28, 2022.
On Friday morning, Day 1 of the Classic, will be a much busier scene at Green Pond Landing. This is the view of the main launch ramp where the Classic anglers will launch and load.
On Friday morning, Day 1 of the Classic, will be a much busier scene at Green Pond Landing. This is the view of the main launch ramp where the Classic anglers will launch and load.
Another view of the main lake islands, this one located near Green Pond Landing. Spotted bass are known to spawn in such areas.
Another view of the main lake islands, this one located near Green Pond Landing. Spotted bass are known to spawn in such areas.
The clarity of the water provides an ideal view of how the shorelines transition into deeper water.
The clarity of the water provides an ideal view of how the shorelines transition into deeper water.