The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 12-29

The Southern Fishing Report

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

December 28, 2011

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 11.4 FEET, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 53 DEGREES.

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

Bass fishing is good. For the first time in months, the lake made a significant jump up in level this week from all the recent rain we have experienced. The lake has come up more than a foot and that certainly hasn’t hurt the fishing as we continue to catch some very big fish shallow each day. These fish range in depths from 1 foot to 15 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 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 but the size of most of those fish is three pounds or less, although we have seen some movement of the bigger fish out deep over the past two weeks. The upper lake and 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. 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 us in January at the 2012 Atlanta Boat Show on Saturday and Sunday as well as the Great Southern Fishing show January 21-22, 2012 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. Try the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

Striper fishing is very good both in terms of size and numbers. The bait has moved off the flats and points and into the creek channels over a 30 to 60 foot bottom. There is more bait in the lake than I have ever seen. While there is bait in every creek look for the creeks with a large continuous string of bait and fish there. Start your day with baits 40 feet behind your boards, free lines 80 to 100 feet back and a couple down rods. 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. If you find a school of fish 30 to 40 feet deep switch to down rods only. This will provide you with better control of bait placement. If the weather warms as projected look for the bait and the fish to move back to the shallow flats. Take both the herring, Trout and gizzard shad to the lake. We have had better luck with herring this week but have had some reports of better luck with Trout and gizzard shad. Umbrella rigs are working 100 to 120 feet behind the boat in the creek channels. Six Mile Creek and Flat creek have been the go to creeks on the south end. On the north end try Wahoo Creek, Little River and the Chattahoochee river from Longstreet Bridge to Laurel park. 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.

December 28, 2011

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 11.75 FEET, STAINED & 54 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been good. With the recent rains West Point water levels have come up nearly four feet in two weeks. This has scattered fish a little, but has turned the bite on. The best pattern has been fishing shallow crankbaits such as a Bandit 200 or Bomber 4A in a chartreuse pattern such as fire tiger or chartreuse shad. The spotted bass bite has still been doing well on humps and roadbeds, lake wide. Use 3/16 ounce Shaky Heads with a Zoom green pumpkin finesse worm. Despite the dirty water the spotted bass have not moved very much but have positioned on top of road beds and roadbeds. Focus your casts directly on the highest points of these locations and then gently drag the shaky head without shaking it.

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. Trolling has not worked as well this week as bait has scattered with recent changes in water levels. The most consistent bites have come from fishing bridge pilings lake wide. Use live minnows dropped to depths between twelve to fifteen feet. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details. Try the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 13.5 FEET, 54 DEGREES AND CLEAR

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

Bass has been fair to good bite with most fish coming of crank baits in the 8 to 15 range. Fish a Spro Little John crank baits in shad patterns. Also numbers can be caught on drop shots with a big bite shaky squirrel drop shot worm and a 1/8 or 3/16th weight. The float and fly bite is hit or miss right now but will be getting much better in the next few weeks because of forecasted colder weather.

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 remains very good. The numbers and quality of fish our clients caught this week where spring like numbers. We even had one that weighted 21 pounds. 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 to 30 feet deep. But the best bite is coming on the umbrella rigs fished 60 to 150 feet behind the boat at speeds of 2.4 to 3.1 miles and hour. When the fish are on top and they are very active they will eat almost anything. Spooks, Flukes, Rooster Tails and popping corks will all produce. The birds are giving the fish away. Any cloudy and raining days are your best bet for top water action. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details. Try the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 9.44 FEET, CLEAR & 54 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. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

December 28, 2011

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 10.31 FEET, 55 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. Try the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 4.60 FEET, CLEAR & 55 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 lures 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 coves 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.

December 28, 2011

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 59 DEGREES BY MATT BATY

Bass fishing is good. The bass are feeding up for the winter and heavy largemouths can be caught all over the lake right now. The best places are grass flats near the edge of the river channel out on the main lake. The best search bait for finding fish is a lipless crankbait such as a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Mudbug Red. This bait can be worked fast over the tops of the grass with a steady retrieve or a yo-yo action. When fishing this bait, be sure to use at least 16 lb. Sunline Fluorocarbon, as it is some of the best on the market. Once you locate fish in the grass, you can slow down and fish a slower shallow running crankbait such as a Stanford Cedar Baits Patriot 1.5 in Tennessee Shad. Just make sure you change the hooks to Gamakatsu EWG Bronze Treble Hooks Size 4. This bait has a lot of buoyancy and is awesome when eased through the tops of the grass beds. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools. Order the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.8 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass fishing is good and the fish are on grass lines, points and docks all day. The river is still stained and use a bright Stanley spinner bait with all white or chartreuse blades in the willow leaf style. Down lake use the Rebel Deep Wee R in the bone or parrot colors on docks and points. Use a dark Texas rigged Berkley Power worm in the larger sizes slowly worked on the docks on the lower lake. Later each day, use a Strike King 1/2 ounce bright blade spinner bait on lower lake grass beds. Cast these baits right on the banks and pull them slowly over the grass. A bubble gum Zoom Trick worm over the grass and around docks can get a strike. Add a rattle in the lure. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details. Order the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 5.86 FEET, 47 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 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 well 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 8-16 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 4-8 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 trolling also.

December 28, 2011

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

Bass fishing is fair. The rivers are heavily stained and its 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 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. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Order the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

December 28, 2011

LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 1.04 FEET, 54 DEGREES AND CLEAR.

Bass fishing is fair and the main lake is clear stained to muddy up the rivers. Over the past week the spoon bite is starting to take off on the south end of the lake. The fish are hanging on the ledges off of the main river channel. Look for the humps and long points that extend near the main river channels. The new Capt. Mack shad spoons are the hot ticket for these fish. There are still some fish under docks near to deep water. A jig and pig fished under these docks will put some extra fish in your boat.

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 back and it is running about 15 feet deep. Do not forget the live bait as you can still find schools roaming the same areas looking for a meal. Shad and shiners are working for the down line 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 you jig with a minnow to increase your bite. Lick Creek and Sugar Creek have been out producing most of the other creeks. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details. Remember to come to the Atlanta Boat show for the free fishing seminars. Mark will be there on Thursday talking about fishing on Lake Oconee.

December 28, 2011

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.10 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 60 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 has 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. Order the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

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.

Order the new Wave Away Screen Cleaner @ www.waveaway.com and put Ken Sturdivant in the referral box.

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

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