The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant 9-8

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

September 9, 2011

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 7.8 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 81 DEGREES.

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764

Bass fishing is good and the lake temperature has continued to drop with the recent Inclement and cooler weather and rain fall. Lower lake temperatures have been around 80 degrees most of this week. There remain several different patterns working to catch spotted bass, which is normal for this time of year. At the mouths of creeks and on the main lake, fish can still be taken on a drop shot worm or minnow imitation. These fish are typically smaller and have started to move up in the water column as well as shallower in relation to the cover. The better fish seem to be shallower and positioned in cuts and on rocky secondary points near the mouth of creeks. A jerk bait or a lip less crank bait are the ticket to catch these fish. When you see schools of fish suspending in 10 to 15 feet of water on your Lowrance, that is the time to throw these baits. We have been working the jerk baits with a twitch, twitch, pause retrieve to include only a brief pause given the water temperature. As the lake temperature continues to fall, increase the length of your pause. For the lip less crankbaits we have been using a fast retrieve, with intermittent pauses of 2 to 3 seconds which allows the bait to fall. Many strikes will come on the fall or at the beginning of your pause. When the fish are not as active and relating closer to the bottom we have found that a jig with a twin tail trailer or a Carolina rigged worm will produce strikes. On certain days we have found a decent top water bite in the creek mouths and on the secondary points like those we mentioned above. Buzz baits and prop baits have drawn strikes consistently in these areas when the fish are active and up shallow. Keep an eye on the lunar charts for peak feeding times. We have found over time that these reports tend to be accurate with the exception of unstable weather or periods of power generation from Buford Dam.

This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Guide Service, 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing is fair. The striper bite has picked up some this week but the numbers of fish continues to be less than prior years. The exception seems to be the north end of the lake where I have had some reports of large schools of smaller fish. For larger fish your best bet continues to be main lake and creek channels from Browns Bridge to the dam. The best bite is in the afternoon. There are a few fish on main lake points in 40 to 60 feet of water however, lead core and down rod herring over the trees just off the river and creek channels have worked best this week. The fish have been holding in the trees just off the river and creek channels. When you find them in the trees, down rods with live herring is your best technique. Lead core at 9 to 10 colors will pull a few fish out of the trees and is also a good search tool. Umbrella rigs will also work but be prepared to catch a lot of trees. My Lowrance Structure Scan has been a huge advantage in seeing the fish in the trees. Remember, the deeper fish are much more cooperative than the 40 foot fish.

September 9, 2011

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 8.1 FEET, STAINED & 86 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has continued to be tough. Water levels have continued to drop over the recent week continuing to position fish offshore. Fish can be very difficult to locate off shore with consistency because of these continual drops. Look for little change over the next few weeks until outside temperatures begin to drop. My primary pattern has been working humps and roadbeds off shore. We are using the Lowrance electronics to locate fish and bait and then turning back to fish these areas. If bait is not there continue moving to your next location. You may have to check multiple locations at different times throughout the day. Start by throwing deep diving crankbaits in a shad pattern such as a Strike King Series 6XD in sexy shad. After a few casts then switch to a green pumpkin Zoom ten inch Ole Monster Texas rigged with a ¼ ounce lead and 5/0 worm hook.

Hybrid and striper fishing is tough. Fish are schooling lake wide over the tops of humps and road beds following shad on the surface before the sun crests the trees. The action will be fast so use fast moving shad imitating baits. Use ¼ ounce rattle traps and Pop R’s. Work baits quickly to resemble fleeing shad. Once top water action slows use live bait over the same humps and road beds that produced with top water earlier in the morning. The best locations are on the southern end of the lake.

Crappie fishing has been fair. Crappie have remained consistently off shore on deep brush piles and standing timber down lining live minnows during daylight hours. During the summer heat and boat traffic the best fishing is coming from fishing at night with the use of floating lights. The best areas have been on bridge’s lake wide. It takes a little time for bait to attract to lights, but once bait appears fish will not be far behind.

September 9, 2011

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 7.4 FEET, 84 DEGREES AND CLEAR

This Lake Allatoona bass report is from Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com.

Bass fishing is great with the cooler weather. There is a good top water bite right now with a mix of spots, largemouth and even a line sides. A Spro hydro pop, Zara spook and a buzz bait are doing great. Fish long creeks early in the morning till about 10am, and that bite may last long if the cloud cover is thick. There is a decent crank bait bite, and it will get real good as we get deeper into fall.

This Lake Allatoona striper and hybrid fishing guides report has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 6282. www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia email: eidson6260@comcast.net

Line side fishing is fair. Plan your trip around either sun up or sun down. If you’re planning on a four or five hour trip you are going to spend a lot of time just watching your fish finder. There is a decent top water bite lasting about 30 minutes at sun up and then again at sun down. Find the fish schooling on top from Kellogg’s Creek up to Bethany Bridge and use something small to catch them like the Rooster Tail, a Fluke Jr. or a Zara Puppy. After the top water bite shuts down you may be able to catch a few down lining to 24 feet over fish you see on your graph but the fish are very finicky. These fish are nibbling the baits but very few will actually take it. Dissolved oxygen levels are very low in the lake right now. They are not pulling much water through the dam because the lake is already low. Something needs to change before the fish will start biting again like some kind of a cold front or a tropical storm to get the water moving. On into September we can expect the fishing to improve dramatically. Soon the top water bite will keep getting better. September is always a good month for top water fish on Allatoona. The other good bite that should turn on this month is trolling umbrella rigs.

September 9, 2011

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 7.7 FEET, CLEAR & 81 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. The larger bass are still hanging out on the main lake and on the points and especially the ones that still have some stumps and brush on them. Small cuts and short stretches of bank between any two points are also producing some good bass. The key to catching the quality bass is to fish the rocky points and the grass lines near deep water. The shad and herring are moving up from the deep during the windy days and the bass are following. Depending on where you put in, take a moment to use you graph and check out areas along the river. The pearl color number 7 Glass Shad Rap is a good bait to fish as the lakes set up for fall action. The Rapala DT10’s and DT14 Rapalas are still pulling in a good number of bass when cranking shallow to deep off the points. Windy days are the best for using the crank baits.

September 9, 2011

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.7 FEET, CLEAR & 82 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and the weather will change again and cool down. With the recent rains the lake is rising and the water temperatures will start to fall back. The water is lightly stained in the creeks to clear in the main rivers. Bass are starting to roam shallow lake wide with the most fish being taken on main lake points. Fish these points on both sides with a #5 Shad Rap in the fire tiger color then back it up with use a Carolina rigged Zoom six inch finesse worm in red shad color. This bait is working with great results after the morning crank bait bite turns off. Concentrate on points and the bowl areas on the side of points throwing the worm in very shallow and working it all the way back. The late afternoon is the time to pick up the crank again and stay on point after point until you get the bite. Swim the Zoom Fluke of the Fish Head Spin across the main lake and the secondary points and be sure to let the bait drag as close to the bottom as possible.

September 9, 2011

CLARK HILL IS DOWN 7.5 FEET, STAINED & 83 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair but is improving a little each week as cooler temperatures roll through the area. The grass mats and humps are still getting a lot of attention from anglers this past week. A few bass are just now starting to move up on the edges of the flats and out of the deeper water in the creeks and rivers. Suspended fish are showing up all over the graph in about ten to fifteen feet of water. Rapalas DT10 and DT14 will get the baits into this zone and catch good fish. X Raps along the edges of the flats along with Bandit 200 and the Glass Raps will work also. As the bass start to feed on the small blue backs and shad, a white 3/8 ounce spinner bait on the wind blown points will work. Be sure there are some herring close by and you can see them on the Lowrance Down Scan technology. Also use a Rattlin’ Rap up in the rivers around the rocky islands and rocky stretches of bank.

September 9, 2011

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR AND 87 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair but there are still a lot of fish offshore. The best offshore bite is not on the deeper ledges but on the ledges at 8 to 10 feet deep. When there is current the offshore bite can be good both for numbers and quality. When the current is present, ledges that top out from 8 to 12 feet have worked the best. The best fishing times are from about 5:00 pm until dark when the current is rolling. When there is no current the fishing can be tough. Crankbaits like the DT10 and DT14 seem to work best. When there is not current, use a Carolina rig and Texas rig on river ledges in about 12 to 25 feet. Green pumpkin and watermelon seed plastics are tough to beat. If the ledge has standing timber work the timber thoroughly as the fish will suspend in the trees. At this time of year the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology relay pay off if you are going to fish structure. If you find the shad, you will find the bass. In the early mornings, shallow grass early in areas with deep water access can produce quality fish as well. If you are going to be throwing a crank bait, you need to be throwing one of our custom painted baits.

September 9, 2011

LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, 84 DEGREES & CLEAR

Bass fishing is fair and the bass are on the ledges. Use the Carolina rigged Zoom Ole Monster worm. Started flipping the end of blow downs on the main river and plan to spend the day out close to the current. The backs of the creeks have a few fish but the majority of the bait schools are out on the main lake. Try a shad colored deep diving crank bait like a Spro Little John DD. If you can get one to bite, this can make the whole school will start biting. Citrus shad is a good color. Later in the week, head to the shallows with the frog and then go to the jig and pig. Swim the jig through and wood or shallow grass. After the fish move out to the ledges, go to the football head jigs around 20 feet of water and then swim the Fish Head Spin with a ½ ounce head to get to the bottom Drag this bait across the bottom with a Sufix Elite monofilament in the 14 pound test and the strikes will be hard and once the fish get on the feed.

September 9, 2011

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN .50 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 78 DEGREES BY COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE

Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama. E mail ken@havefunfishing.com

Bass fishing is good and a lot of bass are moving shallow in the coves to the fresh water from the rain, look for any where water drains into the lake. shallow running crank baits and Rat L Traps in shad patterns are working well.

Striper fishing is poor and they are in fair numbers in Little River and the upper Chattooga River. Little Spring creek is also producing some fish. The canal and the powerhouse lake are also producing some Stripers. Live Shad is the key to catching these fish, flat lines and down lines fished 8 to 10 feet deep and trolled slowly are producing some great striper fishing.

Crappie fishing is fair and the crappie are mainly under the docks and out deep 8 to 16 feet, on the channel ledges and suspended in the old river channels, Night fishing with live minnows with lights on the edges of the old Little River channel is producing some fair crappie. Shooting Jiffy Jigs in 1/24 ounce, under docks is still producing some decent crappie fishing. A few crappie are being caught on minnows from under lights at night off docks. Spider rigging with live minnows is starting to produce a lot of smaller fish. Look for the larger crappie to get active over the next few weeks as the water cools.

September 9, 2011

LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, 86 DEGREES AND A LIGHT STAIN UP RIVER

Bass fishing is fair. Dock fishing is where it is at. Work the deeper boat docks with a worm. The darker Zoom u tailed worms are the best bet in June bug, green pumpkin and watermelon have been the best colors. Fish these worms as far under the docks as you can, the darker the better. You can fish them on a shaky head or Texas rigged. The shaky head has been a little better for the bigger fish. The afternoon bite is still better than the morning. If Georgia Power is moving water you can also try a med. Run the crank bait on the rip rap under the bridges as the water is moving. Make sure to stay in contact with the bottom.

Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404 803 0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com

Line side fishing is fair. Some fish are showing up in the Sugar Creek area of the lake. These fish are working the humps when Georgia Power is moving water. Work the humps with a crank bait that will run about 10 feet deep. These fish are on the humps at 10 to 15 ft. Use your Lowrance to locate the fish on the humps and you can cast to the fish or troll over them. The schooling bite has slowed with the cooling temps. Keep an eye out for the schooling to start back up as the water temps stabilize. When the water temps drop into the 70 look for the fish to show up in the river bend area. They will usually stay in this area throughout the fall. Sugar Creek has the Capt. Mac umbrella rigs in stock along with Okuma line counter reels and Okuma striper rods. They also have a complete line of Zoom baits on hand. If you like to see the Lowrance HDS units in action give us a call. You can have an on the water demonstration just call 404 803 0741

Crappie fishing is fair. Some fish are showing up in brush piles from 10 to15 feet. The night bite in the timber is still the best producer. Look for the fish to show up on your Lowrance and drop you live shiners down the depth they are holding at.

September 9, 2011

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 84 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is good and the water is cooling down some. Use the smaller sizes of any lipless crank bait and make super long casts to the long points down lake. The Rattlin Rap in either the natural shad or the black and chrome are working lake wide but use the larger baits up the rivers. Fish any rip rap early in the morning with both the Rattlin Rap and a small all white buzz bait. Check out the mouths of any and all major creeks working them well with buzz baits and crankbaits alike. Bass are holding in small pockets right at the mouth of these creeks. Any lay down timber is a must for a pig n jig in any dark color. Any dock deserves a cast or two with a jig or Texas rigged Zoom green pumpkin U tail worm.

September 9, 2011

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 3.7 FEET, STAINED & 79 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair to good and the points down lake heading towards the dam are the best areas this week. The river channel comes real close to these points and there is plenty of structure on the channel ledge. Tube baits like the Rattle Tube by Storm is an excellent with the water a little stained. Fish it also with the Carolina rig and with the Texas Rig. Smoke and pearl are the color of choices here. Add the Rapala DT10 in either the silver or shad color. Hot mustard is good with the lake rising as bass will look for bright colors of lures. On the channel bends and any point close by at or near a major point are good places. Any current will be the helping factor here. Any place you find current the bass are sure to be close by. Have a spinner bait ready all day also.

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE! Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The BASICS OF SONAR seminars are held on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm. All seminars are subject to change without notice.

If you would like to have a free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net and ask for the Sonar Setup Quick List.

We have these BASS FISHING books for sale: BASS FISHING LAKE LANIER, BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books are written exclusively for Bass and each book covers every week of the year. Each book $ 39.00. If you would like a sample of any book, send us an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.

Copyright 2011, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. calls us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654