Hartwell report 3/4/16

After fighting the wind it seems like forever I finally had a morning and most of the afternoon without much wind on Hartwell. The cold rain we had the night before had the water temps down from the other lakes I have been on but this being the first trip of the year to Hartwell I wasn't sure what the temps had been being. I scouted a new part of the lake last summer that I had never fished so that is where I decided to go. Leaving the dock the water was very clear and 52 degrees so wasn't sure what I would find. Went to the creek run I wanted to fish. Started fishing some laydowns with a hair jig and cork but not seeing anything after an hour I pulled the longline rods out and began longlining in 30' depth with 1/16 oz jigs. The water was still clear at this point but I could see that I was going to hit some stained water soon. Long story short I pulled for two hours without a crappie in the boat and only two 14'' bass to count for my time. I had worked my way to the back of the creek and was pulling in 15' depths, hard stained water and the temps had climbed to 57 and the reason I stayed in the area I was marking a lot of bait and also seeing what I thought was fish holding on the bottom. Finally at 1:30 I caught my first crappie and she was loaded down with eggs. Wasn't long and the bite picked up, never fast but enough to keep me happy. Now knowing the crappie were moving to the shallow water as the day heated the water I pulled jigs until 4:30 catching some good fish and throwing back as many fish as went in the livewell.

The first picture is of my "fish finder turned on and working!

Attachment 230991

For everyone that has been fighting the wind, here is a picture of what a lake looks like without wind!!!

Attachment 230992

A few fish from the day and the livewell shot of a good limit,

Attachment 230993Attachment 230994Attachment 230995Attachment 230996Attachment 230997

Great trip Ronnie. I found the same thing at Murray. It was after 1PM before the bite picked up. I quit about 3 o'clock as I was getting a bit shop worn and still had to drive home and do all the house keeping stuff with the boat and fish. Sure seems like they turn on as the afternoon sun warms things up.
Good to see Roscoe back on point. You had the cover on the DF, guess with him up front you don't need it. :Rofl
Nice mess of fish.

That is the way to stay with them and catch a limit. Thanks for sharing I think I will try the hill Monday as I did not go this weekend

Excellent trip, Ronnie. The fish have been pretty scattered for me and I've covered a lot of ground to fill the box. Glad you found em piled up late in the afternoon.

Good job sticking with it until you found 'em. Looks like you caught some good fish too. Just gotta love that stained water huh. Enjoyed the post and love the pictures. Congrats.:)

Good job.

Hey, you know how to hurt some feelings don't you. Great trip! I know you felt good getting the live well full. Glad you got on them. Hope we get some calm days soon. Tired of chapped skin and wind blown hair .:Rofl
Thanks for the report, man you did good. The fish finder never fails does it.:highfive

good job Stumpy glad you got on um and got you a box full
thanks for the report and pics.

Good catch and report Ronnie

Great job ! Hey is that fishfinder set on down scan or side imaging ?