The Southern Fishing report by Ken Sturdivant 2-24

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com

February 24, 2012

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 7.60 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 51 DEGREES.

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, Jimbo’s Lake Lanier Guide Service. 770-542-7764

Bass fishing is very good and the fish have been active. They are definitely moving toward their spawning grounds and feeding up in preparation for this arduous process. We have been focusing our efforts both in the lower and upper lake with success everywhere. We have still been working the ditches and pockets in creek arms and we have also focused on main lake points and secondary points with rock/clay and brush that are near deep water. There are some fish that are showing up further away from deep water back in creek as well as main lake pockets. This provides confirmation that the pre-spawn period is progressing as it should with the warming water temperatures. We have found good activity shallow as well as in the 15 to 20 foot zone where brush is present. We have caught fish on Davis Shaky Head worms, jigs, and Spro jerk baits. The shallower fish in 15 feet of water or less seem to be the best fish and most available during periods of sunny weather, while the cloudy weather pushes the bait and fish deeper and positions the fish on the bottom. If there is wind blowing, fish your moving baits where the wind is the strongest and most direct into the bank and use a medium retrieve with any of the above moving baits. When using the jerk bait, make sure to impart two to three second pauses between your twitches. If you don’t get bit when fishing the moving baits in the wind, try the worm or jig as the wind allows. On certain days, we continue to find fish very shallow that will not respond to the moving baits, but will hammer a jig or worm. 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.

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. The patter remains one of covering a lot of water with a variety of baits. We are not marking a lot of fish on the Lowrance. We have had my best success putting out a spread of live baits and searching an area. Start in the back of the creeks early with no weight on the free lines on four planner boards with two on each side and two or three free lines behind the boat. Vary your length behind the boards and boat from 40 to 100 feet. Always hang a couple of down rods over the side and vary the depth depending the depth of the water. Once the suns gets up, move towards the middle of the creeks focusing on deep water points and creek channels. Weight your lines with 1 to 3 split shots. Vary your speed from .3 to 1.0 mile per hour. This will cause your baits to work better than being pulled at a constant speed. Put someone on the front deck and cast a Capt. Mack’s 1/2 oz. buck tail jig with a fluke trailer. The Umbrella rig will work and can be used effectively to check out the creek channels. There are fish in every creek with a high concentration of bait. However, Four Mile Creek, Six Mile Creek and Flat Creek continue to be the go to creeks. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

February 24, 2012

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 4.29 FEET, DIRTY & 59 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been good. Fishing has been consistent over the last few weeks with cold fronts and stabilizing weather. Nightly temperatures are beginning to be consistently warmer moving more fish into the pre spawn phase. Look for fish to become more scattered as they move up and away from their offshore holding areas. Cover water with small crank baits such as a Bandit 200 or Bomber 4A in red craw patterns. When you approach any piece of wood slow down with a shaky head or jig. For your shaky head use a Zoom green pumpkin trick worm. For your jig, use a black and blue 3/8 ounce All Terrain jig with a Z-Man Chunkz black and blue flake.

Hybrid and striper fishing is good. Fish are still on humps and road beds on main lake, but look to see their annual migration up river. For the upper river areas use live shad dropped into deeper holes where fish are present. The best areas are from Ringer access north.

Crappie fishing has been good. Fish are positioning further into creeks and pockets following bait as they position further into creeks. Troll minnows and Jiffy Jigs in ten to twelve feet of water leading back into creeks along the channel edge. The best areas have been Whitewater and Yellow Jacket creeks. Learn how to use the new Lowrance GEN2 Structure Map technology with our exclusive On the Water schools. www.havefunfishing.com

February 24, 2012

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 6.85 FEET, STAINED AND 51 DEGREES

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

Bass fishing is great. Tournament winning weights last week were 18+ lbs with the best 5. Fish are defiantly on the pre spawn pattern with a wide variety of baits and depths. The bigger bass are being caught on jigs and shakey head worms in the 12 to 15 foot range on bluffs and long points. Fish these baits slow and strikes will not be a problem to detect. As the sun comes up it is warming the stained sun beat bank in the low 50’s turning on a late evening crank bait bite. We are using a mix between a Fat John and a Little John MD to cover the water in the 1 to 7 foot range. Cover plenty of water and stained water is working best.

This Lake Allatoona fishing Guides Report has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 6282. www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia

Line side fishing is great and this is best February we can ever remember for line sides on Lake Allatoona. The fish are starting to stack up in the bays near Little River. The sea gulls are showcasing these fish and are easy to catch when they are on top. Live bait fished on free lines, Planner Boards along with throwing a spook we catch these fish. There is also a good down line bite from Galt’s Ferry up to Clear Creek. These fish are deep and can be anywhere from 18 to 40 feet deep. The south end is also picking up. Iron Hill is starting to produce some really nice stripers. The numbers are better up lake. But the bigger fish seem to be south. Trolling is also starting to pick up. We have caught some really good fish on Mack Farr umbrella rigs from Galt’s Ferry north to the S turns. We are starting to see some top water action in the morning but is very short and limited. The top water bite will improve as the water warms. So keep a Jr Spook ready. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.

February 24, 2012

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 7.92 FEET, CLEAR & 51 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good and the fish are on the creek points and creek bends all over the lake. The upper rivers are off colored so go into the creeks and look for any clearing water. Down lake, use the bleeding shiner Rat L Traps, spinner baits, lizards and Shad Raps and cast anything on the shallow bank cover. Road beds and trees in the water are holding schools of fish. The crank bait and spinner baits cast on the bank cover will get strikes. Big 1/2 ounce spinner baits down lake in the creeks are good. Work heavy bank cover way back in the creeks. Enticer 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. 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.

February 24, 2012

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 8.09 FEET, 52 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is good and the fish are ready to go shallow. Look for the fish early around docks and blow downs. Sinner baits and Flukes will get a big bite. Look on points in the creeks and the docks that are close by as they are holding fish. Flipping worms or jigs around and in heavy brush can draw a strike. The gourd green u tail Zoom worms on a Texas rig is fair just fish these baits slowly. Add scent using Jack’s Juice in the garlic flavor and work the lures in the same locations often. Most crank baits are slow but up the river use the 3/8 ounce Stanley spinner bait with all silver blades, and slow this bait on the wood on the banks. Shad Raps in the #7 size in shad color right on the banks cover later each day can draw strikes. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

February 24, 2012

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.30 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good and the backs of the creeks are the best locations all day. Use a bright Shad Rap or a Poe’s 300 crank baits on light 10 pound test Sufix Elite line. The Texas or Carolina rigged worms in motor oil or purple and good on the cuts. Add the brass and glass weight for extra sound and work lures right on the bank almost all day. The up river fish are biting in the creeks mouths and a Bang A Lure in gold black back or a buzz bait in all chartreuse will draw strikes. After the sun is high, use a 1/2 ounce Enticer spinner bait with gold and silver willow leaf blades. Up the lake the river is still stained to muddy. Get off the river into the creeks and find clear water. Bubble gum trick worms and spinner baits are good. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

February 24, 2012

LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED AND 61 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good and the shallow fishing is a great all day pattern. Shallow water patterns include flipping, Texas rigging and sight fishing. The trick worms are starting to get lots of action. If you are looking for an area to concentrate on Cowikee Creek is a good all day area. Fish the shallow cover with jigs and plastics. Also try swimming worms and jigs in grass close to the sandbars. Use a Carolina rig on main lake sandbars at approximately 6 feet deep where the grass meets the sand. Use the 6 inch lizard in watermelon seed and green pumpkin. Also have the Alabama rig ready for the schooners that will show up mid day on these same sand bars. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.

February 24, 2012

LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, 55 DEGREES, STAINED

Bass fishing is good. Fish the rip rap rock both early in the morning and again after the sun beats down on it for at least 45 minutes to an hour. Number five Jointed Shad Raps can be used in close to the rocks and use a DT10 hot mustard while fishing out a little deeper. Bounce these baits off the rocks then stop the bait for a two count then continue to reel it in slowly. A lot of the strikes will occur during the time the bait makes that dead slow rise, so be ready for any change in line direction. Carolina Rigs with Zoom trick worms in green pumpkin and creature baits will work. Slow roll a 3/8 ounce jig along the bottom in any shades of green or brown. Add a small amount of scent to the baits to cover any plastic or human scent on these baits. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Learn how to use the new GEN 2 Lowrance HDS machines. Call for details.

February 24, 2012

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 3.39 FEET STAINED AND 49 DEGREES BY MARK 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 spotted bass are biting in Little River and the Chattooga River, they are also being caught on main lake points and humps. Drop Shot rigs with a small craw or 4 inch Senko worm are working well, a Carolina rigged Senko worm is also catching fish. Large Mouth are starting to be caught in the bays and creeks on deeper brush and secondary points, Spinner baits and Carolina rigged plastics and the Alabama rig are producing fish.

Crappie fishing is good and a lot fish are being caught, long line trolling in the cove’s of the lower lake around Bay Springs, The bays and creeks in the upper Coosa river are starting to produce a lot of crappie also. Use 1/16 and 1/24 ounce Jiffy Jigs in colors JJ05, JJ13, JJ17,JJ18, JJ20. A few crappie are starting to be caught shooting docks with jigs. The fishing this year has been up and down with the weather.

February 24, 2012

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.37 FEET, 56 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is good and there are a lot of shallow bass biting in fairly shallow water although a few schools of bass remain deep. Small to medium sized crank baits and Rat L Traps are the main lure types producing fish, including larger bass. Catches with these baits are coming from clay and rocky banks, points and just inside the mouth of coves, docks, and rip rap. More fish will possibly be moving toward the middle and backs of coves during the current warming trend. Chrome and blue Rat L Traps in ¼ and ½ ounce sizes have both caught fish for several days now. Many of the fish are hitting half way back to the boat, so slow the bait down and allow it to bump bottom on each retrieve. We teach On the Water Schools for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for Ken details.

February 24, 2012

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 55 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is good and the main lake is clear, stained to muddy up the rivers. Small crank baits will work on the docks and wood inside the mouths of the creeks and large coves. This pattern has been the best over the last two weeks and it should hold until the fish commit to the spawn. Use a shad pattern in the clear water, and use a craw fish, or fire tiger pattern in the stained water. A backup pattern is a white spinner bait on the bridge rip rap when Ga. 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. The stripers and hybrids are not stacked up at the dam yet. They are showing up in the middle of the lake out over the river channel. Bait is the key. If you find the bait the stripers/hybrids will be close by. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools of bait and drop your bait in the schools. If they will not take the live bait then it is time to put out the Capt. Mack’s 4 arm u-rig and pull it all around the bait. This has been very effective the last few days. Run the rig 90 to 100 feet behind the boat at 3 miles per hour. The stripers may not show on the Lowrance but they are close to the bait. Keep a Cat. Mac spoon tied on. There are times that it will out produce the live bait.

Crappie fishing is good. The crappie are showing up in the back of the major creeks. Lick creek, Sugar Creek and up the rivers. This is the time of year to fill your cooler with big slabs. Spider rigging in the back of these creeks will produce the most fish. Tip your jig with a minnow for the best results. The best jug color has been the blue black, or the green black. This should last until the end of spring. But the biggest fish will be caught over the next few weeks. The weather is good and the fish are feeding so now is a good time to take a child fishing. Sugar Creek Marina has a complete line of striper gear, crappie jigs and all the bass tackle you will need. The spring striper bite is on the way now is a good time to stock up. We teach On the Water Schools for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for Ken details at 770 889 2654 for details.

February 24, 2012

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.67 FEET, CLEAR & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good and the shallow bite is especially good later in the day. Use a green V and M lizards or worms in larger sizes worms on a Texas rigged 3/16 ounce tungsten sinker. Fish the shallows almost all day and work the docks with the heaviest brush slowly. Later in the day, fish the lower lake docks and skip a large green Zoom trick worm under the docks and let it sink. Add a Venom glass rattle in the worm and let it sink on a free line. Slowly work the worm right in the brush around these docks, as the rising water forces the bass tight into the cover. Later each day as the water warms, work this same worm on the sea walls around the lake on the sunny sides of the lake. The warm sunlight will also warm these areas, making the bass more active. Also late each day, slow roll an Enticer buzz baits with the fire tiger blades right on the docks and sea walls. We teach On the Water Schools for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for Ken details at 770 889 2654 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.

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.