The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 11-24

The Southern Fishing Report

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

November 24, 2011

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 12.92 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLOUDY & 60 DEGREES.

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

Spotted bass fishing is very good. We have been focusing on creek pockets and main-lake rocky banks for the majority of our fish. The water above Brown’s Bridge is warmer than the lower lake by about 1.5 degrees. The fish above the bridge seem to be relating to cover much better and are easier to target. Many of the fish in the lower lake are schooling at the mouths of creek pockets and feeder creeks. The stripers and the spots can often be found schooling together, but they don’t seem willing to come up for baits. If you can get a topwater bait, fluke, or jerkbait into the fish when they are busting, you will catch them. Our best baits over the last week for the fish that are relating to cover have remained the crank baits, shaky head worms and the jig. We are using a deep diving crankbait and throwing it very shallow thus making it bang and deflect off of cover which is producing most of the strikes. A medium running crankbait is working in the stained water pockets and the backs of creeks. Look for the jerkbait bite to pick up all over the lake when the water cools another 5 degrees or so. There are fish out deep relating to the timber, but there are also many very active fish shallow around the lake that can be found in 10 feet of water or less. We found several fish very shallow on open banks this week, particularly when the wind was blowing into the bank. Stay on the move to find areas holding bait fish and concentrate on those areas. Keep an eye on your Lowrance electronics as you scout for good fishing areas. Move back further in the creeks and out on points and look for the bait balls. Where there is bait, there is or will soon be fish. 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. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

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. The majority of the bait has moved into the creeks and the stripers are following. Target the creeks with a high concentration of bait and focus on nearby flats and points. Start out early with a "spread" of planner boards, free lines and a couple of down lines. Vary the distance of your baits behind the boards; keeping the bank side planner boards shorter than the deep water side. I usually start with a trout on the outside boards and herring on the inside boards and behind the boat. After the first couple of hours move to deeper water and weight your baits with a couple of split shots. The birds are late this year but they should be arriving in force this week. Keep your eyes open for diving birds and ensure you have a 1/2 oz bucktail with a trailer tied on to cast. There are fish in every creek with a high concentration of bait. However the south end has been the most productive. Bald Ridge Creek, Flowery Branch Creek, Four Mile Creek and Flat Creek are good places to start. On the north end of the lake try Ada, Gainesville, Little River and Wahoo creeks. Check with US Army Corps of Engineers web site to find a list of the ramps that are open before going out. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed.

See the New Bait and Tackle Store On Lake Lanier. Island Bait and Tackle is located on 5825 Lanier Islands Parkway, Buford Georgia 770-614-0080 www.islandbaitandtackle.com. Check with US Army Corps of Engineers web site to find a list of the ramps that are open before going out. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed.

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

November 24, 2011

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 12.23 FEET, STAINED & 64 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good on points in Yellow Jacket Creek. Up river dark jig and craw worms on the heavy bank cover or a buzz bait can get a strike. Stay close to the river current on points at 5 to 10 feet. The long 3 foot leader on the Carolina rig and a full one ounce weight can work mid day on the road beds and pond dams down lake. Poes 300 crank baits in bone and blue and green colors are fair on light line on points. Shad Raps are fair in the shad and bream colors on 10 pound test line. Rat L Traps in the chrome and blue back has been fair in the middle of the lower lake creeks all day. Cast them right on the bank and hit the old pond dams. Use the dark Culprit green shad worms in the grass as tight as possible can draw a strike. In the backs of the creeks early use a use a floating Culprit worm in dark colors over the grass and wood cover.

November 24, 2011

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 10.3 FEET, 65 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass fishing is fair but stay down lake. Use the small craw worm on a light sinker along with the jig in dark reds or blacks. The blue and black jig and pig combination can draw a big fish late in the day. The lower lake bass are slow. Stay with pumpkinseed Zoom u tail worms and a Texas rig on points in the creeks at 12 feet. Work any soft lures or live baits slowly. The best action is just before dark on docks and rocky points. If the wind is down, use the black Zoom trick worm on a super light Texas rig. All white Mini Me spinner baits are working but be sure to find the warmer waters in the lower lake creeks. See our web site for the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

November 24, 2011

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 10.12 FEET, CLEAR & 61 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair up and down lake. Go to the lower lake creeks and close to the stain lines and use a 3/8 ounce Bulldog spinner bait with large silver willow leaf blades. Cast to any bank cover and work the lure right around bank cover. Afternoons are better as the water warms up. Use Zoom trick worms in green or June bug and cast around docks down lake and let the bait sink. Add some Jacks Juice scent in the Zoom bags for some extra time to set the hook. Use a dark Stanley jig in black or browns and a crawfish Uncle Josh trailer, in matching colors can get strikes, but fish the baits slowly. Swim the pearl Zoom Super Fluke around any wood or on any dock that is still wet. The Bass Fishing Lake Hartwell guide is for sale. Ask for a free sample via e mail. Lake levels are from www.lakelevels.info/?StateID=GA

November 24, 2011

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 9.9 FEET, 61 DEGREES STAINED

Bass fishing is fair and with the lake levels dropping pick any of the stumps and wood apart right on the creek banks. The bass will hold right on the deep side and will be tight on cover. Look on the heavy brush on points and docks on the lake. Down lake use the Bass Pro Enticer jig in black and blue or all black 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh on the heavy cover. The Zoom water melon seed lizards on a Carolina rig is a good choice fished slowly. On creeks on old channels, use a Culprit green shad worm on a Texas rig with the tungsten weight and a glass bead for the extra sound. Work baits right on the bank around any cover and off the sides of points. Later each day, work the creek banks and use a Shad Rap or a Rat L Trap in the shad colors casting anything to the bank cover.

November 24, 2011

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.6 FEET, CLEAR & 62DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and there are not a lot of anglers on the lake. Bass are in the backs of the creeks lake wide and use the Lowrance Structure Scan technology to see the creek ledges where the fish are holding. Later each day on rocky points, use crank baits in blues and shad colors. Add a jig and pig combination for all day fishing and head into the backs of the major creeks. Look for any warm water flowing into the creeks. The Bill Norman Little N is working in a stop and go retrieve and dont hesitate to cast this lure right on the back. On any lay down work this lure through the trees as slowly as possible and tick the lures off the tree limbs. Also use the larger Stanley jigs in the 1/2 ounce sizes with brown, dark blue and black combinations. Add the larger Uncle Josh Pro pork trailer and work every limb with this lure as well. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

November 24, 2011

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 65 DEGREES BY MATT BATY

Bass fishing is fair. There are bass after the lipless crankbaits on the main lake. To cash in on this bite, you need to use a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in old glory color on 20 lb. Sunline fluorocarbon. The best places to fish the bait are on grass points on the main lake. The grass has actually started dying back already, and in some of these places it may be underwater. This is where your Lowrance electronics especially with a Navionics chip will aid anglers find humps and points. This time of year, the fish really just prefer a steady retrieve with the bait. Another pattern that is working well is to fish a spinnerbait in these same areas or a soft plastic jerkbait. A good spinnerbait to use is a 1/2 ounce Strikezone Lure Company Edgebuster spinnerbait in chartreuse/white or bumble bee. The best soft plastic jerkbait to use is a 6 inch Big Bite Baits Jerk Minnow in glow silver on a 6/0 EWG Gamakatsu Hook. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.

November 24, 2011

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.94 FEET, 72 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass fishing is fair and head to the creeks. Use the jig in all black and a black pork trailer and see how the fish react to shallow wood structure with this bait. 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. Concentrate on any wood early then move to the grass beds later in the day.

November 24, 2011

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 4.01 FEET, 53 DEGREES & CLEAR 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 the largemouth bass are really biting great and have moved shallow in the coves and bays, look for any brush or stumps in 4 feet of water or less. Shallow running crank baits, spinner baits and Rat L Traps in shad patterns are working great. Spotted bass are on main lake points and secondary points and humps, road beds and shallow river channel ledges, soft plastics like the Senko worm in green pumpkin with a chartreuse tail is catching a lot of good spots. The upper Coosa River is also producing some great bass, the spots are out on the main river channel chasing shad, shallow to medium running crank baits are working awesome on these aggressive fish.

Striper fishing is fair and they are showing up in the main lake on river channel ledges 8-14 feet deep. Live shad down lined and free lined, trolled slowly on the old Coosa river channel is producing best.

Crappie fishing is Good and a lot of larger crappie have shown up on the old river channel ledges in the main lake and Little River and the Chattooga River, spider rigging with minnows 12-14 feet deep is really producing some good fish with a lot of under size fish. Look for the fishing to really get hot over the next few weeks. The crappie have started moving away from the docks, but they are still holding a lot of smaller fish. The upper Coosa River is starting to turn on. The crappie have moved out to the main river channel in the stumps and log jams.

November 24, 2011

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.51 FEET, 68 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is fair and the fish are hitting buzz baits and spinner baits early in the morning, mainly in the central and upper lake. Some larger fish will take a one half ounce tandem gold blade Stanley spinner bait or a one half ounce buzz bait, both with white skirts. Blow downs and brushy docks located on or near the main river and creek banks are now working as more of the big fish are leaving the spawning flats. Some of these fish won’t hit until several casts have been made to the same dock or blow down. Wake the spinner bait over the cover before slowing down and bumping into it. Later in the morning, try slow rolling a one quarter or three eights ounce spinner bait around brushy docks, under water stumps or blow downs. Work the bait out to about 8 feet deep and try to keep it within inches of the bottom. Texas or Carolina rigged worms and lizards are also working in the same areas. One half ounce Rat L Traps in chrome blue and Carolina rigs are catching fish on primary or secondary points. Down lake in the clearer water, a Zoom Super Fluke will work around any type cover, including docks, until the sun is high. After that, fish worms slow.

See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

November 24, 2011

LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 3.1 FEET, 61 DEGREES AND CLEAR.

Bass fishing is good. With the worm weather this past week the fishing has been improving every day. The fish are in the back of the creeks and main lake coves. The fish are on any structure with wood the best. Early in the day a white buzz bait is still working on the sea walls and rip rap. After an hr. or so switch to a small crank bait and fish it around docks and wood structure from the middle of the creeks and coves to the back of the creeks and coves. Watch the back of the coves for schooling fish. A few schools are showing up in the back of the major creeks late in the day. Keep an eye on the weather. Things can change fast this time of year if we get a strong cold front come through.

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 to excellent. The fish have shown up this past week from the 44 bridge to River Bend. The early morning bite has been off of the charts most days. If Georgia Power is moving water you can run out of bait fast. The fish are starting to school. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools. When you find the fish drop the live bait to them. Down lines are out producing the flat lines this week. We always keep an umbrella rig ready for a change of pace. This is also the time of year that the spoon bite is very strong. Also keep several spoons ready and will fish them with the live bait. Now would be a good time to take a child fishing. Sugar Creek has the Capt. Mac umbrella rigs in stock along with Okuma line counter reels and Okuma striper rods and a complete line of striper gear. They also have a complete line of Zoom baits on hand. If you like to see the Lowrance HDS units in action give me a call and we can show you how it works. You can have an on the water demo. 404-803-0741

Crappie fishing is fair. The crappie are showing up in the middle of the major creek. Live bait is the best bet for loading the cooler. Use your Lowrance to locate the fish and drop a live shad down. Keep moving until you locate the fish. They are scattered all over the major creeks but when you find them they will feed. Remember to come to the 2012 Atlanta Boat show for the free fishing seminars. Mark Smith will be there on Friday and Saturday.

November 24, 2011

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.1 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 63 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and the rivers are slightly stained. 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. Cast a dark red and black Texas rigged Berkley Power worm in the larger sizes slowly worked on the docks on the lower lake. The up river bass are better later each day. Slow roll a spinner bait with a dual willow leaf blade combination in golds on points. Use larger dark worms over the grass and around docks can get a strike, but later each day with the warming waters. Sea walls can produce but they should have a dock close by to be more productive. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

Our DVD, Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass is 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, 2011 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Come and see our fishing seminars. We will post the topics soon.

The Great Southern Fishing Show will be held at the North Atlanta Trade Center January 121-22, 2011. 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 New Mark-4 and Elite-4 machines.

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.

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