The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 12-9

The Southern Fishing Report

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

December 8, 2011

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 12.44 FEET, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 56 DEGREES.

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

Spotted bass fishing is good. We have been focusing on pockets and points near the mouths of the creeks as well as steeper main lake rocky banks and points in the lower lake for the majority of our fish. The visible schooling activity has decreased some this week and the fish in the lower lake are relating more strongly to the cover than last week. There have been some very good fish pulling up shallow at times and can be caught with jerk baits, crankbaits, jigs, as well as a Fish Head Spin. Windblown main lake rocky points as well as secondary rocky points next to deep water seem to be the ticket to find these shallow fish. There are still fish out deep relating to the timber, and these fish can be caught on a spoon or drop shot. The timber is your best bet for numbers of fish right now, but the size of most of those fish is two pounds or less. When searching for these fish, use your Lowrance electronics to identify subtle structure changes. Where there is bait, there is or will soon be fish. A consistent big fish bite should occur in and around the timber in deep 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.

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 colder temperatures this week has not made a significant difference in the fishing. We continue to have two patterns. There is still a down rod bite on the South end of the lake in the creek mouths. Use your Lowrance Structure Scan to find these fish and drop baits to them on down rods. Trout, Gizzard Shad and Herring are all working. The key difference is with Herring you will also pick up a few spotted bass. There is also a bite half way back in the creeks on flats and long sloping points. The key continues to be bait. 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 hang a couple of down lines over the side. 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 and Gizzards 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. Keep your eyes open for diving birds and ensure you have a Captain Mack’s 1/2 ounce bucktail with a trailer tied on to cast. Flowery Branch, Mud, Orr 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.

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

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

December 8, 2011

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 12.34 FEET, STAINED & 54 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been great. This is the time to catch a lot of fish. Numbers are easy to catch with the cooler temperatures and low water. Lake conditions right now are really low. Use extreme caution when navigating the lake right now. With the lower water stay within channel markers when navigating areas that you are not familiar with. The best ramps still available are located at Yellow Jacket Creek access. These conditions although difficult to run have made for some great winter time offshore fishing. Learn to use the Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan technology with the new Generation 2 machines. Catching thirty plus fish a day is very possible. The two best baits are a jigging spoon and drop shot rig. For a jigging spoon use silver or gold half ounce jigging spoons. On sunny days use silver and cloudy days switch to gold. For drop shot rigs use a number one Gamakatsu drop shot hook tied eighteen inches above a quarter ounce drop shot weight. Locate bait offshore in depths eighteen to twenty feet of water. Fish are positioned on structure relating to the main river channel. Once you have located fish stay put as catching numbers is very possible.

Hybrid and striper fishing is great. There are two patterns dominating right now. You can catch fish by down lining live shad on humps and rod beds. If fish have scattered from offshore structure switch to trolling medium depth crankbaits such as a Bomber Fat Free shad in a shad pattern. Troll baits near the main river channel. As you begin trolling these areas look for bait that is grouped up and fish will not be far behind them.

Crappie fishing has been fair. Trolling has begun to pick up a little this week. Troll a 1/8 ounce Poor Boys 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 8, 2011

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 11.59 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR

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

Bass fishing is fair and we do not think the rain we had will change a lot. The crank bait bite is one of the best things going. Cover lots of water in the 5 to 10 range with something like a little John mid running CB. Fish are a little scattered right now and are more tight to cover after the cold front. Even thought the water is still in the low 60’s there is a pretty good drops hot bite mid like. Fish the drop shot in the 15 foot range in the mouth of creeks between red top and Bartow carver. Fishing should get better when the cooler air sets in.

This Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Report Is Bought To You By Robert Eidson Of First Bite Guide Service. www.firstbiteguideservice.com 770 827-6282

Line side fishing is good. The rain we had again earlier this week as really stain the north end of the lake. This really didn’t hurt our fish because we were not spending that much time north of the S turns any way. There are fish in the S-Turns but mostly white bass. The umbrella rig bite is starting to be the best over all bite on the lake. Free lines and planner boards are working early in the morning and then again right before dust. But end between sun up and sun down the umbrella bite is king. There is a down rods bite buy nothing like the umbrella bite. We caught most of our fish again this week on our umbrella rigs then using live bait and that is about norm for most of the winter. We are targeting the flats from the S turns all the way up to Clear Creek. We are not fishing in the Allatoona arm right now. Theres a ton of fish moving up on flats and points to feed on small threadfin. Catch them on jigging spoons or Rooster Tails if you can get them deep enough. Fish these baits at 10 to 12 feet deep. The flats off Gault’s have been good, as well as the island at Harbor Town and Bartow Carver. Seagulls are starting to show up. Key on birds and topwater and have a Super Fluke, Sammy or Zara Spook ready. Pull flat lines and planer boards, and later in the mornings pull a lighter three arm umbrella rig.

December 8, 2011

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 8.75 FEET, CLEAR & 58 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and there is a little colored up in the creeks and rivers this week. The cold winds and the cold fronts slowed the fishing down a little. Jigging spoons over suspended bass early and then slow retrieves with a suspending jerk bait are fair. Finding the bass is easy but staying put in the wind might be a little difficult. Carolina rigged worms and Zoom mini lizard in green pumpkin would be your better choice during the windy days but be sure to use a larger plain egg sinker and 0ne ounce would be best. The Rapala DT16 will work on the suspended bass. Downsize your tackle during the winter months. Eight pound test line might just be that added edge you are looking for. 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 8, 2011

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 10.75 FEET, 57 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is fair after the cold front and the heavy rain. The blue back herring are now being found in large schools all over the lake now and the Bass are getting fat in preparation for the cold Winter months ahead. Be prepared to fish a lot slower this week and down size your baits will improve your chances. With the cold weather, try the Number 4 RS Shad Rap and nothing bigger than a Number 5 Jointed Shad Rap. Bass will move up along the banks during cold weather just after mid day. Use the Sufix Elite 10 pound test line and these baits coupled with a good fiberglass cranking rod draw some bigger bass. Try the combination and head up in the rivers and use a slow stop and go retrieve. You may need to make a lot of casts and cover a lot of water. The results can be the best and biggest bass this month.

December 8, 2011

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.44FEET, CLEAR & 59 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and the rain and strong winds hit did slow the fishing. Beaverdam Creek is showing some good colored water along with the area off the Savannah River north. Some bass are still holding tight to cover in ten to twelve foot of water, while others choose to suspend out on the main lake. Jigging spoons will work on the suspended bass, but picking apart the heavy cover with jigs and tubes will catch those stubborn bass. Don’t forget to fish all the Rip Rap Rock you can find along with the large rocky points. DT10’s bouncing off the rocks will trigger the more active fish to strike. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

December 8, 2011

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR, 57 DEGREES BY MATT BATY

Bass fishing is good and there is a good lipless crankbait bite going on right now. Look for shallow grass flats in about 4 to 5 feet of water and throw a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Old Glory or the chrome and black pattern. Sometimes the fish will be on top of the flat and the trap will catch them, but sometimes the fish will be on the edge of the flat in a little bit deeper water. A great way to catch them is to throw a Stanford Medium Razor Shad in Summer Color. Another pattern that is really turning on is flipping main lake grass lines. When flipping, look for about 7 to 8 feet of water and use 1 ounce weights, 5/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Worm hooks, a Snell Knot, and a 6" Big Bite Baits Kreit Kreature in watermelon and green pumpkin. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.

December 8, 2011

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.95 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR

Bass fishing is good and now is a good time to fish visible stump filled flats, creek flats and main lake drop offs or around islands. Use the crank baits along weed lines, plastic worms, lizards, tube baits or topwater lures in and around the lily pads. Also, any point with wood, weed and rock cover should be fished hard with a variety of lures, in many ways. Fish with spinnerbaits right up in the lily pad fields. Frog imitations are very weedless and one of the best lures in early winter around lily pad fields. There are loads of schooling bass in open water situations that can now be fooled on jerk baits, swimbaits, crankbaits and lipless lures. Keep a top water bait rigged and ready.

December 8, 2011

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 4.63 FEET, 51 DEGREES & STAINED 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 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.

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

December 8, 2011

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.36 FEET, 62 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass are moving to the points and creek bends down lake and are tight on cover. Down lake, use the Rattle Back 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh, on the heavy cover. The crank bait and spinner baits cast on the bank cover and slowly worked will get strikes. Later in the day, spinner baits down lake in the creeks are fair, just work bank cover. Stanley spinner baits with bright blades will draw shallow strikes as the bass move to the creek banks and points during the day. The Zoom water melon seed lizards on a Carolina rig, has been good 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 8, 2011

LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 1.75 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR.

Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com

Bass fishing is fair. There is a light stain on main lake, stained up the rivers. With the drop in air temperatures this week the fishing has slowed some. The fish are still in the middle to the back of the creeks and coves, as is the bait. The buzz bait bite is gone for now. It is time to switch to a spinnerbait. Work the structure in the creeks with a white spinner bait in the clear water and a chartreuse spinner bait in the stained water. As the water temp drops slow down your retrieve. The smaller crank baits are still producing some fish from under the docks. When you contact the dock supports stop your bait for a few seconds some times this will trigger a strike. It jig bite is just around the corner so be ready when the water temp drops.

Line side fishing is good to excellent. Keep an eye out for the birds as they are starting to show up. The fish have shown up this past week from the 44 bridge to the dam. 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. A 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. Always 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. Just in they have Captain Macs spoons and crappie jigs for the winter season. 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. Make plans to attend the Atlanta Boat show January 12-15. Come to the fish tank and say Hi.

Crappie fishing is good 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. The spider rig bite should start up in the next few weeks.

December 8, 2011

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 3.26 FEET, LIGHT STAIN & 60 DEGREES

Bass fishing has been fair with the cold weather and runoff. Use the Rattle Back black and blue or all black 1/2 ounce jig and a larger Pro Pork Trailer by Uncle Josh on the heavy cover. The bass are tight in cover and the Zoom lizards in pumpkinseed colors is barely fair. In the creeks on points close to the current use the dark jig and pig combination fishing tight in any cover on the bank as far out as 15 feet. Use some Real Craw scent and use it often casting to the same location. Cast a perch Storm Thunder Stick jerk bait and add the suspend dots and make the bait suspend on any retrieve. Pull the bait by and wood or dock and let it sit there and beg for a strike.

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.

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.

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

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

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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