The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 1-6

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

January 6, 2012

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 11.18 FEET, 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 is good and Lake Lanier water level has risen only slightly over the past week and the surface temperature has dropped 4 degrees. The fishing has remained good as we have been catching big fish deep and shallow through the week. We have been focusing on rocky pockets near the mouths of the creeks and back in the creeks, as well as steeper main-lake rocky banks and points in the lower lake for the majority of our fish. There is also a growing concentration of fish in the creek channel ditches which are present throughout the lake and range from shallow to deep depending on the location. We have caught the shallow fish on shaky head worms, jigs, crank baits, jerk baits, and the Fish Head Spin. Early morning, late evening, prior to a weather front passage and during times of a predominant wind are the best times to throw the moving baits and to work shallow for some big bites. 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 fish out deep relating to the timber in ditches, and these fish can be caught on a spoon, drop-shot, and a shaky head worm. The timber is your best bet for numbers of fish right now, and some bigger fish are definitely moving out deep, especially with the recent colder weather. The upper lake/rivers are really holding fish in certain creek ditches in 10 to 30 feet of water. When searching for these fish, 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, numbers and species. Stripers, spots, catfish, largemouth bass and walleye are all biting free line and down rod herring. It is not unusual to catch multiple species and sizes all out of the same area. Not much has changed in terms of technique. Find the large continuous strings of bait and fish there. Also, 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 ounce 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. In the absence of birds, find the bait and set up a spread. When the sun gets up your best bet is to switch to down rods from 17 to 30 feet down. Keep your down rods just over the bait. 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. Big Creek, Flowery Branch Creek, Six Mile Creek and Flat Creek are good places to start on the south end. On the north end try Wahoo Creek, Little River and Sardis Creek. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed.

http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier…Elevations.htm

We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 6, 2012

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 6.38 FEET, DIRTY & 52 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been slow. With the changing water levels, cooler temperatures, and dirty water has made the bite a day to day opportunity. There are two main patterns working with the current conditions. One is covering plenty of water with shallow water crank baits similar to a Bandit 200 series or a Bomber 4A, the better colors have been either chartreuse or red crawdad color. Cast these baits as close to shoreline rocky points as possible and then slowly reel them back in with a reel and pause pattern. This pattern has been producing more largemouths but do not look for many bites. The second pattern has been using a drop shot rig or jigging spoon on humps and road beds lake wide. With the higher water levels and water current fish have positioned on tops of these locations.

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 6, 2012

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 14.24 FEET, 51 DEGREES AND CLEAR

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 bait is starting to move back into the Creek and so are the Striper and Hybrids. Mid lake seems to be holding better numbers of fish then the south end and the north end but we think all the creeks on the lake will produce line sides. Shiners fished on free lines and planner boards are producing better then trout and shad right now. Remember to down size your hooks to match your shiners for more strikes. After the sun comes up, switch to pulling umbrella rigs. We have had our best luck this week pulling these rigs 145 feet behind the boat at 3.1 to 3.4 miles and hour. And have caught fish weighting up to 21 pounds. As the lake starts to clears the umbrella rig bite will get great. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 6, 2012

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 8.43 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair Look on the and over the old structure on main lake points for any schoolers but they are 10 to 19 feet deep. Later in the day, use a large Culprit dark worm over the deeper grass lines a later in the day. Spinner baits and flat sided bright crank baits will work after the sun warms shallows in the backs of the creeks. The Flat A Bomber in lime and orange colors has been fair and add some extra scent. Use this bait in the mouths of the creeks right off the river. Be sure to watch the Lowrance for bait schools as the fish will stay with them the rest of the month. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing “On the Water” fishing schools.

January 6, 2012

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 8.90 FEET, 52 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is fair and there is still fresh water flowing into the lake. This water is cooling down and stained slowing the main river fish. A bright crawfish red or brown Rat L Trap or a big jig and pig can draw strikes. Look for the clearer waters in the deep creeks. Float a large green u tail worm on and over any shallow grass after mid day. The bass are tight under the heavy grass and use a large Rat over this grass. For river bass, head into the cuts and creeks that have any clearing waters. Spinner baits and large red shad Zoom U tail worms will work or grass beds later in the day. The Rat L Traps in the bleeding shiner or red crawfish will work for the bass. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

January 6, 2012

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.88 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and use spoons, jigs and worms. Look for the bass in the mouths of the main lake and main river creeks. The lower lake creeks are clearing and the blue and silver crank baits have been working for anyone that is trolling. Down lake use the 3/8 ounce jigs in black and silver with a small pork. Fish any bank cover with the crank bait all the way to the boat working the lure’s slowly in cover. Also use the Carolina rig with a small Zoom lizard on the loner points down lake. Find any warming water in the northwest cove’s later in the afternoons. Up the rivers, use a Gator Tail worm in dark colors and add a Venom glass rattle and flip and pitch any wood. The fish are tight on wood and look around blow downs in the major creeks. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

January 6, 2012

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

Bass fishing is good. His month the best search bait to use is lipless crank bait such as a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in MudBug Red. You don’t have to change the hooks on this bait because it comes out of the package with number 2 Mustad. We have been having more success by allowing this bait to sink all the way to the bottom before retrieving. It will get hung up in the grass, but with a good rod and some 20 lb. Sunline FC Sniper, you can fish it and rip it free from the hydrilla. Some of the hydrilla will still be alive, and some dead. If the fish aren’t biting in the ditches, then start moving up on the flats and fishing the shallower water. A good bait for the flats is the New Spro Fat John in Nasty Shad. This bait allows you to fish a little slower and more methodical. The flats will be pretty thick with grass, so you can slow down and even stop the bait when you feel grass so that it will float up and out of the hydrilla. This is a deadly technique for cold water bass. With the warmer days ahead, look for the fish to start moving into the backwater to spawn. When this occurs, the flipping bite will start to get really good. Look for dead vegetation such as hyacinths and flip a Big Bite Baits 4" Yo Momma in Hematoma on a 1 ounce Tungsten and a New 5/0 Gamakatsu Flipping Hook. Use at least 60 pound. Sunline Braid. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing “On the Water” fishing schools.

January 6, 2012

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN .8 FEET, 58 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass are changing daily with the weather. Some fish have made a move up shallow while most fish are still out deep. The shallow fish are biting Spro Aruku Shad Jr.’s on main lake hydrilla flats in 4 to 6 feet of water. The bites are coming when you rip the Aruku Shad through the patches of hydrilla. Good fluorocarbon is a must when ripping the trap through the hydrilla because it cuts through the hydrilla better than regular monofilament. There is also a jig bite going on up the river around River Bend. Throw a Spro K finesse jig in black blue with a green pumpkin Big Bite Baits trailer on steeper channel swing banks. The bites have been coming as close as you can flip a jig to any cover. When the cold front hits mid next week look for the fish to back out to the first drop off and the deeper bite to be the more reliable bite. Throw a Carolina rig with a 7" Kriet Tail worm in tilapia or a Picasso football jig on the first drop off around the hydrilla flats. The deep fish can still be caught on jigging spoons in 25 to 35 feet of water up the lake around Cowikee Creek. Look for bait off the edge of the ledges and the bass will be suspended below the bait. Good electronics are a must when fishing for these fish. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 6, 2012

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 5.70 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 most any deeper rocky river channel ledge. 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.

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

Crappie fishing is fair and the fish are starting to bite again on the old river ledges in 8 to 16 feet of water. Spider rigging with live minnows is producing and the float and fly is also producing well. The Chattooga River is producing a lot of under size fish with a few keepers. Little Spring Creek is producing some crappie long line trolling with 1/24 ounce Jiffy Jigs in 4 to 8 feet of water, a float and fly is also working well in the stumps in Little Spring Creek. The bays near Riverside are producing some crappie long line trolling also.

January 6, 2012

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.82 FEET, 58 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is fair. The rivers are heavily stained and it’s best to fish down lake. Work the heavy brush on points and docks on the lake. Use the Stanley dark green or all black 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Bo Hawg pork trailer, on the heavy cover. This is a great dock lake all year and especially mid fall into the winter. Just pick a creek and work every dock. Little River is also a great area for fall fishing with a bone or parrot colored crank bait. Cast a dark red and black Texas rigged Berkley Power worm in the larger sizes slowly worked on the docks on the lower lake. Slow roll a willow leaf blade combo in gold’s on points. Use larger dark worms over the grass and around docks can get a strike, but later each day with the warming waters. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

January 6, 2012

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 50 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is fair. The main lake is clear and stained to muddy up the rivers. The cold fronts have moved the fish tight to cover. A brown blue jig with a claw trailer has been working under boat docks and around wood structure. Start in the middle of the coves and creeks and work your way to the back. As the suns heats up the water during the day the fish will move to the back of the docks. A square bill crank bait worked along the rip rap has also been producing some extra fish. This works best in the afternoon and if Georgia Power is moving water.

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. Over the past week the umbrella rig bite has taken off. The fish are on the south end of the lake in the mouths of the major creeks. We have been pulling a 4 arm 100 feet behind the boat. It is running about 15 feet deep. The spoon bite is starting to take off. The Capt. Mack’s spoons are out producing the others. Look for bait on your Lowrance and drop you spoon into the schools of bait. The stripers are under the bait. Stripers only feed up so keep your bait above the fish.

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 your jig with a minnow to increase your bite. Lick Creek 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. Remember to come to the Atlanta Boat show for the free fishing seminars. Mark will be there on Thursday January 12, 2012 at 4 pm hosting a seminar on fishing on Lake Oconee. We teach “ON THE WATER SCHOOLS” for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for 770-889-2654 for details.

January 6, 2012

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.51 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 51 DEGREES

Bass are biting better mid day. Go into the creeks up lake in the rivers for active bass. In the rivers, the bass are on the ends of shallower river points and deeper stump rows. On the main lake points and around the dam, use the shad colored Zoom Flukes over deep standing timber. A Zara Spook is good in blue shad or baby bass. All green trick worms in the stained water in creeks have been fair. Use a dark red and black Gilraker worm on a Texas rig on wood and brush very tight bank and river structure, can draw a strike. Cast or flip the river docks and shallow bank with a Zoom motor oil lizard. Sea walls mid lake are good place to use the Fish Head Spins with a small pearl Zoom fluke trailer. Use the lighter Sufix Elite line in the ten pound test and slowly reel this bait back to the boat right on the bottom. 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

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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