Have we got an update for you this week. Our submissions come courtesy of John Kirkemo, who does his fishing in the Palmetto State these days, from what we semi-jokingly refer to as the “southeast field office” of Troy Jackson Outdoors. He is on a bite down there and his reports from the past week feature three species: spotted bass, striped bass, and a channel catfish.

Editor’s note: Spotted bass are a member of the black bass genus along with the largemouth bass; thus, the Top 5 totals will combine these two species. Similarly, variations and hybridization among striped/temperate bass will result in all submissions being assigned to the striped bass category.

Spotted Bass

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-1 (14”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 22
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the low 60s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: This fish was caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6 to 10 feet of water and was released in good condition.

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-11 (16”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 23
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted bass
Weight: 1-13 (15”)
Angler: John H. Kirkemo
Date: April 23
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: Both fish were caught while trolling at 1.61-1.71 mph along the shoreline in 6 to 10 feet of water and were released in good condition.

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 1-1 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Clear sky with bright sun; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 1-3 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Clear sky with bright sun; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 2-0 (16.5”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala

Fish: Spotted Bass
Weight: 2-8 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 26
Weather: Cloudy sky. Air temperature high 60s to low 70s.
Water Temperature: 70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: The above fish were caught while trolling at 1.68-1.73 mph in 6 to 10 feet of water. The fish were released in good condition.
Lake Hartwell is 56,000 acres with a shoreline of 962 miles. I fished the lake every day this week (Week of April 22) but only a small area next to the Springfield Corps of Engineers campground near Anderson, SC. I have seen only a few bass fishermen. The anglers are casting to shoreline structure or fishing the underwater drop-offs. There is impressive structure consisting of downed trees and docks that could be holding bass, but I haven’t seen any fish near any of the structure.
Top 5 Weight: 9-7 (2-8,2-0,1-13,1-11,1-7) culls a 1-5

Striped Bass

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 2-6 (17”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 22
Weather: Bright sunny day with air temperatures in the low 60s
Water Temperature: 68-70 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: This was my first ever hybrid striped bass. Caught while trolling in open water.

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 1-0 (13”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 27
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 60s.
Water Temperature: 68 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and black, 3.5” shallow running Rapala
Comments: The lure was cast to a spot between two partially submerged trees. I saw the fish hit the lure as the lure approached the boat on the retrieve.

Fish: Hybrid Striped Bass
Weight: 3-5 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 27
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC
Lure: Silver and blue shallow running jointed Rebel
Comments: Fish were seen surface feeding, so I trolled the lure in the area until the fish hit. The fish was strong and made a long run taking line against the drag. I kept pressure on the fish and was able to bring him to the net. The fish was released in good condition.
Top 5 Weight: 6-11 (3-5,2-6,1-0)

Channel Catfish

Fish: Catfish
Weight: 2-3 (19”)
Angler: John Kirkemo
Date: April 25
Weather: Partly cloudy skies; air temperature low 70s.
Water Temperature: 68-71 degrees
Location: Lake Hartwell, Southeast of Anderson, SC:
Lure: Silver and black, 4.5” shallow running Rapala
Top 5 Weight: 2-3 (2-3)

Well done, John, and keep them coming. It is a treat to see variety in species beyond the largemouth bass. In addition, seeing fish from outside the Land of Lincoln is also cool. For those of us locals, it looks like the April showers are going to dampen early May but here’s hoping we can dodge the drops and get bit. Talk to you later. Troy