To say we had a mild winter is quite an understatement. And although we may not be out of the woods yet, the mild temps have the fish biting.
About any where you go the fish are chewin’, from lake Murray to the south, all the way up to lake James and anywhere in between. Fishing reports are of good numbers and good size.
Lake Hartwell
The largemouth and spotted bass fishing is good. Jay Orr who fishes tournaments there regularly reports fish are being caught on jigs and shallow diving crankbaits and soft plastics in the backs of creeks. Late evening is the best time to fish these areas. Some fish will still be staging on main points at the mouths of major creeks but he expects them to head shallow shortly.
Lake Adger
The bass fishing is excellent again this spring on Adger. Many reports and pics have come to me of fish from 5-9 pounds the fish are biting spinner baits and medium diving crankbaits good. They are biting worms some too, but your chances of a bigger fish this time of year goes up if you fish spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
The muskie are cooperating as well. Aaron Ruff caught and released a 42” muskie recently, after his fishing partner had broke off on one the day before. The fish annihilated his spinnerbait. Bass size spinnerbaits are probably one of the best lures to catch a muskie on there is.
Lake Lure
The white bass are staging up to head to the river for their spawn. Fish were still a little deep but will shallow up with the recent warm streak. The crappie were not up yet, but that should change quickly too.
The largemouth are hitting medium size crankbaits and of course a spinnerbait is good on those cloudy days. If you don’t mind fishing slow, some of the bigger fish I’ve caught on Lake Lure is in March on a pig and jig. If the bite is slow on the cranks, fish the same areas with a jig and hold on!
Green River
While the general waters are closed in March, the delayed harvest section remains open and is fishing good. Jeremy Orr reports seeing and catching some quality rainbows, and a good number of smaller browns. I feel the delayed harvest sections of rivers is one of the best things the NCWRC has done in recent years. Providing some excellent fishing during the release part of the season.
Don’t forget the general trout waters open on Saturday, April 7.