The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

April 8, 2011

LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 60 DEGREES.

Spotted bass fishing is good. A good majority of the fish are ready to spawn as the females are very fat. The fish that are being caught are coming off of point, breaks and humps where the fish are making their to the shallows. Work any of the spawning areas in the back of coves and nearby docks specifically the ones that have poles and underwater crossbeams for structure. Target areas should be deep water docks and points, breaks and humps. Also the reef markers are great areas to pick apart with the Zara Spook Jr in bone. Fish that are being caught Mini Me Spinnerbaits, Yamamoto Senko in a white or green pumpkin, white Zoom Flukes and a Fat Albert green or white grub. Zoom’s finesse worm rigged on a light spot sticker will work also. Use the green pumpkin color as well as the curly tail grub in the Zoom Fat Albert. Small jigs around rocks will work and the Strike King Bitsy Flip in the black and blue, brown or the green and brown color rigged with a brown, black, or green pumpkin chunk Zoom’s Super Chunk Jr will work all day. Focus on areas of post spawn and deeper water, such as points and reef markers.

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 good and the water is heating up and so is the striper fishing. Striper fishing is good and if the weather holds it should only improve. There is an early morning bite on free line herring pulled at 100 to 120 feet behind the board across points and flats. After about 9:00am and a bright sun, weight you free lines with 1 to 3 split shots and move over deeper water like the 40 to 60 foot bottom. You should also hang a down rod over the side and adjust the depth as need. The key is to cover water with herring on free lines and boards. The spots are biting and if you can catch them on a 1/2 oz. Captain’s Mack’s bucktail. The spots will also skin your herring without you knowing. Keep an eye on your lines and check your baits often. As always fresh bait when striper fishing. You may want to consider picking up an extra dozen herring. The fish are scattered lake wide from the mouth of the creeks to all the way in the back. Shoal creek, Bald Ridge, Big Creek, and Flowery Branch are good starting points on the south end of the lake. Chestatee Bay and Flat mid lake and any of the creeks on the North end. The south end is probably a little better but the fish are really scattered lake wide.

April 8, 2011

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 2.7 FEET, STAINED & 67 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been good. Fish have begun spawning. This has been a week for the soft plastics like a Zoom lizard on a light Carolina rig and the trick worms or creature baits. Work the isolated cover and depressions. These fish are most likely relating to small ditches waiting to pull up for the spawn. A light Carolina Rig can also be effective in these same areas. My best areas have been from Wehadkee creek north to the 109 bridge.

Hybrid and striper fishing is good. Fish are following shad into pockets and creeks in ten feet of water or less. Find the shad and you will find fish. Troll small crankbaits and bucktails through feeding fish and bait. The best pockets have been north of the 109 bridge.

Crappie fishing has been great. Fish are spawning in shallow pockets and creeks. Use live minnows or jigs eighteen to twenty four inches below popping corks. Once you have located a bed first start by using jigs to catch the most active fish and then switch to live bait. Jig colors to use would be black/chartreuse or white/pink patterns until water clears.

April 8, 2011

LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, 61 DEGREES AND CLEAR

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

Bass fishing the week has been great. The recent ran and storms have littered the water with pine straw and leave but the fish are still biting. The weight less Jerk Minnow bite has pick up and even a few fish on buzz baits early. Most fish are still pre-spawn but expect the largemouth bite to slow as we near the next full moon, because of the next big wave of spawning. When the starts shaky head finesse worms and jigs will be a good choice. Be sure to slow down during that time.

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 has been a little bit slower this week but is still good. With the recent rains and the cold nights the striper bite has slowed down. But to my surprise it hasn’t hurt the hybrid bite that much. Look for it to pick back up as the water warms. The fish have back down out of the river due to the muddy water but they should move back up quickly as the water clears. The spawn hasn’t been to reach it prime. So keep you eye on the river for the next 3 to 4 weeks. For you guys that don’t want to go up the river, the south and north ends of the lake is still holding a ton of hybrids. These fish are biting flat lines and planner boards in the morning. The down lines and Mack Farr umbrella rigs are a go when the sun gets up. The umbrella rig bite is the best bite going. Look for these fish to be off main lake points and on the edge of the humps.

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April 8, 2011

LAKE HARTWELL IS FULL, & 61 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. Bass are on the move into the shallows with the warm weather warming up the water at a steady pace. The full moon is 10 days away and the bass will be on the beds. Expect to majority of the bass to on the beds in about two weeks. The males are still roaming the shallow water on the sunny side of the banks. This is where the females will lay their eggs so the sun can warm the water up and make certain of a good hatch. Several baits like the spinnerbait, Husky Jerk baits and jigs along with Shad Raps will catch bass this week. The spotted bass are on the move as well and will be a lot more aggressive this week. They will spawn in a little deeper water than the largemouth. Fish the coves and all the shallow water. There will a concentration in many areas where the water is warmest.

April 8, 2011

LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & 62 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good off the rivers with buzz baits and Mann’s Shallow Minus One bright crank baits. Keep a trick worm and a Super Fluke ready for the shallow fish on any wood and on the small points in the creek. Up the river, use a spinner bait and the Stanley 3/8 ounce all white spinnerbaits will work off the rivers in the pockets and around wood. Try the clear creeks with buzz baits and spinner baits as well as trick worms. Use the Scrounger and a Fluke trailer in all white on any wood or rocks. When you are ready learn how to find the bass with the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, call us to set up a day on Lake Lanier. We will “show” you the fish.

April 8, 2011

CLARK HILL IS DOWN 3.1 FEET, STAINED & 61 DEGREES

Bas fishing is good and the fish will be on the beds in ten days. Anglers will be fishing bedding bass. Bass can still be caught on Super Flukes, X-Raps and shallow running Shad Raps in and around grassy flats. The grass mats will be submerged, so look for the dark shadows along the bottom or drag a jig or Carolina Rig through an area to find the type and color of the grass. Small flats that run near a deep ditch or River channel are the best places to catch your limit this week. Be sure to try the Scrounger with a Super Fluke as the trailer. Trick worms can also work.

April 8, 2011

LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED AND 73 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. The fish are starting to get in a post spawn stage, but not completely. There are some good fish to be caught near the edges of spawning flats in 8-15 feet of water. To locate fish, fish a Spro Little John MD in Nasty Shad or Cell Mate. Try and parallel the grass lines instead of casting directly to them. You will need to use fluorocarbon line to rip the crank bait free from the grass, so go with 16 lb. Sunline FC Sniper. Once you locate an area that has fish, you can slow down with a Carolina Rig. A good bait to use on the Carolina Rig is a Big Bite Baits 6" Finesse Worm in Junebug. If this technique is not for you, you can still catch numbers of fish in shallow water around lily pads and grass. An awesome bait for catching bass right now on Seminole is a Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper. Rig this bait on a 5/0 Weighted EWG Superline hook (Gamakatsu) and swim in through and over the tops of the grass and pads. This technique will catch both quantity and quality.

April 8, 2011

LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, 60 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is good. The best fishing in the early and late evening hours seems to be the best bet. Spinnerbaits, buzz baits and floating worms all have been catching fish. Look around for those grass lines near deeper water as from the patterns this weekend that’s been a big plus in catching the better fish. June bug and red shad are local favorites when going deep. Work the drop offs and channel or creel ledges and any sharp drop off points during this time. Added scent is another good idea and garlic is preferred by most anglers. Long cast and slow retrieves will be the secret on the Carolina rig. Down the lake towards the dam, a darker color jig along with the Carolina rig will be all the big baits of choice all day. Fish every stump and lay down you can find either on your graph or on the bank. When you are ready learn how to find the bass with the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, call us to set up a day on Lake Lanier. We will “show” you the fish.

April 8, 2011

LAKE WEISS IS .26 FEET OVER FULL, LIGHT STAIN & 57 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

Bass fishing is good and the fish are shallow in the spawning bays, they are being caught on secondary points, road beds, humps and ditches and shallow stump flats. A few bass are starting to cruise the spawning banks also. Rat L Traps and shallow running crank baits and Spinner Baits are catching these pre spawn Bass, Jigs and worms are also catching some good fish.

Crappie fishing is fair and the crappie are staged in the spawning bays in 10-14 feet of water, and they are being caught long line trolling with JIFFY JIGS in 1/24th ounce in colors JJ13, JJ17, JJ24. Shooting docks is also starting to produce a lot of Crappie. Look for a lot of crappie to move shallow and start spawning over the next week or so.

April 8, 2011

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 66 DEGREES AND STAINED

Bass fishing is great. The warmer temperatures are bring the bream and perch along with some shad back into the shallow water. The bass are feeding heavy on the bream and perch and this is a good color choice in the Shad Raps and the DT6’s. The DT’s seem to be out fishing everything else this week and with the weather expected to remain the same for the next week, expect the pattern to hold. Bass are ready to bed with lots of fish on the feeding prowl. The best bite is occurring early in the morning and then again later on after 3:00pm in the afternoon. Top water baits like the Skitter Pop and the Chug bugs are just now turning on early in the morning hours. After the sun come above the tree tops, the bass seem to be holding tight to cover. Fish the backs of creeks and coves and fish all the secondary points you can find. On the blue bird sky days, use the jig and lizards to work the wood. The pattern will still be a run and gun as only about two bass to an area are still being caught. Fish the cove, catch the fish then move to another. When you are ready learn how to find the bass with the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, call us to set up a day on Lake Lanier. We will “show” you the fish.

April 8, 2011

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 63 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is good as fish prepare to spawn. Most fish are now in coves and protected bays, although a few remain along main lake banks. Many different type baits have produced recently, although a few have been better than most. Spinner baits have done especially well in the stained to muddy water. Single spin baits with large Colorado blades have been good during early morning and in muddy water. Seawalls and dock posts are prime targets for single spin models, which are less snag-proof than double or tandem spin baits. But the single spin generates more vibration, which helps bass zero in on the target in dirty water. Baits with double Colorado blades are especially good around wood cover such as lay downs, stumps, and brush piles. Tandem spin models and double willow blade baits are just right for retrieving through the grass. On any of the models, gold blades have probably been the best overall, with silver, copper, and colored blades also producing. Chartreuse and white combination skirts have been good, along with black chartreuse, blue chartreuse, and blue white. A 5 inch Senko in the June bug color has shined as a come back bait for missed strikes on the spinner bait. Zoom lizards in 5 or 6 inch sizes have done well rigged both Texas and Carolina style. Try to use the lightest weight possible for the conditions. Small to medium size crank baits are still catching a few fish and try a buzz bait. This bait may not draw but one or two bites, possibly the largest of the day.

April 8, 2011

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 2.7 FEET, STAINED & 62 DEGREES

Bass fishing is great and the fish are shallow and taking a variety of baits from back in the pockets to the main lake. You will find spots gathered on rocky main lake points and sea walls. Fish any shallow wood on the banks or back in the pockets. Throw a white spinnerbait with nickel blades and get it close to wood and rock cover. Bump the cover and use a slow retrieve. Also use the jig and craw trailer. A green jig should work well for finding big fish and taking fish that didn’t jump on the blade bait. You can have a little fun with floating worms if you like. Fish a weightless trick worm around shallow brush piles and dock posts. These bites will likely be smaller fish, but the visible bait adds to the fun. Rig it whacky or no weight Texas, in white or green pumpkin. The shade of overhanging trees and docks will hold fish when the sun is up and skipping a floating worm is a fun way to get at them. A green Senko is also a top producer around wood in the 2 to 5 foot range. Flip or skip the 5" Senko around docks and wood cover and let it fall with plenty of slack. If it makes it to the bottom, twitch and pause it briefly then make another presentation. This bait is working best when falling on a wacky rig but hang ups will be more of a problem near wood cover.

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. Call us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.