Southern Fishing Report
Georgia Fishing presents – May 17, 2012
The Southern Fishing Report”
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
www.havefunfishing.com
May 17, 2012
LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 6.1 FEET, THE CREEKS AND MAIN LAKE ARE CLEAR & 74 DEGREES.
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, Jimbo’s Lake Lanier Service. 770 542 7764
Spotted bass fishing is good. The lake came up a few inches since my last report due to the recent rains. The water temperature had dropped back into the lower 70′s but is now on the climb once again with the warmer temperatures. We have continued to run our post spawn pattern and have continued to see great results in terms of size and numbers. The larger female spots have pulled out to the brush and the ones that are active can be found relating to the summer brush in 15 to 25 feet of water both on the main lake and in major creek mouths on most days. We have been using walking top waters such as the Zara Spook or Gunfish and wake baits such as the Wake Up Wake Shad to catch these post spawn fish relating to the brush. A chug bug will also produce bites on some days as well. It is just hard to beat top water action, and on my trips we chase this bite all day during the month of May. My customers have a blast seeing the huge surface explosions when these fish hit. It is important to note that many of the baits we are using have been custom painted by Daniel Truit in an incredible blue back herring pattern. Daniel is a phenomenal lure painter and his attention to detail is awesome. He will paint most lures for a $10 charge. You can contact him at 678 300 4003. Tell him Jimbo sent you and he will take great care of you and turn your baits around quickly! A Fish Head Spin, a fluke, and a Wackem worm on a Davis Shaky head have also worked well when the fish refuse to come up. An erratic presentation can also help turn those lookers and followers into strikes and landed fish when you are working your top water and wake baits. Most of the largemouth are in the post spawn mode currently. Go to the back of any major creek or creek finger and throw a fluke, jerk bait, trick worm, top water bait or Davis Shaky Head worm dipped in JJ’s Magic around shallow to mid depth docks and you can catch both the post and pre spawn fish. 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! Service, 404 561 2564. www.bigfishon.com
Striper fishing is good. Last week we had to contend with rain, wind, cold fronts and an 8 degree drop in water temperature which seemed to scatter the fish and negatively affect the fishing. That’s the bad news. The good news is the weather is stabilizing and the fishing is improving. We are seeing surfacing fish on the south end of the lake and this weekend could be very good for top water. If you see surfacing fish resist the urge to go charging in with your big motor. Lower you trolling motor and approach the school with a couple of free line herring while casting Red Fins and buck tail jigs. My best luck has been with down rods at 20 to 25 feet over a 30 to 50 foot bottom off of deep water points. I also tried pitching Herring on a spinning rod and had a blast catching some Spotted Bass and a couple small stripers. Herring is the preferred bait. Put some ice in your bait tank water and do not let the temperature get above 70 degrees. If you have oxygen it is time to start using it. The umbrella rig bite has slowed this week but should pick up any day. Use a four arm three ounce rig loaded with nine one ounce jigs pulled at 80 to 100 feet back. There are fish lake wide in the mouth of the creeks and the river channel. The south end is probably your best bet for top water. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call Ken Sturdivant for details. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 4.61 FEET, STAINED & 80 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL
Bass fishing has been poor. This week there has been little change outside of higher water keeping some of the remaining fish up shallow. If water levels continue to rise look for more fish to move up on lay downs and isolated cover. You really have to fish in the moment right now. If water stays at its current level fish will continue to remain on offshore humps, rocky points, and road beds. For these offshore areas use shaky heads, Carolina rigs, and crank baits. For both shaky heads and Carolina rigs use a green pumpkin Z-Man floating worms. On your crank baits use a Strike King 6XD in a sexy shad pattern. You will not get as many bites, but will produce larger fish. Do pay close attention to generation schedules as this will position fish on top of these offshore locations to feed.
Hybrid and striper fishing is good. It is time to begin focusing on humps and road beds on the southern end of the lake in depths of twelve to twenty feet deep. Right now you will spend more time looking at your depth finder on these areas than fishing. Once you have located both fish and bait down line live shad to schools of feeding fish. Throughout the day keep a top water Rebel Pop-R in a shad pattern for schooling fish.
Crappie fishing has been fair. There are two patterns working. Locate deep brush piles in ten to twelve feet water near the mouths of pockets. Once you have located fish downlink live minnows on light line and split shot weights. These brush piles will hold multiple fish. With the milder temperatures the ability to catch fish on bridge columns under floating lights. Doing the same as brush piles down line live minnows under floating lights. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, CLEAR AND 71 DEGREES
Bass fishing is great. They are a hungry. The kind of hungry a momma wolf with six pups gets! They continue to move shallow early and late and back off during the day. Best bet again, top water and a Fluke thrown right to the bank on mid lake points and pockets. Mid day go a little deeper with Zoom Finesse worms on a jig head. If you find docks with brush try a small ¼ ounce mini jig. Use a matching Zoom Trailer and be sure it looks a lot like Green Pumpkin. Remember the many long points as well, back off a bit and throw a Carolina rigged lizard in green pumpkin. The water cooled a little last week but will rebound fast. Try slow rolling a spinner bait after dark across those long main lake points, but again throw right to shore as well. A lot of fish are hanging right on the bank.
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 very good. The summer bite is really starting to take off. All the major creeks are producing good numbers of fish right now. And the down line bite is the best bite going. These fish are scatter in the water column from any where from 12 to 50 feet deep right now. Trust your Lowrance and if you are marking fish at 50 feet drop to them right away. The south end of the lake is now keeping pace with the north end. And fish can be caught in almost any major creek right now. Trolling is working great with the Mack Farr umbrella rig. The key to trolling right now is not starting too early. The rig bite is better after the sun comes up and may be your best bet for getting bit midday. Top water action is good early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Use a Sammy 110 and catch the hybrids, stripers and schooling spots. The fishing is great right now. This is the best time of the year to introduce the kids to fishing. Give me a call at 770 827-6282 and book your family trip today. We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call Ken for details. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 8.4 FEET, STAINED & 75 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and bass are roaming the banks as well as on the ends of points. The bass are shallow around any wood and cast baits to shadows all day. Also use a gourd green Berkley tail worms down lake on Texas rig and use the brass and glass on the rig for more sound. Look in the mid lake half way back in the creeks and hit any dock or on points. Brush is a must and the fish are on the shady sides. Up the river the fishing is still fair and use a 1/2 ounce Stanley spinner bait and add a large trailer. Berkley worms in the u tail style in reds and gray’s can be worked slowly on wood and docks. Use a Texas rig and fish all lures slowly and let them fall. Zoom trick worms in pink or yellow are also good around the shadows in the creeks. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 9.6 FEET, 76 DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good. The grass mats are still below the surface and growing. Keep a Fluke ready in case they pop up. Bass are in some of the mats and fishing the edges with Shad Raps and plastic lizards are a favorite this week. The majority of the bass seem to be relating to water in the 5 to 8 foot range. Also this week try the shad Husky Jerk or the glass color. The way to fish this bait is to use it like a crank bait. A medium to fast retrieve will be necessary to get the best action from the bait. Wind blown points still seem to be a favorite place for anglers to fish on this lake. Watch the boats and keep moving until you bet bit. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2. FEET, CLEAR & 74 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The bass are moving shallow early and late and back off during the day. Use atop water Spook and a fluke and cast the bank on mid lake points and pockets. Mid day go a little deeper with Zoom Finesse worms on a jig head. Fish the blow downs with the Strike King ¼ ounce jig and use it with a matching Zoom trailer in green pumpkin. Remember the many long points as well back off a bit and throw a Carolina rigged lizard in green pumpkin. The water will warm back up fast this week and slow rolling a spinner bait on the point and reef markers will work. Try it across those long main lake points and throw right to the banks as well. Cast a small Zara Spook and a Pop R on any wood or on rip rap on the bridges. A lot of fish are hanging slap on the bank. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken
May 17, 2012
LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED AND 80 DEGREES BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is good. The top water bite is really starting to pick up. Start the early mornings off near shallow grass with a Stanford Turbo Shad in Buster Bream Color. After the top water bite is over, look for fish that are relating to main lake grass points and grass lines. The grass has yet to top out completely, but can be found using your electronics. A good place to start looking is from the firebreak down to Ship Island which is the little island at the end of Sealy’s flats. There are numerous points and dips in this grass lines and it is capable of holding tons of fish. After the Sun comes up, try some shallow cranking and Carolina rigging, which is the two best techniques for catching fish in these conditions. Use the crank bait for locating grass and fish, and then slow down with the Carolina rig once you have located a school of fish. A really good crank bait for this type of fishing is a Spro Little John in Nasty Shad. This bait has tremendous action and really has a good feel when using a good fluorocarbon line such as 16 pound test Sunline FC Sniper. You want to crank it down until you feel the grass, then slow it down and work it methodically through the grass. Sometimes you may have to rip it free from the grass to draw a reaction strike. The Carolina-Rig works better on points that have shad present. For the rig, use a 1 and 1/4 ounce bullet weight and a long leader. Use a 2/0 Gamakatsu off set shank hook and a 6″ Big Bite Baits Finesse Worm in Green Pumpkin. Fish it slow through the grass and make sure to use a good sensitive rod to feel for light bites.If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 1.55 FEET, 76 DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good. Bass will bite a Texas or Carolina rigged lizard or a dark jig in watermelon seed. Use the brass and glass weight for extra sound, and worm baits all the out off the points and ledges. Later in the day, use a large Culprit dark worm over the deeper grass lines a later in the day. Down lake try the larger worms and a Gilraker in tequila sunrise or all black on a Texas rig, but strikes will be soft. In the creeks run the shallow ledges with crank baits. When the fish are active crank baits are the ticket with Mann’s 20+ in grey ghost is best. During the heat of the day dragging Carolina rigged worms over the ledges is working. Try a long 3 to 4 foot leader. Watch for baitfish activity to find the concentrations of fish. The heat and falling water will only kick the ledge bite into high gear and there will be more fish are grouping up in the 10 to 12 foot range. When the fish are active, crank baits and larger spinner baits will work. 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. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken
May 17, 2012
LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 1.43 FEET, 76 DEGREES BY MARK COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE
Bass fishing is fair and they are very scattered, some are still shallow and some have started moving deep to a summer pattern, on main lake points and humps and creek and river channel ledges. Flipping a jig or tube to shallow brush and docks is catching the shallow fish. Carolina rigs, crank baits and slow rolling a 1/2 ounce spinner bait is catching the deeper fish. Look for more Bass to bunch up deeper over the next few weeks.
Crappie fishing is fair and the spawn is pretty well over and the crappie have moved back to deeper cover in 10 to 14 feet of water on brush and stumps in the flats and on creek and river channel ledges. Spider rigging with live minnows is producing some good fishing. A lot of crappie are still being caught shooting docks with jigs. Crappie are being caught under lights at night in 8 to 12 feet of water on the river channel in Little River and off of docks under lights at night.
Striper fishing is fair and they are starting to be caught at the Cave hole in Little River on live shad down lined and flat lined.
May 17, 2012
LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.99 FEET, 76 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.
Bass fishing is good. Some fish are still hitting top water lures and spinner baits during early morning and late afternoon. Pop R’s and similar baits have worked well along seawalls and rocks, mostly near the mouth of coves along the main river runs. Buzz baits, spinner baits, and weightless Trick worms are catching a few fish from grass and blow downs. A few shad are still spawning near the upper end of the Oconee River. Any of the fore mentioned baits can draw strikes, along with a ¼ ounce Rat L Trap, Fluke, and small crank baits. Boat houses and docks are still holding fish, especially those that have brush and located very near deep water. Soft plastics are usually the ticket for fishing docks. Carolina rigs retrieved along the sides and front of docks have produced well recently. Try a Zoom Trick worm on a 2 foot leader with a half ounce weight. June bug and green pumpkin are two good colors to try. Also try a Trick worm rigged Texas style with a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce weight. See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale. We teach On the Water Schools for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for Ken details. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken
May 17, 2012
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL & 74-80 DEGREES.
Bass fishing is fair. Most of the largemouth have moved to their deep summertime holes. The shad are starting to slow but you still can get a bite or two early in the day on the hard shoreline. Fishing a Carolina-rig worm in the watermelon seed or watermelon candy colors with a 24 inch leader near the docks that have deep water nearby will bring you a few bites. Then moved to long points and underwater islands fishing either a Carolina rig or a deep diver crank bait. Make sure you fish all sides of the points and underwater islands.
Hybrids have started to really school up around the lake. Have a popping cork ready and keep an eye out for the schooling fish. Troll with a three way swivel one leg having a deep diver crank bait and the other one having a buck tail jig for the best results. There are some good fish being caught around the rip-rap first thing in the day where you can find the shad.
Crappie fishing is fair. Most of the fish have moved back into deeper water. Look for brush in 10 to 15 foot of water and use live bait for your best results. Fishing at night around lights will bring you some good fish and you may also catch a few white bass, hybrids, or largemouth. 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. If you want the best DVD on Lowrance equipment see www.hightechfishing.com and use this code when you order 5 Ken. Come to Lake Lanier for a day and see the Lowrance HDS machines at work. Call for details 770 889 2654.
May 17, 2012
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 4.9 FEET, CLEAR & 72 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. Go up in the rivers and work the docks and channel ledges with everything that resembles a red or green crawfish. Start of the morning with the crank bait. Once again crawfish will need to be the color of choice here. The Fat Rap in the brown crawdad is a good choice. Use the smaller number five size for best results. While cranking the channel ledges move up to the larger sizes but the docks and shallow water will work better with the smaller ones. Perch is another great color and its just about time for these fish to be in the shallows getting ready to spawn. Later on in the day, move out and throw a Carolina rig six inch worm in the green pumpkin or pumpkin seed color. Added scent will help the bass to hold on to the bait a little longer so use it often. Use the JJ’s Magic chartreuse dye to color the tail.
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.