Georgia Fishing presents this weeks report from my good friend Ken Sturdivant!
“The Southern Fishing Report”
By Ken Sturdivant
106HickoryRidge
770 889 2654
CummingGeorgia30040
March 15, 2014
LAKE LANIER IS .49 FEET DOWN FEET, THEMAINLAKEIS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE PARTLY STAINED & 49 DEGREES
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764
Bass fishing has been improving over the past week with the warming weather. Hopefully, things will continue to progress again after this brief cold front pushes through. Fish can still be found in the back of creeks and on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels. A jig, a Davis Shaky Head and a jerk bait have been the most productive lures still this week. The dock bite is starting to pick up as well, particularly when the sun is out. Look for the docks in the 15 to 20 feet range at the front to be the best right now, and if brush is around, even better. Also, look for the rocky areas in creek that receive all day sun to continue to produce at times also. These areas still need to be next to deep water for the most part, although you can find activity in the backs of creeks and pockets in shallower water. Now is a great time to learn prespawn fishing on Lanier. We have the following dates open the remainder of March: 20, 28, 29, 31. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
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 very good. Striper fishing is the best it has been all year in terms of both size and numbers. The break in the weather and increasing water temperatures has broken the fish out of their winter doldrums. The fish are relating to points and flats from the mouth of the creeks to all the way in the back of the creeks. Free lines with herring and trout 120 feet back and planner boards with bait at varying distances from 25 feet to 100 feet is your best technique. Consider adding one or two split shots which will help get your baits a little deeper. Casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke trailer while pulling baits will get you an extra fish. There is also a open water bite in the mouths of the mid lake creeks which defies traditional thinking of shallow in the backs of the creeks at this time of the year. Stripers have a way of throwing you a curve about the time you think you have them figured out. The message here is sometimes you have to fish where they are and not where they are supposed to be. The lake is clear with the back of the creeks slightly stained and the water temperatures are ranging from 50 to 54 degrees.
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059
Crappie fishing is very good. The water temperature is a couple degrees cooler than normal for this time of year. The average temperature has been about 53 degrees. With the warmer days ahead of us, expect it to creep up to around 60 degrees by the weekend. The best thing going for us is the FULL MOON, which is due this weekend. Fishing should be at its best for the next few weeks. We’ve been catching a lot of fish! Your targeted areas should be the backs of creeks, fifteen feet and shallower. If you can find a creek where the water stain is apparent, these areas will be even better. Whether you are trolling, shooting docks or using crappie minnows, all are working well. This is the time to take off to go fish if you can (feel a fever coming on?) Always remember that the best way to catch crappie is to find their living room. Their “living room” is always some kind of structure shallow brush piles and shallow docks are favorite spots. With a lot of fishermen taking advantage of the weather, our advice is to move frequently. You never know if the spot has just been fished. If you don’t get a bite in a few minutes, move on. Take your kids, your grandkids, your wives, your girl friends everyone will enjoy crappie fishing like this. This is the time of year that it’s easier to catch them and therefore even more fun for all. Stay safe on the water, and always wear a life jacket. Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, www.laniercrappieanglers.com. Call Ken Sturdivant about the ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar or the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass or a full day STRIPER School. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
WESTPOINTLAKEIS DOWN 5.8 FEET, STAINED & MID TO UPPER 60 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The fish are really trying to get shallow but there is one more front on the way. The best bite is fishing 10 to 12 foot brush piles in the creeks. Use the Rapala DT10 in fire tiger and chrome Rat L Traps just running the banks. These colder temperatures will slow the migration for bass. Stained water conditions can hamper the deeper bite and the shoreline structure is a good option. Spinner baits, Chatter baits and jigs are going tobe heavy favorites this week and with a stained lake. Use the chartreuse and white with a Coloradoblade will be a good choice. Use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology to help find the concentrations of bait and the bass will be there too. We have GPS Bass fishing locations and a BASSFISHINGWESTPOINTLAKEbook for sale. Ask ken for a sample. This book is $39.00. If you would like a sample, send us an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKEALLATOONAIS DOWN 6.6 FEET, STAINED & LOW 50 DEGREES
This LakeAllatoonabass fishing report is from Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com 404 456 6094
Bass fishing is good and the big fish are biting but the bites are few and far between. The shallow bite is where it’s at for big fish. The plastic swim baits, chatter bait, square bill, and the weightless soft plastic Big Bite cane stick fished in 1 to 8 feet of water on routes to spawning areas. Use a 6 foot medium cranking rod and a Lews speed spool reel on 15 pound Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon. Fishing these baits slow in stained water, in areas where sun hits the banks and warms the water (north shore side). Be ready as the bite is ever so slight and the rod just loads up. The front and rain may change things for the next few days but this is nothing drastic. The soft plastic jerk bait will start up soon. It has been taking 15 to 20+ lbs to win tournaments over the last few weeks.
This LakeAllatoonafishing guides report for striper and hybrid has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 6282
www.firstbiteguideservice.com eidson6260@comcast.net.
Line side fishing is fair. The south end of the lake is still holding fish but not as many as week’s past. We caught fish this past week as far north as Kellogg’s Creek and as far south asClark’s Creek. The fish are still hitting flat line and planner board’s best early morning. By 9:30am the umbrella rig bite seems to be best with the water warming as fast as it is right now. Start looking for these fish to move north. It is all most time for the spring run. April is one of the best months for Stripers and Hybrids onLakeAllatoona. If you would like to book a trip give us a call at 770 827 6282 for availability.
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
March 15, 2014
LAKEHARTWELLIS FULL, THEMAINLAKEIS CLEAR AND 51 DEGREES, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND 57 DEGREES
From Jimbo’s Guide Service onLakeHartwellby guideRickSteckelberg.
Bass fishing is fair and the fish are on main lake pockets and ditches in the backs of the creeks. The Shad Rap has continued to be reliable in the creek pockets as well as an Ito Vision 110 jerk bait, Fish Head Spin and a jig. There is one more cold front around but the fish are biting best afternoons. The X Raps are working on the points with a slow jerking motion along with the DT6 and jointed Shad Raps. Color depends on where you fish and the clarity of the water. Jigs andCarolinarigs are also working in and around structure. Work the deep water docks and jigs andTexasrigged worms.
Come fish with Rickon LakeHartwelland learn his top secret approaches and strategies that will be used by the pros in next year’s Bass Master Classic. The Classic is coming to Hartwell in February 2015. Contact Jimbo on Lanier at 770 542 7764 to book a trip with Rick. The book BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL is available. We have opened this lake up to avid bass anglers with over 100 key bass fishing holes. ken@southernfishing.com for a sample. See our web site for Rods Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
March 15, 2014
CLARKS HILL IS FULL, UPPER 50 DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is fair and there is a late day shallow bite around rocky points mid lake. A Carolina Rig worm is working the points. Also, look for any rock on any rip rap that the sun has been shinning on, as this area of water will be warmer by a degree or two and should be holding a few fish. Use small crank baits like a ¼ ounce Rat T Trap in chrome/back or a number 5 Shad Rap in the silver color. Shad Raps in the # 5 size in shad and baby bass colors will work. Ask for a free sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE CLARKS HILL book. Ask for a sample ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKERUSSELLIS FULL, CLEAR & UPPER 50 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and it almost the full moon. This moon is driving fish shallow but they are not finding a lot of water yet. Warm water is in the backs of the creeks and coves when the sun comes out. Some of the larger bass are following this warm water and are moving. There are bass out on the subtle drop offs and ledges as well as on the main lake points. The rocky areas are holding plenty of spotted bass and they are biting small baits as expected. Try the Rapala X Raps in the shallow water and the DT6 and Minnow Raps out in the deeper water. Adjust the color of the baits with the clarity of the water. This will make a big difference during the pre spawn periods. Always watch for signs of bait fish while on the water. Ask Ken for a sample of the BASSFISHINGLAKERUSSELLbook @ ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKESEMINOLEIS FULL, STAINED & 62 DEGREES BY MATT BATY 229 726 0513
Bass fishing is good. The bass have moved on the beds now, and there are also a lot of nice fish cruising around bedding areas in the shallows. One good technique to use right now is to keep your trolling motor on about 70 percent and ride, and look for bedding bass to catch. While you are looking, there are several baits that you can fish around in the bedding areas that will catch nice fish. The first is a shallow running crank bait such as a Spro Fat John in clear chartreuse or a Stanford 1.5 Patriot in summer color. Use a heavy fluorocarbon when fishing these two baits to keep them running shallow. Try 20 pound test Sunline FC Sniper. The other technique to use in these areas is to swim a Big Bite Baits 7 Sugar Cane worm. This bait can be Texasrigged with a 1/4 ounce Fish Catchin Fool Tungsten and a FCF bobber stopper. It has a paddle tail action and when Texasrigged, you can swim it through grass and lily pads much like a swim bait. Once you find a bedding fish, then it is time to drop the Power Poles, which are great for shallow fishing, and begin trying to entice the fish to bite. The best bait on the market right now for sight fishing is a Big Bite Baits Warmouth. This bait is extremely awesome for bedding bass. There are several great colors to use, but we like the chartreuse bluegill color. It is a little tricky trying to rig this bait, but the Big Bite Baits website has an illustration of how to rig it on a 5/0 EWG Gamakatsu hook. Also, when bed fishing use a copolymer line with a little stretch such as 16 to 22 pound test. Sunline Machinegun Cast. There are also still a few pre spawn fish to catch on lipless crank baits. Use your Lowrance electronics to locate the edges of the spawning flats on the main lake and cast on top of the grass and rip your bait free. A good area to start is b/w the Firebreak and ShipIslandwhich is the little island at the end of Fish Pond Drain. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKE GEORGEIS DOWN 2.1 FEET, UPPER 50 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The bass are trying to get shallow with the coming full moon. The lake for the most part is heavily stained to muddy, except on the extreme southern portion where some clear water can be found around the dam. The fishing has been really tough and unpredictable for the past few weeks. For early fishing, use the jigging spoon on the deep schools of wintertime bass. Fish the shallow ledges with medium running Poe’s bright crank bait and Carolinarigs after mid day. Soon there be shallow fish that will relate to the hydrilla, and these fish can be caught on spinnerbaits, Rat L Traps and Texasrigged worms. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKEWEISSIS AT 2.5 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND STAINED 56 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and they are being caught shallow at 4 to 8 feet deep on the creek channel ledges, humps and points, on Spinner Baits, Alabama Rigs and Carolina rigged plastics some fish are being caught, shallow in the back of the coves, on Rat L Traps, shallow running crank baits and spinner baits.
Crappie fishing is great and they are being caught long line trolling in Little River and Little Spring Creek and a lot of fish are starting to be caught in the bays up river near River Side Camp Ground, 3 Mile Creek, Cowan Creek and Big Spring Creek are producing a lot of fish also. They are being caught trolling with 1/16 and 1/24 ounce Jiffy Jigs in colors JJ01, JJ13, JJ17, JJ20, JJ24, JJ25, JJ37 and Mark’s Special Blue. Hurley’s Cove and Little Nose Creek are starting to produce some crappie. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabamacontact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com.
March 15, 2014
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 62 DEGREES, MUDDY UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE STAINED, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 770 361 4210 (cell) or 478 451 0167 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COM MATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM.
Bass fishing is great. Most fish have made the transition to the shallows as the water temperature finally broke 60 degrees. It seems like more and more fish are moving up every day. Concentrate your efforts in or around protected spawning pockets for the next month or so. Many of the fish are staging on the primary and secondary points, but they will cruise back in the pockets at random times throughout the day looking for a good place to spawn. A spinnerbait is hard to beat right now for both numbers and quality. A chartreuse Buckeye Lures spinnerbait with double goldColoradoblades will get bites most days. Cover water with your trolling motor, throwing the spinnerbait at any piece of cover you see. These fish will be shallow on the sea walls, backsides of docks, blow downs, and grass beds. Once you locate a pocket with fish, slow down and fish it again with a soft plastic. ATexasrigged June bug Zoom lizard fished around dock walkways and sea walls will get many quality bites over the next few weeks. Give us a call to book your guide trip so you don’t miss out on the fun. Trips are booking fast.
March will be an incredible fishing month. Make sure to stop by our new boat showroom and see our 2013 and 2014 inventory of Nitro, Tracker, Sun Tracker, Tahoe, and Mako boats. We only have a few 2013 models left. Don’t miss out on some great deals. For more information, go to www.sinclairmarina.com or call 478 451 0167. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
LAKEOCONEEIS FULL, 53 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The lake is full, stained over most of the lake. Water temperature is 53 to 58 degrees. Start in the middle of the coves and main lake creeks. Fish boat docks, wood structure, and sea walls. Work your way to the back of the coves and creeks. Sugar creek has been the most productive over the past week. Use Shad Raps and small crank bait with rattles fished on sea walls and around docks. Dark Jigs with a rattle, brown, blue and black have been the best colors. Fish these around wood structure on the main river pockets above Sugar Creek. Spinner baits fished along any rock bank will also draw a strike. Remember to slow down your retrieve as the water is still cold below the surface. If we get a few days with warm temperatures, look for the fish to start to move into the back of the creeks and major coves off of the main lake. If it gets cold again, bass will move back to deeper water.
Striper report byMark Smithof Reel Time guide service. Call 404 803 0741
Striper fishing is good. The fish are starting to show up at the dam for the spring run. Live bait fished on down lines along with flat lines and plainer boards will pick up fish. If the water clears up the umbrella rig bite will also produce fish.
Crappie fishing is good. The fish are moving into the major creeks. Use a dark jig tipped with a minnow. Spider rigs have been the best producers over the past week. Use your Lowrance to located the depth and location of the schools and adjust your depth to put the jig on top of the fish. Over the next few weeks the largest fish will be moving into the coves and creeks to spawn so now it the time to fill a cooler with big slabs.
Make sure you stop by Sugar Creek Marina and pick up your spoons and all your tackle needs. You can also book your crappie and striper trips with Reel Time Guide Service at 404 803 0741 or reeltime@bellsouth.net. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
March 15, 2014
JACKSONLAKEIS FULL, STAINED & 54 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair. Most of the lake remains stained, but Tussahaw Creek is relatively clear. Fish crank baits and spinner baits slowly from 5 to 10 feet of water. The deeper range should be best, but don’t count out finding some shallow fish. Your time may be best spent on rocky main lake features. A few fish are moving back in the pockets but stick with the points. Use the Shad Rap or a chartreuse/white blade bait. Copper Coloradoblades are a good choice in the colored water, but gold will work but use a slow retrieve. Keep the bait at the bottom and bumping cover and rock will help. Early be sure to slowly work a jig and craw trailer in black and blue and green pumpkin. Soaring afternoon surface temperatures can be deceptive, so avoid the temptation to fish fast and shallow. Try it, but don’t waste time if it isn’t working. A light and slow Texasrigged finesse worm will get you a few more numbers, but the dink spots can drive you crazy. Watermelon seed and Mossy pumpkin are good colors. If you like a Carolinarig, keep it light with a 1/4 to 3/8 ounce and try a Trick worm or Lizard. You can luck up on some hybrid action while you are on the points and humps. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up ken@southernfishing.com
“SONAR WITH KEN STURDIVANT” at Bass Pro Shops “Outdoor World” in the Outdoor Skills Workshop. Lowrance Pro Staff Member Ken Sturdivant will go over the settings for the sonar @ 2pm the last Saturday of the month.
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”.
We have these books for sale: “BASS FISHING ON WEST POINT LAKE”, “BASSFISHINGLAKERUSSELL”, “BASSFISHINGWESTPOINTLAKE” 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.