The Southern Fishing Report by Ken Sturdivant 3-4
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
March 4, 2011
LAKE LANIER IS DOWN ONE FOOT, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 53 DEGREES.
Spotted bass fishing is fair and the water temperatures are struggling to get to the mid 50 degree mark. Soon the big spotted bass will move shallow and with the full moon on March 19, expect the water to be warmer and the spots shallow. Pick apart any shallow pockets off the main lake and work half way back in the creeks in the same pockets. We see tons of shallow baits in the clear water in the backs of the creeks and the bass are hungry. All the lakes docks are ready to break loose and the Zoom finesse worms will be big hits all month. Use the 3/16 ounce Spotsticker jig head. We will see a surge of fish mid month head to the shallow humps on the main lake and that is the time for the Mini Me spinnerbait bite to also pick up. All white or the Mini Me baits with the shades of purple and white will work. Run these baits on at least 12 pound test Sufix Siege line. The jerk baits and the trick worms worked in pockets along with the McStick and the Vision 110 worked very slowly on some 10 pound test Sufix Elite line will get some attention.
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 and the water temperatures are rising into the low to mid 50’s. The backs of the creeks are stained due to the recent rains and the threadfin shad have stopped dying. This is all good news for striper fishing. The stripers are starting to move into the backs of the creeks and moving up shallow for bait fish early in the morning, late afternoon and at night. You won’t miss much by taking a nap late morning and early afternoon. Striper fishing should continue to improve as the weather warms and the fish start packing on the weight for the spring spawn. Pulling baits shallow on flats and points with a variety of baits both large and medium is your best bet. Put one board right up on the bank with a large bait a couple of feet behind the board. Vary the length on your other boards and free lines from 20 to 70 feet back depending on size of your baits and the depth of the water. Put someone on the front of the boat casting a bucktail the entire time. Pulling umbrella rigs across points will also get you a few fish. You can fish Flat Creek, Balus Creek, Bald Ridge Creek. Up on the north end, fish the area around Holly Park, Little River, Wahoo Cree and the river to Clarks Bridge. You can also take out your Lake Lanier map and look for flats and long tapering points half way back to all the way back in any given creek. This is a great way to learn the lake and discover some "new" hot spots. We are getting good night fishing reports on points and flats with Bombers and bucktails with a fluke trailer fished very slowly.
March 4, 2011
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 5.1 FEET, STAINED & 642 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL
Bass fishing has been good. Fishing has improved each week as fish fully commit to the pre spawn. Use lipless crankbaits and shallow crankbaits in the backs of pockets and secondary points. For color selection, use chrome with black back or any shad pattern. If you find the shad you will find the fish. The best pockets have had some form of ditch or creek running into the back. Fish the secondary points and wood going into the back of these pockets. Some of the best pockets have been in Yellow Jacket Creek, Whitewater Creek and Turkey Creek.
Hybrid and striper fishing is good. Fish are grouping on shallow humps and roadbeds in ten feet of water. Over the last week fish moved from their deeper depths following bait. Drop live shad into schools of fish.
Crappie fishing has been great. Fish moved into short pockets within coves and creeks in preparation to spawn. Fish have moved really shallow so do not be surprised to catch fish in less than three feet of water. Use live minnows eighteen inches below a cork. Fish are really grouped so if you do not get bit quickly be prepared to move to the next pocket. Once you get bit the same area should provide multiple fish.
March 4, 2011
LAKE ALLATOONA IS 11.8 FEET, 50 DEGREES AND CLEAR
This Lake Allatoona bass fishing guide report has been brought to you exclusively by Matt Driver from www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing on Lake Allatoona is great. The crank bait bite is firing up with water temps in the high 50’s and low 60s. The river is stained and lake levels are slowly rising so the fish are moving to shallow around wood a chunk rock. The afternoon bite is the best on muddy sun beat banks. Use the Spro Fat John crank bait in the spring craw color. In the clearer water down the lake the jerk bait bit is good for number. The McStick 95 needs to be in the ghost color.
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 good. We have caught fish on swim baits, live bait fished on down lines, free lines, planner boards, spoons and single buck tails. Both the north end and south end are holding good numbers of hybrids and stripers. And the best part of it is these fish are willing to eat almost anything. They are getting ready to make the spawn run and are feasting themselves before the run up the rivers. Give us a call and book your trip today. We are also giving away another fishing trip. You can sign up for the drawing on my Facebook account. It is easy, just click on the "LIKE BUTTON" and you are then enter for the drawing in May.
March 4, 2011
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 4.1 FEET, 49 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair. The bass are ready to move up as soon as the full moon rolls around. Work small crank baits in the pockets on the major creek pockets. Also the docks are ready to break loose as the bass use the shade of boat docks to feed under. Use the shallow diving crank baits in bone and fire tiger like the Rapala DT6 and DT10 in the off colored water in the backs of the major creek arms. Once the sun gets up fish the docks with a jig and a jerk bait. As the water warms up, the Zoom trick worms and a Senko will work. Skip these baits under the docks in the shady areas and then work the shallow sand pockets. As the water warms up, get out the Rat L Traps and the Red Eye Shad crank baits and run and gun the banks. Also have a Zoom Fluke and the Super Fluke ready and watch the feeding periods on the Game and Fish Forecaster to be using the right retrieves.
March 4, 2011
LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.6 FEET, CLEAR, 53 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and the water is trying to warm up. The key this week and trough the month is find bait schools. Almost all the lakes pockets and deep coves are shallow and the water will be warmer than the main lake. Trick worms and Senos are the best baits to fish all day. Zoom has the new Magnum trick works and the bass love shallow worms. These worms are larger and they can be cut down after they tear up the heads. June bug and green pumpkin will be the best colors. Be sure to use a larger 3/0 Mustad offset worm hook and at least 10 pound Sufix Elite line. Have the Zoom fluke on a jig head or on a Fish Head spin ready and work the middle of these pockets. The Rapala 13S in silver black back will work and the bait can be retrieved or fish dead stick around any cover. Also the Zoom Baby Brush Hog on wood will work as the smaller bass head to the shallows to get ready for the full moon March 19.
March 4, 2011
CLARK HILL IS DOWN 5.2 FEET, STAINED & 54 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and some fish are into a pre spawn pattern. Most bass are being found in ditches or flats with jerk baits and crankbaits in 15 feet of water or less. On the warmer afternoons, you can see bass cruising in the backs of many pockets. Were certainly not done with all of the cold weather, but spring is now upon us. Here are some things to keep handy as you fish this month: Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerk baits and jigs. The No. 1 bait of choice for me this month is a spinnerbait. If the weather continues to stay moderate to warm, big female bass will cruise the shallows looking for an area that provides cover and food for the spawn. Throw close to and into the thickest cover possible during the warmest days. However, if the temperature stays cool, back off the cover some and try slow rolling around the edges of spawning flats. If the month does stay on the cool side, use your jerk baits and crankbaits that suspend, and fish down the middle of the pockets. As always, the jig n pig will produce big bass now, also. Try it on main and secondary points that are near spawning flats.
March 4, 2011
LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED AND 64 DEGREES BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is fair and the next wave of big females will be moving up on the beds mid month. The per spawn bite is nearly over, so concentrate on spawning fish in the shallows. Main lake sandbars are going to be really hot this weekend. Use a Texas rigged 8" Big Bite Baits Kreit Tail lizard in watermelon red. This is a big lizard so you will need to use a big 5/0 offset Gamakatsu. The fluorocarbon line is a must with this technique. Try some 20 pound Sunline FC Sniper and you will never want to use anything else. Also be looking for beds, and when you find one, drop the power poles and fish for one until you aggravate it to bite. A Spro Fat John in Spooky Nasty is also good to fish on the sandbars and in between the sandbars.
March 4, 2011
LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, 55 DEGREES & CLEAR
Bass fishing is fair and the warmer water temperatures soon will get all the bass active. But the water is still cold and another set of weather fronts will affect the shallow fishing activity. Use a slow presentation and try the trick worms and the small Rat L Traps and plan to fish mid day and later. Work ant structure with the lures and always have a shakey head ready with a June bug or red bug u tail Zoom worm. Zoom Super Flukes will also work and pearl and baby bass are local favorites. If all else fails, get out the Carolina rig and add a Zoom pumpkinseed lizard in 4 or 6 inch lengths.
March 4, 2011
LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 3.18 FEET, STAINED & 55 DEGREES BY MARK 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
Jiffy Jigs Largest Crappie contest Come fish with me and have a chance to win a 50.00 dollar prize sponsored by JIFFY JIGS. The largest Crappie caught in my boat each month in February and March will win the prize. www.jiffyjigs.com
LAKE WEISS IS AT 2.36 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, LIGHT STAINED AND 55 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and a few largemouth and spots are starting to show up on secondary points and the rip rap around the bridges leading into major spawning creeks, Rat L Traps and Spinnerbaits are catching these staging fish. Little River is still producing some good Spot fishing in the upper part on the old river ledges and the steep rock banks, a drop shot rig with a 4 inch worm or a small craw is working great.
Striper fishing is poor. A few stripers are being caught in the upper Coosa river trolling 1/4 ounce jigs with a 3 and 4 inch white Sassy Shad trailer, at 1.5 -2 mph.
Crappie fishing is great and the Crappie are staging in the bays and cove’s on a pre spawn pattern. The crappie are being caught in most areas of the lake in good numbers. Long line trolling with Jiffy Jigs in 1/24th and 1/16th ounce in colors JJ12, JJ13, JJ17, JJ24 and JJ34 is producing some great Weiss Lake slabs. Look for the fish in the deeper water of the bays early and shallow in the afternoons.
March 4, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 52 to 60 DEGREES, LIGHT STAIN UP AND CLEARING DOWN LAKE BY MARK SMITH
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404 803 0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Bass fishing is fair to good. The bass fishing is getting better every day. The bait has moved into the coves and back of the creeks and the bass are following them. Everything from spinner bait to a worm is working at different times of the day. Rattle trips are working well fished down sea walls and around docks. Match the color to the water. If Georgia power is pulling water move to the rip rap around bridges and work white spinner bait or a small crank bait. When the sun gets up, move to the docks and work slower bait like a Texas rigged worm under the docks. The fishing is just going to get better and better as spring moves in.
Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com
Line side fishing good. The fish have not shown up at the dam yet. It is only a matter of time before they are there. For now move to the back of the creeks that have bait in them. If the bait is there then the stripers will be close by. Live bait is the way to go. If you can not catch threadfins then shiners will also work. Start out early in the morning with flat lines and plainer boards, work the back of the creeks with bait. After the sun gets up you can switch to down lines or pull a Capt Mack u-rig, in the same areas to locate active fish.
Crappie fishing is good to very good and this is the best fishing going on the lake. The big slabs are moving to the back of the main creeks like Lick and Sugar. Spider rigs seam to do the best right now. Dark jigs in blue black with a minnow added seam to be the best. Some good numbers of fish are coming from shooting docks also.
Catfish report by Chad Smith Guide Service. The cat fish are moving into shallower water. Cut bait is what they are looking for. The bigger fish seam to need bigger bait like a big cut gizzard shad. Look for these fish in less than 10 ft of water on flats, shallow points, and shallow humps all around the lake. With the best areas around the I-20 bridge and all the way down at the dam. www.chadsmithguideservice.com 706-207-2411
March 4, 2011
LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 58 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.
Bass fishing is fair and the stable weather will have the fish ready for the shallow spawning activity. Use the Zoom Flukes, lipless rattling crank baits like the Rat L Traps, Rattlin Raps and the Berkeley Frenzy, Sassy Shad, and the 3/8 Rooster Tails. Bass are on and around flats, long points and also creek channels and docks in the creeks. Some fish are extremely shallow now and are roaming in water 5 feet deep or less. Zoom trick worms and Senkos will work on the docks down lake. Also the Strike King spinner baits and Chatter baits are starting to work. Bright colors are important as the water is stained. Use these baits with loud colors and bright blades. Small 6a Bombers in fire tiger have been working after mid day. Early in the day, McStick jerk baits can be worked with a slow jerking motion and this will attract a hungry curious bass.
March 4, 2011
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 5.7 FEET, CLEAR & 58 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and will really pick up mid month with the full moon. Work the northwest coves with spinner baits and shallow crank baits and lure colors will depend on the color of the water. Clear water, clear baits and stained water use fire tiger and gold colors. Its hard to beat a trick worm in June Bug around any wood or on any dock. Add some Jacks Juice into the package and garlic is a local favorite. Get the spinner baits ready and white and chartreuse skirts will be best. A smooth straight steady retrieve will work on the blade baits. Use a tandem blade setup and mix up the blade colors.
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 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.
We have 3 books that cover ALL SPECIES in these lakes, 52 WEEKS ON LAKE ALLATOONA, 52 WEEKS ON LAKE LANIER and 52 WEEKS ON WEST POINT LAKE on sale. Each book is $ 23.95. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040. Copyright 2011, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. Call us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.
Sinclairs murky waters are beginning to clear up a bit. Clarity is up to 3+ feet on the lower end while most of the lake keeps its usual early spring stain. The Oconee branch still has good color on the upper end thanks to good clarity on the lower end of Lake Oconee.
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