December, 2014 | Ga Fishing

“The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge Drive

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.southernfishing.com

December 18, 2014

LAKE LANIER IS 3.9 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & LOW 50’S

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764

Bass fishing is good. You can still catch fish shallow or deep and everywhere in between. In general, I suggest looking for areas with rock and quick access to deep water as well as creek ditches as primary locations for your search. The early morning bite has been good this week on a jig and a Fish Head. The underspin fish have been extremely shallow in the mornings in the very back of pockets and creek arms. Work the bait slowly. Focus on rock and clay points in the mornings with the aforementioned lures. Also, probe the ditches close to these type areas as many fish are now relating to those typical winter areas. Look for bait in the area you are fishing. If there is no bait, move on. The Davis Shaky Head with a Zoom Finesse worm has been producing some bites as well, so don’t hesitate to throw the worm out there if the bite slows. The cold nights we have been experiencing will continue to push more fish out deep. A spoon fished around the timber edges in ditches from 40 to 55 feet has been productive also. This is really fun when you find them as you can often catch a bunch of fish quick. If the spoon fish are not biting in the timber, try the worm and jig. Those two are good bets on any day out there deep. For those of you that have contacted me or talked about learning the Fish Head Spin bite in the ditches, now is the time to schedule a trip. They are eating the Fish Head in the ditches well in the mornings, and this is a technique you must learn if you want to ensure consistent quality catches in the winter time. Also, this is a great time to learn how to fish the deep timber on Lanier.

Jimbo will be hosting 2 training classes, one on January 17, 2015 and one on January 31st, 2015. These will be intensive Lanier focused classes addressing areas such as: Fishing the deep timber, fishing ditches, reading electronics, ledge fishing, matching tackle and lure presentations, along with much, much more. Call or email me for more information on these valuable seminars. jim@laniermapped.com, 770 542 7764. Here is what I have open for the rest of December: 29 and 30. Give me a call and let’s go bust some big ones! Also, with Christmas coming, guide trip certificates make great presents. Give the gift of Jimbo for Christmas.

This Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On Service 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing is good and the shallow water bite is picking up. The key on the south end has been Sea Gulls and Loons. There is a significant difference this year with feeding Loons. In years past we would never saw a Loon feeding in the backs of the creeks and in shallow water less than 10 feet. This year, we are seeing a lot of Loons fishing shallow water in the creeks. Consequently, there are more stripers feeding on the bait pushed up by the Loons. You may want to check areas where shallow water loons are feeding. One way is to move into the area and cast a 1/2 ounce Capt. Mack’s buck tail jig with a small fluke trailer. You may also want to check these areas for Stripers with your Lowrance HDS. Even better yet, do both. Keep your eye on your Lowrance and cast a buck tail. On the north end of the lake, your best bet is to fish the creeks with the highest concentration of bait. Herring and Trout pulled on free lines and planner boards half way back in the creeks is your best bet. Most of the Stripers are related to points but do not overlook the bays and flats. The Umbrella rig is working all over the lake. Pull points and flats 80 to 100 feet back in 20 to 30 feet of water. There are fish in all of the creeks but mid lake has been a little better than extreme North or South. We have Christmas gift certificates available which are good for one year. Call Big Fish On Guide Service at 404-561-2564 to purchase a certificate.

Jimbo Mathley will be hosting two Bass fishing classes one on Saturday, January 17, 2015 and second on Saturday, January 31, 2015. The classes will be from 9 AM until 12:30 PM and will be held at the Dekalb Office Conference Room, which is located off of Exit 12 on GA 400, 1320 Ridgeland Parkway in Alpharetta. These trainings will be intensive Lanier focused sessions to include detailed information on some of the following popular topics: Winter fishing to include ditch and timber fishing. How to find the best areas and how to fish them. How to identify and fish productive ledges. Tournament fishing pointers to include developing a game plan as well as managing the mental side of fishing. Matching tackle to techniques. Reading and understanding electronics and processing the information you see to make better fishing decisions. Establishing seasonal patterns and much more. There will be a generous time slot allowed for an open forum and question answer period, as well as time for one on one questions after the training ends. The first session will be more winter focused. The second session will address prepping for the winter and spring transition which will start in February. Each class will have a short morning break as well to include refreshments. Call or e mail Jimbo Mathley. Register and pay in advance, prior to January 14, 2015, the price structure will be as follows: $69 for one training, $99 for both training sessions. Day of/at the door price will be $85 for either session. Space is limited so I highly recommend making your reservations in advance ASAP. There has already been a great deal of interest expressed from many people, so spots will go fast. Call 770 542 7764 or email me at jim@laniermapped.com. Payment forms accepted include: cash, check, credit card, and Pay Pal. Please note that all electronic transactions will have a $7 processing fee added.

Call Ken Sturdivant about the ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar or the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass or a full day STRIPERS School. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com

The 2015 Atlanta Boat Show is January 11, through 15, 2015 at The Georgia World Congress Center. Meet these anglers in the “Let’s Go Fishing Center”: Ken Sturdivant, Dan Saknini, Mark Smith, Jimbo Mathley, Al Bassett, Matt Henry, Matt Henry, Tom Branch, Jr., Rick Burns, Rene Hess CCI, Captain Mark Smith, Randy Hancock, Matt Driver, and Chris Scalley.

December 18, 2014

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 6.7 FEET, CLEAR & LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is good. The fish are bunched up and they are biting any size and color jigging spoon. Look for these fish at 25 to 35 feet deep off any point close to the river. Flex It spoons in silver and white are the best colors. Use the Lowrance and look for the bait balls with fish around them. Also look on the road beds, bridge columns and deep brush piles. Most of the best action has been from mid to down lake. Up lake, there is still a Chatterbait and crank bait bite going on. Shad colored Fat Free shad crank baits on 12 pound Sufix line will get some spots and largemouth. Yellow Jacket Creek and Half Moon Creek and great area’s to fish.

Lake levels from http //lakes.southernco.com/

Anglers have GPS Bass fishing locations and a BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE book is for sale. Ask ken for a sample. This book is $39.00. Sample just e mail ken@southernfishing.com

December 18, 2014

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 16.1 FEET, STAINED & LOW 50’S

This Lake Allatoona bass fishing guides report is from Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com

Bass fishing is fair. In the morning there is a good crank bait bite that can last throughout the day. Cast a Bandit 200 or 300 in Copper Craw or a Natural colored Shad Rap to main lake points. After you finish fishing the crank bait, back off of the points and make long casts with a Paca Bug Jig or Bass Patrol jig in root beer green or browns. Both of these jigs are football style jigs. Fish the bait very slowly and watch your line for any slight movement. The bites can be very subtle. Fishing the steep rock banks right now is a good way to catch fish. Use a Shaky Head in 3/16 ounce sine and add a 6” Robo Worm in SXE Shad which is working. There are still reports of a good drop shot bite. Fish the mouths of the creeks with a Skinny Bear Shad or any Shad style bait. Use your Lowrance sonar to help locate bait fish. When you find the bait, drop the worm and shake it to produce a bite. Using a heavier than normal weight works well because the bait is moving fairly quickly. Use a ½ ounce round bullet weight brand drop shot weight.

This Lake Allatoona fishing Guides Report for striper and hybrids is brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 to 6282. www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia email eidson6260@att.net

Line side fishing is good and this week we fished mid lake from Kellogg’s Creek to Clear Creek. We caught some really nice hybrids and stripers on down lines, flat lines spoons and umbrella rigs. We even caught a few nice fish on planner boards this past week. We look for the planner board bite to be wide open in the next two to three weeks. The fish are starting to move halfway back into the creeks and up on the flats. We also starting to see more top water action midday. The fish that are hugging the bottom are willing to eat almost anything. The suspended fish are a little more picky. If they don’t bite within 10 minutes move on to another school. We are running a December Special and book a six hour trip on Lake Allatoona.

Anglers, we have a book on BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA that has GPS 50 coordinates also. Ask for samples of the book and the coordinates from ken@southernfishing.com

Call Ken about the Southern Fishing Schools exclusive ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR or Rods Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for 770 889 2654 or ken@southernfishing.com for more info

The 2015 Atlanta Boat Show is January 11, through 15, 2015 at The Georgia World Congress Center. Meet these anglers in the “Let’s Go Fishing Center”: Ken Sturdivant, Dan Saknini, Mark Smith, Jimbo Mathley, Al Bassett, Matt Henry, Matt Henry, Tom Branch Jr., Rick Burns, Rene Hess CCI, Captain Mark Smith, Randy Hancock, Matt Driver, and Chris Scalley.

December 18, 2014

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 5.5 FEET & LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is fair and the fish are on secondary points and moving to the coves all over the lake. Start shallow with a half ounce Bass Pro Enticer spinner bait in bright colors and blades and make lots of casts to any wood. Keep a Zoom Super Fluke ready all day and pearl is the best color. The creek points down lake at 10 feet and docks close by have bass close by. Get all baits tight to cover and mid day go to the creek ledges and cast a Bagley’s baby bass Killer B II. Use the Texas rigged lizard in pumpkinseed or water melon and add some Real Craw scent. Around the deeper lower lake sea walls and docks, use a green Zoom trick worm on and around the docks and work it off the bottom with no weight. A Fish Head Spin with a Fluke in pearl trailer slowly reeled past this structure will work. Slowly work the worm right in the brush around these docks. The “Bass Fishing Lake Hartwell” guide is for sale. Ask for a free sample via e mail.

Our Bass Fishing Lake Hartwell book has over 100 key bass fishing holes. Ask for a sample at ken@southernfishing.com for a sample. See our web site for Rods Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.

December 18, 2014

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 6.1 FEET, LOW 50’S DEGREES & CLEAR

Bass fishing is fair. Bass will be suspending on the ledges on or around all major points. Deep diving crank baits like the DT10 from Rapala will get down to these fish. Also try the suspending 7 Rapala Shad Rap and add four or five storm suspend strips to the front of the bait. Long casts will be necessary for full performance and getting down to these suspending fish. Best bet will be to go about half way up either of the two main rivers and stay off the points and areas around them. Make long casts and crank the bait down fast for the first eight to ten feet then slow the bait down to almost a crawl. Work the area thoroughly then move to another. Early morning to mid day will be the most productive using this pattern. Later on use a blue or black and blue jig combination. Any and all wood structure needs a good application of the jig. The bite at times will be very subtle and you may not even feel one at all.

Remember, if you need a Lake Hartwell Fishing Guide as a gift for Christmas, we will need two weeks to process your order. The book, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL LAKE is on sale. Get 52 weeks of bass fishing and over 40 bass fishing locations for this popular lake. Ask for a free sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE CLARKS HILL book. For a sample: ken@southernfishing.com

December 18, 2014

LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is fair. Fish as many points as possible. The bass have moved out of the creeks and onto the main lake. Some small bass are still taking their time to move out of the creeks but these fish are really small. Whether up in the Savannah or Rocky River stay on the main portion of the lake and fish the points. The key will be to find the ones that product the best bass and fish all the points that have the same structure on them. The spotted bass seem to be holding to the points that have the most rock on them while the largemouth are leaning to the ones with the most wood on them. Use small Shad Raps and the Rapala DT10 and DT14 in green tiger and natural shad. Late in the day use the Carolina rig and dark finesse worms. Be sure to use at least a 3 foot leader on this rig with the Carolina Keeper and a full one ounce weight.

Sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL e mail ken@southernfishing.com

December 18, 2014

LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN .90 FEET, CLEAR, LOW 60’S

Bass fishing is good. Spring Creek is the place to be now with the cold water. Bass are being caught in Spring Creek on big Texas rigged worms. Use a Big Bite Baits Kriet Tail Worm in 10 inch and watermelon seed or red bug are good color choices. Use a big 5/0 wide gap hook with fluorocarbon line and a 1/4 Tru Tungsten lead. Try and match the color of the worm with the lead. The bite can be slow, but big ones like to eat in Spring Creek. The channel bends that sweep across I 75 run is a good place to start looking for bass. If the bite is really slow use a straight tail worm instead of a big curly tail. A Big Bite Baits 5″ Trick Stick or 6″ Finesse worm in watermelon seed works well on the same rig.

Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com

December 18, 2014

LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, LOW 60’S

Bass fishing is fair. The fish are holding tight to cover close to deeper water and at the very back of the creeks where fresh water is flowing out. Fish a black and blue Spro finesse jig with a Big Bite Baits green pumpkin chunk close to blow downs and hydrilla mats near deep water. Fish a black and Blue Yomama with a 1 ounce Tru to Tungsten flipping weight in the mats of hydrilla on the flats close to the main river channel. Shake it in the mat for twenty to thirty seconds to get bit. Fish a white or white and chartreuse Picasso spinner bait or Spro Aruke Shad in blue chrome where fresh water is flowing in at the back of the creeks. There are also a few fish biting in the deeper brush. Fish the deep brush piles in 12 to 15 feet of water with a Texas rigged June bug Big Bite Baits 6″ Kriet Tail Worm with a 1/2 ounce Tru Tungsten weight. Look for balls of shad around the main river and creek ledges in 25 to 40 feet of water. Drop a chrome Hopkins spoon or a drop shot with a Big Bite Baits green pumpkin finesse worm down to the fish relating to these balls of shad.

Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com

DECEMBER 18, 2014

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is fair. The Lake is full, light stain in the rivers, clearing down the lake. Start in the backs of the coves off of the main lake and work your way out using small crank baits around docks and sea walls. Chrome rattle trips are working best. Fish these baits slow as the water has cooled. The middle to back of the major creeks are working best. The keeper fish have moved into the shallows over the past week. Some fish are coming on jigs with a green or brown trailer. Use your Lowrance to locate schools of bass in the middle of the creeks and drop a jigging spoon down to them. This has been working best when the sun is high at mid day.

Striper/hybrid report by Mark Smith of Reel Time Guide Service. Phone 404 803 0741 or reeltime@bellsouth.net

Striper fishing is good. Look for birds working bait and the fish will be under them. You can use a Capt. Mack Spoon in the naturel pattern or live shiners. When you see the birds use your Lowrance to locate the schools and how deep the fish are and drop your live bite or spoons down to the fish. Most of the fish are from the 44 bridge to the dam.

Crappie fishing is good. Most of the crappie have been in the mouths to the middle of the major creeks. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools in the timber and then drop live bait down to them. The other method that is working is to use a spider rig and work a large area of the creeks with jigs tipped with a minnow. Blue and black jigs have been the color of choice.

December 18, 2014

WEISS LAKE IS AT 5′ 2″ BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR TO LIGHT STAINED AND 48/50 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair and the fish are moving to a deeper winter pattern. The lake is low so be careful. 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 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.

DECEMBER 18, 2014

LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 54 DEGREES, STAINED UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 478 451 0167 ext 1215 (SINCLAIR MARINA)

WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COM MATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM

Bass fishing is fair. The shallow bite was most consistent this week but there have been a good many fish holding in deeper water as well. The warm afternoons this week moved the fish up on the shallow protected docks. A Buckeye Mop jig paired with a Zoom Super Chunk trailer worked really well for bigger fish flipping the walkways of these shallow docks. This pattern works best on bright sunny days. Brown and green pumpkin were the best colors this week in the mid-lake area. If the jig isn’t getting any bites, switch to a Buckeye Spot Remover shaky head with a green pumpkin trick worm and fish the same docks. On cloudy days or early in the morning, a Spro Mcstick 110 jerk bait in the chrome shad color will get many bites fishing main lake points. This is a good way to catch a lot of fish fast. If you would like to target deep fish or if cold weather moves in, use your Lowrance HDS electronics to find the schools of bait near structure in 25-35ft of water. Creek channels at the mouth of creeks, humps, or shell beds are all good places to catch these deep fish right now. A chrome and green holographic spoon has been working well on these fish. If the spoon isn’t working, switch to a drop shot rig to finesse the fish into biting.

I have limited availability in December and guide trips are booking up fast. Gift certificates are also available and make great Christmas presents for friends and family. Give me a call to book your trip today! Make sure to stop by our new boat showroom and see our 2014 and 2015 inventory of new Tracker, Sun Tracker, Nitro, Tahoe, Regency and Mako boats. For more information, swing by the marina, check out our sales page or call 478 451 0167.

DECEMBER 18, 2014

JACKSON LAKE IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is fair. Bass can be found in or near deeper winter holding areas. Look at 15 to 20 feet to target for the deeper fish. Concentrate on points, humps, and bluff banks on the main river channel. Locations with deep rock will tend to hold concentrations of fish. The key to finding active fish is to find a group holding together or stay with the bait. Sunny rocks and docks will draw fish shallow when located adjacent to deep water. On a warm afternoon fish with deep running cranks like a Bandit or Shad Rap shallow on the rocks and out to deeper water. Some color in the water will also help to pull fish shallow. The colder the water, the more quality bass will be drawn to solar heated rocks, docks, and shallow stained water. Fish a Net Boy jig on deep water docks. Also fish 1/2 to 3/4 ounce Net Boy football jigs slowly through the deep water holding areas. Use brown or other natural color tipped with a brown or green pumpkin Super Chunk Jr. Shaky heads will also work on the docks and deep water structure. Rig them with trick, finesse worms and Senko’s. Slow down your presentations and fish a 1/8 ounce head. If the wind is blowing target deep water and use a ½ ounce or a ¾ ounce bullet weight for an advantage. Spoons are also picking up deep bass relating to bottom and bait. Use a subtle yo yo action just above the bottom.

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.

Anglers have these books for sale BASS FISHING ON WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE, and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books are written by Tim White and Ken Sturdivant and each one has over 65 locations exclusively for bass and 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.

2015 Atlanta Boat Show

“Let’s Go Fishing” Center Seminars

Thursday, January 15, 2015

2:00 pm Trophy Bass Fishing, Bass Tubs of Oklahoma

3:00 pm Crappie Year Round, Al Bassett

4:00 pm Bass Tactics, Rick Burns

5:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West

6:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant

7:00 pm Fly Fishing, Rene Hess CCI

8:00 pm Lake Lanier Crappie, Dan Saknini

Friday, January 16, 2015

1:00 pm Crank Baits for Bass, Ken Sturdivant

2:00 pm Trophy Bass Fishing, Bass Tubs of Oklahoma

3:00 pm Crappie Year Round, Al Bassett

4:00 pm Fly Fishing, Rene Hess

5:00 pm Lake Lanier Crappie, Dan Saknini

5:30 pm Bass Fishing Lake Lanier, Jimbo Mathley

6:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West

7:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant

8:00 pm Lake Oconee, Captain Mark Smith

Saturday, January 17, 2015

11:00 am Crappie Year Round, Mark Smith

Noon Fly Fishing, Rene Hess

1:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West

2:00 pm Crappie Year Round, Al Bassett

2:30 pm Inshore Fishing in the waters near Savannah, Jack McGowan

3:00 pm Peacock Bass, Randy Hancock

3:30 pm Springtime Spotted Bass, Jim Mathley

4:00 pm Lake Allatoona Bass, Matt Driver

4:30 pm Trout on the Chattahoochee River, Chris Scalley

5:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant

6:00 pm Bass Tactics, Rick Burns

7:00 pm Lake Oconee, Captain Mark Smith

8:00 pm Trophy Bass Fishing, Bass Tubs of Oklahoma

Sunday, January 17, 2015

11 am Trophy Bass Fishing, Bass Tubs of Oklahoma

Noon Lake Oconee Crappie, Al Bassett

1:00 pm Trout on the Chattahoochee River, Chris Scalley

2:00 pm Lowrance HDS Technology, Ken Sturdivant

3:00 pm Stripers! Captain Ken West

4:00 pm Lake Allatoona Bass, Matt Driver

Month: December 2014

Ga Fishing – Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report – 12-19-14