The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 12-23
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
December 23, 2011
LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 12.39 FEET, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 55 DEGREES.
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764
Bass fishing is good. The lake has really been stable for the past two weeks in terms of conditions. The water level and surface temperatures have both remained fairly steady. This has made for some outstanding fishing on Lake Lanier. We continue to catch some very big fish shallow each day. These fish range in depths from 1 foot to 18 feet or so. We have been focusing on rocky pockets and points 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. We have caught the shallow fish on shaky head worms, jigs, crankbaits, 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. 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. There are fish out deep relating to the timber, 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, but the size of most of those fish is three pounds or less, although I have seen some movement of the bigger fish out deep over the past week. The upper lake/rivers are really holding fish in certain creek ditches. While on a trip this week, we caught 37 bass on a spoon, shaky head worm, and a drop shot in a four hour period. The fish were in 10 to 28 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. A consistent big fish bite should occur in and around the timber in deeper water as the water temperature continues to decline. 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. Make sure to come see me, Jimbo, in January 2012 at the Atlanta Boat Show on Saturday and Sunday as well as the Great Southern Fishing show later in January at the North Georgia Trade Center.
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 a lot has changed. The warmer water temperatures have extended the shallow water fishing. The bait has moved into the creeks and the stripers have followed. The pattern remains; find the creeks with the highest concentration of bait and fish there. Trout, gizzard shad and herring are all working. Start your day with baits 40 feet behind your boards, free lines 80 to 100 feet back and a couple down rods 15 to 30 feet deep. Keep your down rods just over the bait. When the sun gets up start to weight some of your lines with 1 or 2 split shots. Stay with the bait which will move deeper as the day progresses. Vary your trolling speed. This will let your baits relax and swim instead of just following in a straight line. There is also a shallow water bite on flats half way back in the creeks. Pull larger baits both Gizzard Shad and Trout on planner boards and free lines. There is some larger fish roaming the banks for larger baits. This pattern will work as long as the temperature is in the 50’s. Umbrella rigs are working but with the lake low be prepared to spend some time getting them out of the trees. Flat Creek, Six Mile Creek, Flowery Branch Creek and Mud Creek are areas on the south end. On the north end try Wahoo Creek, Little River and Gainesville Creek. Again, focus on the creeks with the highest concentration of bait. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed. http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/lanier…Elevations.htm
December 23, 2011
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 12.10 FEET, STAINED & 54 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL
Bass fishing has been good this week. The overcast misty days have really got the fish biting a jigging spoon. Flex-it spoons in silver and white are the best colors right now. Watch your Lowrance and look for the bait balls with fish arches near by. Good places to start looking for fish are road beds, bridge columns and deep brush piles. Most of the bites are coming from mid to down lake. Up lake there is still a good Chatterbait and crank bait bite going on. As always, Yellow Jacket Creek and Half Moon Creek and great places to start.
Stripers fishing is fair. Fish with live shad in 15 to 25 feet deep on the old road beds and creek channels. Down lake is still the top producer. Keep a look out for the birds and you may find a top water bite on schooling fish.
Crappie fishing has been fair. Trolling has begun to pick up a little this week. Troll a 1/8 ounce Jiffy Jigs black chartreuse curly tail jig. Troll these baits in the ten to twelve feet range going into creeks such as Half Moon and White Water creeks.
December 23, 2011
LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 16.84 FEET, 58 DEGREES AND CLEAR
This bass fishing report is from Matt Driver 404-456-6094 www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing is slow and the fish are still all over the water column due to the warmer weather. The best way to catch them this week is to run and gun with baits like the Spro 95 Mcstick. Fish it quick like you would in the early fall. Fish are really scattered all over the lake. Spinner baits, and lipless crank baits are also good choices. The jig head bite is pretty good right now but could be better if we get a drop of a few degrees. With the weather being up and down be prepared to adjust day by day.
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 and we have been on the water almost everyday this week and the fishing has been great. It was so good at times we almost forgot it was winter and not spring. The numbers and quality of fish my clients caught this week where spring like numbers. The seagulls are here and are really giving away the location of the feeding fish. The fish are on the move between Bartow Carver and the S-Turns and are relating to the river and creek channels when their not on top. Live bait is working when the fish are down and can be caught on down-lines 15-30 feet deep. But the best bite is coming on the umbrella rigs fished 60-150 feet behind the boat at speeds of 2.4 to 3.1 miles and hour. When the fish are on top they are very active and will eat almost anything. Spooks, Flukes, Rooster tails and popping corks will all produce. Again the birds are giving these fish away and cloudy and rainy days are you best bet for top water action.
December 23, 2011
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 9.06 FEET, CLEAR & 58 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair but the fish are running up and down banks after the runoff this week. Many of the lakes creeks and the upper rivers are stained from more than inch of rain. Up lake the best baits will be worms and jig and dark colors and larger sizes could prove effective for a big fish. Main lake creek points and creek bends are fair and Culprit red shad worms in the large size on a Texas rig will be fair. The afternoons will be better as the warmer coves can offer more shad movement. Work the bass Pro Shops enticer 1/2 ounce jig and a #1 Uncle Josh pork trailer all in black, on the docks and points. Add some Jacks Juice in garlic scent and make casts to the same location. Crank baits later each day can also work, but with the stained waters, use bright Bomber Flat "A"s in chartreuse and crawfish colors. The lower bass are biting in the creeks mid lake. The same tactics are also fair down lake and add the 1/2 ounce Hopkins spoon and the jigging technique to the plans. 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
December 23, 2011
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 9.99 FEET, 57 DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is fair but there are not a lot of anglers on the lake. Bass are on the tight on main and up lake points with the cooler weather. Depths can be from 8 to 15 feet. Working dark worms and jigs is fair. Worms and a Texas rig using a Zoom u tail in smoke and red tight on bank structure, can draw strikes. The Strike King 3/8 ounce jig in the black and blue and black and browns is a good choice. Be sure to add the Uncle Josh #11 matching dark pork trailer. Later each day up in creeks, the bass will bite crank baits in fire tiger and crawfish. A slight stain in the water is an advantage during a warm up later each day. Bomber 7As cast right on the bank, can produce strikes, just work lures on 10 pound test Sufix elite line for better action and depth. Also creek points and deep docks are good locations, and run the lures under and around these docks. Main lake points in the deeper waters around any of the stands of trees using a 1/2 ounce Hopkins spoon, is starting to work. Locate standing timber or deep man made brush piles and spoons right in the timber and deep brush. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
December 23, 2011
LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.91 FEET, CLEAR & 59 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and they are feeding on the points and creek bends down lake. A Fish Head Spin with a small Zoom Fluke in pearl will attract the bass but be sure there are some baits schools in the creek. They are tight on cover. Use the Stanley 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh on the points. The crank bait and spinner baits cast on the bank cover and slowly worked, will get strikes. Mid day, spinner baits down lake in the creeks are fair on cover using Stanley spinner baits with bright blades. Late look for shallow strikes as the bass move to the creek banks and points during the day. The Zoom water melon seed lizards on a 3 foot Carolina rig has been fair later each day. Also on creeks on old channels use a Culprit red shad worm on a Texas rig with the brass and glass combination. Work baits right on the bank around any cover. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
December 23, 2011
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 59 DEGREES BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is good and the fish are grouping up and the pre spawn bite is already starting. Fish the edges of grass flats in 7 to 10 feet of water out on the main lake. A lipless crankbait is your best choice of bait. Use a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Mudbug Red. The coots are pulling the grass up and it is a little aggravating to fish but use a good rod with 20 pound test Sunline fluorocarbon to rip the bait free from the grass. If the lipless crankbait bite slows down, you can switch to a cedar bait such as a Stanford Patriot 1.5 in Summer Color. Another technique is to fish a Texas-Rig 5" Big Bite Baits Trick Stick in Tilapia for suspended fish in Spring Creek. The fish will be relating to the edges of the deep grass lines in Spring Creek. The best places are grass lines with big stumps present, as the fish will relate to these with the cold weather coming. This rig only works if you rig it up correctly and avoid line twists. Use a 1/4 ounce Tungsten, a 4/0 Gamakatsu off set Shank worm hook and 16 pound test Sunline Fluorocarbon to get the best out of this rig. It is a slow technique, but can pay off big time especially after cold fronts. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.
December 23, 2011
LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.8 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR
Bass fishing is fair. On the lower lake creek ledges and in the mouth of the creeks they will bite a Texas or Carolina rigged worms or lizards in watermelon seed. Add the tungsten weights for the extra sound, and work baits all the out off the points and ledges. Later in the day in the creeks use a Manns bream colored crank bait in the smaller sizes. Look for up river bass in the creek mouths and slow roll a Stanley spinner bait with gold and silver willow leaf blades. Add a pork trailer and work baits on any stump rows. Later in the day cast a Fat Free shad crank bait in baby bass on the creek banks. In the upriver creeks mouths, slow roll a Stanley spinner bait with gold and silver willow leaf blades.
December 23, 2011
LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 5.88 FEET, 49 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 fish have started moving 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. Little River and the Chattooga River are producing some great spot fishing right now 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. 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.
December 23, 2011
LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.60 FEET, 58 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.
Bass fishing is fair there are some shallow fish but they are mostly small. Look on points and main lake humps with brush. The bass are tight in cover and the Zoom Creepy crawlers in pumpkinseed and colors is taking few fish. Work baits slowly. Up the lake close to the Oconee dam, fish points close to the current and use a dark jig and pig combination. Fish tight in any cover from the bank as far out as 15 feet. The Strike King jigs in the 1/2 ounce size in dark reds and blacks with a matching #11 Uncle Josh trailer will be best. Use some Real Craw scent and use it often casting to the same location. Flipping and pitching tight trees in the water or docks up lake is fair. Bright 7A Bombers in green crawfish worked slowly in the creeks half way back later in the day, can draw a strikes. Find the warmest water for better action. Also try a crawfish colored Bomber.
December 23, 2011
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 1.04 FEET, 57 DEGREES AND CLEAR.
Bass fishing is fair and there is a light stain on main Lake, stained up the rivers. The water temp is dropping and the water is rising with all the rain this week. Work a black brown or black blue jig tight to structure. Under the deeper boat docks has been working best. Work the jig very slowly. The bite is very soft so stay in contact with your bait at all times. If the sun comes out there will be some fish move out to the main lake points. Look for points that have structure on them. Work the same jigs on the points. You can also work a crank bait to pick up the active fish.
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 striper and hybrid bite is as good as we have seen in December. The fish are showing up from the 44 bridge to the dam. Over the past week we have had better luck on the south end of the Lake. Use your Lowrance to locate the school. After you have spotted a school on your graph drop live shad or a Capt. Mac spoon down in the school and hang on. These fish are feeding all day, so there is no need to get up at 5 am. If Georgia Power is moving water you can use a lot of bait in a short amount of time. Remember to keep moving and using your Lowrance until you find the school. Sugar Creek Marina has all the Capt. Mac spoons in stock make sure us stop by and load up. Sugar Creek has the Capt. Mac umbrella rig in stock along with Okuma line counter reels and Okuma striper rods and a complete line of striper gear. If want to go on a Ty It before you buy it ride to see the Lowrance HDS units in action give me a call. You can have an on the water demo. 404-803-0741. Make plans to attend the Atlanta Boat show January 12-15. Come to the fish tank and say Hi.
Crappie fishing is very good. The crappie are showing up in the middle of the major creek. Use a jig tipped with a minnow for the best results. The fish are out in the channel, use your Lowrance to locate the schools and drop your jigs down to the fish. Spider rigging has been the most productive over the past week. Now is the time for big crappie at Oconee. This should last until the end of Feb.
December 23, 2011
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.47 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 59 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair. With the runoff, most of the bass have moved up to the pockets to pick off and food running out into the lake. So fish shallow with a small spinner bait or a small crank bait. The bass are best on the lower lake in the creeks. Use the 3/8 ounce Enticer spinner bait with medium dual gold willow leaf blades. Slow roll this lure on the points and use a single Colorado blade and a chartreuse and white skirt. Also up lake after mid day work this same lure on thick bank cover. The Zoom green pumpkin lizard on a Texas rig has been fair on docks and points. Add a glass rattle in the lizard. Afternoons are better as the water warms up. Later each day, use a trick worm in greens, and cast around docks down lake and let it sink out of sight. Also a dark Strike King jig in black or browns and a crawfish Uncle Josh trailer, in matching colors can get strikes, but fish the baits slowly.
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, 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 2011, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. calls us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654
2012 Atlanta Boat Show Lets Go Fishing Center Seminars Presented by Allstate!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
2:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
3:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
4:00 pm Lake Oconee Fishing, Mark Smith
5:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
6:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
7:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
8:00 pm West Point Lake, Chris Bell
Friday, January 13, 2012
1:00 pm Lowrance HDS, Ken Sturdivant
2:00 pm Drop Shots, Carolina Rigs and Jerk Baits, Tyrone Phillips
3:00 pm Trolling for Stripers, Marty Allagood
4:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
5:00 pm Fly Fishing Accuracy Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
5:30pm Phil Johnson, Spotted Bass Secrets
6:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
6:30 pm Fish Head Spin Techniques, Rick Stickelberg, Jim Mathley
7:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
8:00 pm Lake Oconee Crappie, Al Bassett
Saturday, January 14, 2012
11:00 am Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Noon West Point Lake, Chris Bell
1:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
1:30pm Lanier Bass Tactics, Jim Mathley
2:00 pm Crank Baits for Bass, Ken Sturdivant
2:30 pm Kayak Fishing 101, Drew Gregory
3:00 pm Fly Fishing Accuracy Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
3:30 pm Springtime Spotted Bass, Phil Johnson
4:00 pm Fish Head Spin Techniques, Rick Stickelberg, Jim Mathley
4:30 pm Lake Allatoona Bass, Matt Driver
5:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
5:30 pm Bass Tournament Basics, Matt Driver
6:00 pm Lake Oconee Crappie, Al Bassett
6:30 pm Float-N-Fly Techniques, Matt Driver
7:00 pm Spotted Bass Brush Pile Techniques, Captain Marty Allagood
8:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Sunday, January 15, 2012
11am Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
Noon West Point Lake, Chris Bell
12:30pm Lanier Bass Tactics, Jim Mathley
1:00 pm Bass Tournament Basics, Matt Driver
1:30 pm Fly Fishing Beginner to Advanced, Rene Hess CCI
2:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant
3:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West
4:00 pm Trophy Bass Tactics, Hawg Trough Fishing Team
5:00 pm Advanced Striper Techniques, Ken Sturdivant
Sport Fishing Forums – North Carolina, South Carolina & Georgia Fishing
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