Hickory shad (Alosa mediocris) Range: It occurs sporadically in the lower parts of coastal rivers, primarily in the Pee Dee, lower Santee, Cooper and Savannah. Recently this species has been collected in Lake Hartwell on the Georgia-South Carolina border, present there presumably as a result of angler introduction.
What kind of baitfish are in Lake Hartwell?
Fishing enthusiasts can pursue bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, bluegill, sunfish, striped bass and hybrid stripers. Humps, bumps, islands, points, creek channels, ledges and backwaters all over the lake provide cover for the bass and baitfish alike.
What time of year is best for Shad?
The best time to fish for shad is when they return to spawn from May until mid-July. It’s easier to catch the shad swimming upstream by facing a strong current. These fish will bite just about any small lure or fly. Small, bright colored jigs with or without bucktail or plastic grub tails are preferred by many anglers.
What fish does Lake Hartwell have?
Lake Hartwell is a fishing hotspot due to outstanding opportunities to catch three species of black bass, striped and hybrid bass, black crappie, and bream. Other recreational opportunities include camping, hunting, and boating.
How do you identify Shad?
You can easily identify an American Shad because is a silvery fish with a single dorsal fin in the middle of the back. There is a large black spot directly behind the top of the gill cover, followed by 4-27 spots, which are generally smaller than the first.
What is the best bait to use on Lake Hartwell?
Using a 4.5-inch straight tail worm rigged on a split shot/drop hook with ¼-ounce weight is effective in Lake Hartwell.
Is there alligator gar in Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell Fish – Alligator Gar.
What is the best bait to catch shad?
The best bait for American shad are small, artificial lures including jigs, spinners, spoons and similar lures. Shiny or brightly colored lures work best, although shad also are known to bite a shiny bare hook, especially attached to a swivel to give it some swaying action.
How do you attract shad?
Eight Cast Net Tips To Help You Catch More Shad
- Choose The Right Cast Net.
- Stay Away From Cast Net Gimmicks, Rings and Circles.
- Throw That “Perfect Circle”
- Pay Attention To When The Net Hits Bottom.
- Coil The Rope When Retrieving.
- Stay Sure Footed.
- Use a Bait Bucket.
- Never Tie The Hand Line On Your Wrist.
What is the biggest fish in Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell Record Fish
| Largemouth Bass | 12-lbs., 6.5-ozs. | 03/08/76 |
|---|---|---|
| Black Crappie | 3-lbs., 1.76-ozs. | 03/02/22 |
| Walleye | 9-lbs. | 1974 |
| Blue Catfish | 30-lbs., 8-ozs. | 06/26/03 |
| Flathead Catfish | 66-lbs. | 04/04/10 |
Are there piranhas in Lake Hartwell?
LAKE HARTWELL, S.C. —
The strange fish came up snapping with a very sharp set of teeth. Joshua Humphrey said, “We looked it up on the Internet and found some pictures of piranhas –found this exact one. It’s called a Red Pacu.”
What is the biggest fish ever caught in Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell Record Fish
| Largemouth Bass | 12-lbs., 6.5-ozs. | Jack Breshears |
|---|---|---|
| Spotted Bass | 5-lbs., 6.08-ozs. | Raulie Bleech |
| Redeye Bass | 3-lbs., 7-ozs. | Steve Williams |
| Striped Bass | 59-lbs., 8-ozs. | Terry McConnell |
| Hybrid Bass | 20-lbs., 1-oz. | Buster Green |
What does a fresh water shad look like?
Color is bluish gray on the back with a persistent black or purple spot just behind the head. The lower side is silver to creamy white. The fins have a yellow tint, which gives it the local name of “yellowtails”). Size: Adults may reach five to seven inches but most are one to two inches long.
What type of shad are there?
There are two primary freshwater species, threadfin shad (Dorosoma petenense) and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). Other common shad, American, Hickory and Alabama, are migratory species that commonly invade freshwater estuaries or rivers to spawn, but live most of their lives in saltwater.
Are shad fish good to eat?
“Shad is a great fish to eat, it’s very healthy for you, and you’re supporting a local fishery that’s sustainable.” Shad, a large member of the herring family, are famously bony fish. Cooks get around that by baking the fish to soften the bones. But for most people, the real prize is the shad roe.
Where is the best fishing on Lake Hartwell?
Target – On the Georgia side of the lake, Lightwood Log Creek, Gum Log Creek and Eastanollee Creek typically yield the highest catches rates. Crappie – Black crappie, a seasonal favorite of Hartwell anglers, has suffered from the extended drought and low lake levels.
Was there a bull shark in Lake Hartwell?
Bull shark caught and removed from Lake Hartwell by GA DNR. Likely there are a few more as Bull Sharks are one of the only shark species that tolerates freshwater.
Do all lakes in SC have alligators?
Its major lakes cover a total of 1,770 square kilometers, considering that it is a small country. And with the many species it provides habitat for, it is no surprise that there are alligator sightings throughout South Carolina’s lakes too. Over the years, about 100,000 alligators are said to live in the small country.
Are there crawfish in Lake Hartwell?
Lake Hartwell is also full of crawfish; because of how clean the water is and its abundance of submerged trees and brush piles.
What size hooks for shad fishing?
Tackle. For smaller elf a 4/0 hook is adequate. When the bigger blue elf are specifically targeted, nothing smaller than a 6/0 will satisfy the experienced angler. To prevent the elf from biting through your nylon trace use 8 – 10 cm of piano or plastic-coated wire between your line and your hook.
What is the biggest shad ever caught?
The American shad is the largest shad species. The biggest one ever caught on record was two feet and six inches long. They usually feed on plankton as well as small crustaceans and fishes.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.