The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 1-13

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

January 13, 2012

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 10.71 FEET AND THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 50 DEGREES.

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

Bass fishing has remained good as we have continued to catch big fish both deep and shallow through the week. The Lake Lanier water level has risen nearly a foot over the past 10 days and the surface temperatures are rising as well with the recent warm rain and temperatures. Our focus over the last week has been the creek channel ditches which are present throughout the lake and range from shallow to deep depending on the location. We have been working the ditches from 5 feet deep all the way out to 40 feet deep. When we are out deeper, we are focusing on the ditches with isolated timber and using either a spoon jigged vertically or a jig worked VERY slowly through the timber. We have caught the shallow fish on shaky head worms, jigs, crank baits, jerk baits, and the Fish Head Spin. The shallow fish seem to be the best and most available during periods of sunny weather, while the cloudy weather pushes the bait and fish deeper. If there is wind blowing, fish your moving baits where the wind is the strongest and most direct into the bank and use a slow to moderate retrieve. Don’t expect to get many bites, but the ones you get will be quality. There are some secondary points in creeks that are producing fish during the active fish periods and when the wind is blowing as noted above. Look for the points that offer clay and rock that are close to deep water. The upper lake and rivers are really holding fish in certain creek ditches in 10 to 30 feet of water. When searching for the deeper fish in the creek channels/ditches, use your Lowrance electronics to identify subtle structure changes to include creek-ditch depressions. Where there is bait, there is or will soon be fish. As always, once you find a creek, pocket, or main lake area holding bait and fish, you may have success by rotating that area with other areas you find holding bait and fish. Fish move up and down in the water column throughout the day, and in the same context move from deep to shallow. Given that, if you have success at one point in the day in a particular location, you may return again later and enjoy further success in the same area.

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 very good both in terms of size and numbers. Not much has changed in terms of technique. Find the large continuous strings of bait half way back in the creek channel and fish there. This has been the key for the last several weeks and will continue as long as the water temperatures stay in the mid to high 40’s. The down rod bite just over the bait has been the ticket this week. However, there is a brief shallow water bite before the sun gets up. Keep your eyes open for birds and follow their lead. If they are diving at bait and you can get to the fish before they disperse, throw a Mack Farr 1/2 oz buck tail with a small fluke trailer. You can also use a spinning rod to toss a herring, small gizzard shad or threadfin on a weighted float into the center of the activity. Keep your bait about three feet below the float. When a quality Striper nails the bait on the surface; hang on! If the Birds are actively searching an area, set out a spread with baits 40 feet behind your boards, free lines 80 to 100 feet back and a couple down rods. Try both weighted and non weighted free lines. You can also use Umbrella rigs to quickly search an area. When the sun gets up your best bet is to switch to down rods over bait half way back in the creeks. If possible, take a variety of Herring, Trout and Gizzard shad to the lake. Remember to keep your hook size matched to the size of your bait. Flowery Branch, Six Mile, and Flat creek are good places to start on the south end. On the North end try Johnson, Latham Creek, Little River and Sardis Creek. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 13, 2012

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 5.75 FEET, DIRTY & 52 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been good. Water levels have continued to come up and temperatures have stayed consistent. Morning water temperatures are starting around fifty two degrees increasing to fifty five mid day. Do not be discouraged if you do not pick up early morning bites as temperatures increase so do the bites. Fishing a drop shot rig and jigging spoon on off shore structure is picking up most of the bites for numbers. You can catch some really healthy spots right now. For our finicky largemouth the best pattern has been covering a lot of water with small mid depth crank baits such as a Bandit 200 series or Bomber 4A. The better colors have either been in a chartreuse or craw patterns.

Hybrid and striper fishing is great. Fish have positioned on top of humps and road beds. Using live shad dropped down to schools of fish is working the best. Use your depth finders to locate fish. You may have to check multiple areas before locating fish with the recent changes in water levels.

Crappie fishing has been fair. Fish have begun pulling into creeks and pockets about half way in. These fish are following shad that have migrated in with the new water depths. Troll minnow tipped jigs in black/chartreuse or pink/white colors. Look for fish to be positioned in the twelve to fifteen feet depths. Troll jigs at depths ten to twelve feet to catch feeding fish

January 13, 2012

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 13.6 FEET, STAINED AND 57

This bass fishing report is from Matt Driver 404-456-6094 www.proanglerradio.com

Bass fishing is good and there has been little change al nights being below freezing. The first few days of the cold snap were not that great for fishing due to a lot of shallow fish shut down with such a drastic change in temps but now things are getting back to normal January fishing on Allatoona. The bait is more concentrated and suspending in the 15 to 20 ft range. As we all know where the bait is so will the bass be. Use your electronics to find bait ball, and use drops shot rigs and the float n fly. Use a slower approach than we’ve used in earlier weeks. I believe we will see some bigger fish caught in the near future with more cold fronts forecasted in coming weeks. January is a great time to catch a trophy spot on Lake Allatoona.

This Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Fishing Report Is Bought to You by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service 770 827-6282 www,firstbiteguideservice.com.

Line side fishing is good. The hybrids and stripers are concentrated mid lake from the “S” turns to Bartow Carver and to concentrate on the river channel between Kellogg Creek and Victoria. Early in the morning, flat lines and planer boards are getting hammered. Trout and shad seem to be working equally well. The down line bite should also produce, and the fish are anywhere from 18 to 35 feet. The best bite is on umbrella rigs once the sun gets up. Our clients have been catching very good numbers on an umbrella rig pulled 80 to 100 feet behind the boat with chartreuse jigs and trailers. Pull the edges of the river and creek channels and to expect bites when you start marking the huge clouds of baitfish. Also, be sure to keep something tied on for the schooling fish. When you see gulls diving you’ll find hybrids and stripers pushing bait up. Fish this schooling action fish with a white Rooster Tail, fluke or Spook. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 13, 2012

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 8.09 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair. The bass are back to a normal winter pattern. There is a lot of wind this week and this will move the larger bass deep to structure. Wind blown points are still my favorite along with short stretches of red clay banks mixed with chunk rock. The points as well as the banks need to have deep water or a channel that runs close by. The bass are holding in the deeper water for the most part and move in and out on these areas to feed during the day. Even when the bass are holding in ten to fifteen feet of water and more, they will still hit deep diving crank baits like the DT10 and DT16. Another good choice for this deeper cranking is the new Glass Shad Rap in the number 7 size. For those anglers that just love to use deep water jigging spoons, some nice bass along with a variety of other fish are being caught using this method. Find the fish and the structure and have at it. Most fishermen are concentrating their efforts in water anywhere from 25 to 45 feet deep. Downsize your line and tackle for best results. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing “On the Water” fishing schools.

January 13, 2012

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 9.31 FEET, 52 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is fair but the wind will slow it down little until the warm up comes back. A jig will catch you the bigger bass while the crank baits will continue to put up some numbers. Use the DT10 primarily during the winter months in a variety of colors, depending on the water clarity. The more stained the water is, the darker the color should be. DT07 Flat bait is a good second choice while fishing rocky areas, such as rip rap. Also use the football head Jig and pick apart the bottom structure and channel ledges. These two types of fishing methods will be good enough to last until spring, no matter what Lake you are fishing. Ditches all over the lake anywhere from 15 to 40 feet deer is where the larger bass will hang out. Jigs are the perfect bait for this way of fishing. Just make sure you purchase the lures that come with patience. Winter fishing can be a little slower than the rest of the year but it is the time when most of the large bass bite. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

January 13, 2012

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.88 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair. After the winds settle and with some bright sunny days, the bass will feed. Crank baits seem to be the favorite early in the morning. Bass are still biting the Carolina rigs. This will work but the bigger bass seem to want a slow moving bait like the DT10 or DT6. The DT6’s in the shad and silver are working the best and with the cooler waters. Rocky points are still the favorite this week and stay on the main lake. Those that are heading back into the creeks and coves are just getting a few small bites while throwing plastics. The bass are suspending in the channels and deeper water and move up early and late to feed. The big largemouth and especially the spots like the bigger slower moving crank baits. Rocks, deep water and wind are the key thing to look for this week. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

January 13, 2012

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 55 DEGREES BY MATT BATY

Bass fishing is good. The recent cold front cooled down the water temperatures and really grouped the fish up in tight schools. Look for grass points that are close to the edge of sandbars, as the fish will use these as staging areas. To catch fish off of these areas, use two crank baits. A Spro Little John in Nasty Shad works well on the shallower points from 3-5 feet of water. This bait has a circuit board lip and has tremendous action and comes through the grass really good. The other crank bait goes a little deeper and does not have a rattle. It is a Stanford Cedar Shad, the Razor Shad in Medium Diver. Any shad color will work. This bait is extremely buoyant and floats out of the grass really well. I would definitely change the hooks on it, though, to size 2 Gamakatsu EWG Treble Hooks. Another pattern that is emerging is flipping dead hyacinths on the Chattahoochee River. Look for dead hyacinths in the pockets or canals off of the main river and flip a Big Bite Baits Yo Daddy in Black/Blue with a 1 1/2 oz. tungsten weight. Use a 4/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Worm Hook and 65 lb. Sunline FX2 Braid. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing “On the Water” fishing schools.

January 13, 2012

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN .8 FEET, 55 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass fishing is slow and more rain will keep the lake muddy. The rising and falling waters do not help any action. The bass are deep on heavy cover. Use a larger dark u tail worm on a Texas rig. Larger jigs with a pork trailer will work on the docks. These deeper docks have new brush and the fish have to force fed. Pitch and flip worms or jigs around and in this heavy brush. Look for any brush on the points and docks on the lake. Down lake, use the Enticer black and blue or all black 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh on the heavy cover. The gourd green u tail Zoom worms on a Texas rig is fair just fish these baits slowly. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 13, 2012

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 5.79 FEET, 45 DEGREES & STAINED

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 fair and the bass have moved to a deeper winter pattern, some Bass are being caught on rip rap rocks on jigs. A Carolina rig is working well for the deeper fish on main lake points and ledges. Very few largemouth are being caught, most all are spots. Little River and the Chattooga River are producing some great spot fishing with a lot of 2 to 4 pound fish, a drop shot rig with a 4 inch craw or a mini Fluke, is working awesome on most any deeper, rocky river channel ledge in Little River. The smaller spots are up shallow on the rocks and the larger spots are on the deeper parts of the ledge 10 to 16 feet deep, look for the bigger fish right in the middle of the channel.

Striper fishing is poor but the fish are due to turn on any day.

Crappie fishing is good and the fish are starting to move in to the deeper water of the creeks and bays on a pre spawn pattern. Little spring Creek is producing some great crappie fishing, long line trolling with 1/24 ounce Jiffy Jigs in colors JJ 08, JJ 13, JJ 17, JJ 25, JJ 37 in 6 to 12 feet of water, a float and fly is also working well in the stumps and flats in Little Spring Creek. The bays near Riverside are producing some crappie long line trolling also. The crappie bite is good and we are catching a lot of mixed sized fish from 8 to 13 inches. Look for the bite to really get good with any warming trend that comes in over the next few weeks.

January 13, 2012

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.82 FEET, 54 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing continues to be a challenge but we are in the dead of winter. Look for bass to be in the twelve to twenty five feet range near points, ledges, roadbeds and humps. Spend time looking for schools of shad. When you see bait, mark the area and fish it slowly with a 1/2 ounce Flex It or Hopkins spoon, a 3/8 or 1/2 ounce football jig or a Carolina rig with a small finesse worm. Use light line no larger than 12 pound test to increase sensitivity. Most of the fish being caught are from Nancy’s Branch and south to the dam. Rely on your Lowrance to locate the pods of shad and don’t leave an area until you are confident you’ve covered every inch of that structure. If you think you are fishing slow and can count the number of bites you’ve gotten on one hand, you may need to fish even slower for better results. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 13, 2012

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 50 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is fair and the main lake is clear, stained to muddy up the rivers. The fish are tight to cover. Or they are roaming the deep water suspended near the river channel. The best bite is under boat docks near deeper water. This means main lake docks, if the docks have structure under them then that is even better. A dark jig with a claw trailer seams to be working the best. Think slow and the bite will be light. You can still pick up a few fish at the bridge rip rap if Georgia Power is pulling water. Use a number 7 Shad Rap in a shad color.

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 good. The stripers and hybrids continue to bite down near the dam. You can use a number of tactics to catch these fish. The umbrella rigs are still producing good number as it the live shad bite. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools of bait and drop your bait in the schools. The stripers may not show on the Lowrance but they are close to the bait. Keep a Capt Mac spoon tied on. There are times that it will out produce the live bait.

Crappie fishing is good. The fish are in the middle of most creeks and big coves. Spider rigging is working as well as finding the fish on your Lowrance and dropping live bait to them. Tip you jig with a minnow to increase your bite. Lick and Sugar Creek have been out producing most of the other creeks. We will be starting my crappie trips this month. Give me a call and we will try and fill your cooler with big slabs. Remember to stop by Sugar Creek Marina for all your bass and striper needs. They have Capt. Mack’s umbrella rigs in stock along with the Capt. Mack spoons. Call about our “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for 770-889-2654 for details.

January 13, 2012

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.51 FEET, STAINED 51 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair but the water temperatures are dropping daily and the spotted bass are scattered. Anglers are reporting everything from and occasional spinnerbaits and the jigs. Work the shallows in and around the main lake points but work the bait all the way back to the boat. A few strikes are occurring within a few feet of the boat out in deeper water. Work the brush piles you find around the docks. A lot of Christmas trees have been put around these docks and are starting to hold fish. Follow the spinner bait up with a jig or better yet throw a purple 4 1/2 inch Storm worm right in the brush pile or under the dock. The added scent and rattle that is built in will aid in getting the bite. A slow presentation is a must this time of the year. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

Our DVD, Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass are now on sale for only $ 25.00 including shipping. Send a check payable to Southern Fishing Schools Inc. to: Southern Fishing Schools Inc to 106 Hickory Ridge Drive, Cumming Georgia. Please allow 14 days for delivery.

The 2012 Atlanta Boat Show is January 12-15, 2012 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Come and see our fishing seminars. www.atlantaboatshow.com

The Great Southern Fishing Show will be held at the North Atlanta Trade Center January 21-22, 2012. We have shallow water seminars; fly fishing, guide trips and much more. Seminars will be posted soon.

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. See the new Lowrance machines at www.lowrance.com. Lowrance Announces HDS Gen2. See them in action at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville this Saturday from noon until 5pm.

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 2012, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. calls us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details.www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.

The Great Southern Fishing Show is for fly fishing, shallow water and light tackle folks and will be at the North Atlanta Trade Center, January 21-22, 2012. Fly and Conventional Fishing gear at discount prices. Learn how to fish or hone your skills. Demo the latest rods and reels. Meet expert guides and learn what bait or fly to tie to catch any fish. Freshwater and saltwater vendors on site. Learn from the experts all weekend. FEATURES: KIDS 12 & UNDER FREE! Seminars: Twenty fly fishing & spinning tackle pros will be giving presentations for all types of fishing on the lakes, streams, and ocean. Fly Tying Presentations: Twelve expert fly tiers on site to tie and give you expert tips for the perfect fly. Casting Demonstrations: Ten expert instructors sharing their knowledge on the casting pond. Bring the Kids- 12 & UNDER ARE FREE! Casting classes will be available for the kids! Simms Product RV: On site all weekend with the latest merchandise. GUESTS: Our speakers will be talking about all kinds species for fresh and saltwater fishing: Ken Sturdivant: Lake Lanier guide and Lowrance Pro Staff instructor see the latest GEN2 Lowrance machines Andy Mill: Author of “A Passion for Tarpon” and winner of a record eleven tarpon tournaments. O’Neill Williams: Star of O’Neill Outdoors- bass and striper fishing techniques for the Spring. Henry Cowen: Nationally renowned fly & light tackle fishing guide. Also at the show: Deb Bowen, David Edens, Jimmy Harris, Jimbo Mathley, Tim Ivey, Kent Edmunds, Abby Jackson, John Rice and more! HOURS: Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-5 TICKETS: Adults 17+ $ 8, Kids 13-16 $ 4, CHILDREN 12 & UNDER FREE SPECIAL FAMILY PASS: 2 Adults & Up to 4 Kids for ONLY $ 20. See the seminar schedule at www.northatlantatradecent.com