Lake Hartwell Spotted Bass fishing b17a5b41750119b2e385fc04d91843f4a9edb45cf27473e941

I think Lake Hartwell is often over looked for their wonderful spotted bass. Spotted Bass, or also known as Kentucky Bass, entered into Lake Hartwell years ago and lately they have changed the bass fishing tournament world. These wonderful spotted bass have been making a huge appearance and making quite the name for themselves in local and big name tournaments. These fish made a big showing at the 2015 Bassmaster Classic on Lake Hartwell. A big portion of the top finishers had some giant spots in their bag. Local tournaments over the past few years have been won with a full 5 fish limit of spotted bass. Lake Hartwell currently sits at 9th place in the nation for spotted bass with local lake lanier in neighboring state Georgia also with a top ten. I have a good bit of experience with spotted bass as well. With a tournament several weeks ago I brought in a bag with 4 fish one shy of a limit, all being spotted bass.  These fish have changed my fishing skill as well. These monster called spotted bass have earned names like "spot-a-potamus", "magnum spots", "donkeys", and many more names because of the fight these things put up. Just weeks ago I caught a 12 inch spot and a 2lb largemouth in a matter of minutes and they suprisingly gave out an equal fight. I believe spotted bass will soon take over lakes and become the kings of the bass tournaments. Not only is the Southeast being affected by these fish, California is producing state, then national, and finally the most prestigious of all records, world record spotted bass. South Carolina announced in 2013 that the average weight for these fish were 1-3 pounds (SCDNR). While California is reaching weights like 10+. Will South Carolina ever see this size? I have no clue. I hope so. Some 3-5 pound spotted bass are being brought to the weigh-ins now so we may see some South Carolina spotted bass up to 7 pounds. South Carolina was introduced to the Spotted Bass later than western states so we may see some larger weights in spotted bass in the coming years. I absolutely love these fish. I am always happy to catch these fish because their unique fight. I hope to see these fish grow in the coming years and to take over the local and large tournaments.