“The Southern Fishing Report” By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
770 889 2654
Cumming Georgia 30040
www.southernfishing.com
June 20, 2014
LAKE LANIER IS AT FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED & MID 80’S DEGREES
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764
Bass fishing is fair. There is a good top water bite particularly in the mornings. A wake bait has been the best bait for us and the fish are really responding to it. Other baits are working well also and it just depends on the conditions at the time. Experiment with different baits to determine what the fish are in the mood for on the day you are out. For numbers and size use a 3/16 ounce Davis shaky head and worm combo as well as a fluke continue to work well. We are still targeting humps and reef poles in creeks and on the main lake also. Most of our bites have been coming from 15 feet of water or less. When you cannot get the fish to come up, go down to them with a Fish Head Spin or weighted fluke.
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 remains very good. The fish are moving to their summer pattern. You can put away your planner boards and free lines and rig your down rods with 6 to 8 foot leaders. We use 20 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon main line with a two ounce slip egg weight a bead and swivel with 15 pound test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader. Don’t forget to ice your herring and try to maintain a water temperature under 70 degrees. Lively bait is critical when fishing summer time down rods. Your Lowrance fish finding sonar and GPS electronics are critical tools for summer time fishing and in my opinion Structure Scan is a must for finding fish in the trees. We are focusing on deep water points but there are fish in bays over a 50 to 80 foot bottom from the Chestatee to the dam. There is also an umbrella rig bite with a 3 ounce, 4 arm jig with 9, one 1 ounce buck tail jigs with white worm trailers. Set these rigs 80 to 100 ft back and pull between 2.7 to 3.5 MPH. The lake is full, stained up the rivers clear over most of the lake. Water temperature is 83 to 87.
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059
Crappie fishing is good and the water temperatures are in the low eighties. For the avid crappie fishermen who don’t mind dodging the traffic on the lake the crappie fishing remains good to excellent. Target deeper docks with structure below the surface, especially if you can find a dock with a sizeable brush pile just outside it, which is an added bonus. The docks that are producing have twenty to thirty foot depths, and are closer to the main creek channels. With this condition, these fish have the best of both worlds, the cover of the brush pile, then the shade of the dock during the middle of the day. If you can find a dock with an active beaver, that is even better. Look for limbs and branches sticking out of a dock. Also target submerged brush piles in at least twenty to thirty feet of water. Fish the brush pile from all angles. This time of year, the fish are holding tight on the brush. Soft body and hair jigs are producing fish. Because the fish are deep, the sensitivity of the bite seems less, so watching your line is VERY important. If you see or sense any unusual movement, set the hook! For the night owls, bridge fishing is picking up. The sign of a good bridge is if you see dangling ropes from a bridge. That typically means it is being fished by regular night fishermen. You will need a fishing light, and it can easily take an hour or two for the light to draw the bait and the bait to draw the crappie. Stay safe on the water, wear your life jacket! Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club.
See our club’s website, www. laniercrappieanglers.com
Anglers have a new Bait Shop on Buford Dam Road at the Buford Dam Quick Stop at 2595 Buford Dam Road. Open daily from 6 to 6 they have Herring and other baits like shiners ready to go to the lake. Please call him at 706 867 5102 and say hello.
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
June 20, 2014
WEST POINT LAKE IS FULL, STAINED & MID 80’S
Bass fishing is fair and the fish are biting on deep points with structure and bait nearby. This week a 10″ Yum Ribbon Tail Worm in the grape color has been working great. A Carolina rig has been the best way to fish the big Yum worms. Use the Norman DD22 and Bandit 400 in the shad patterns. Mid lake and down lake is where most of the fish are biting around the 15 to 22 foot depth range. The top water bite is good in the early mornings and late evenings. 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
June 20, 2014
LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 80’S
This bass fishing report is by Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com 404 456 6094
Bass fishing is slow and not a lot of size. We believe the bass are not fully settled to a full summertime pattern. Some fish can be found in mid depth brush but no large numbers to be found. Fish can be found on the ends of points new the river channel. The medium to deep crank bait like the Spro big papa, the Little John DD and Little John tiny DD are good search bait. The 3/8 or 3/16 ounce green pumpkin jig and jig head are a pretty solid plan to put fish in the boat right now. For some reason the drop shot has not been then productive.
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 Try these two N 34 10 846 W 84 43 128 Good spawning pockets in McCaskey Creek. Use Sammy 100 and Big swim baits around the schooling fish. N 34 10 294 W 84 43 092 Good spawning area around Bartow County ramp with a Sammy 100 and big swim bait area.
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 is great and the top water bite is off the charts. There are monster schools of hybrids and white bass busting top water all over the lake. At times you can see 5 to 6 different schools busting top water at the same time. These fish are feeding on very small shad. Our best bite this week has been on white Rooster Tails, Zoom Jr. flukes and Zara Spook Jr’s. Mid day you can catch these fish pulling umbrella rigs and fishing live bait on down lines off of any main lake points and humps from Iron Hill to Kellogg Creek.
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
June 20, 2014
LAKE HARTWELL IS AT FULL POOL & MID 80’S
Bass fishing has slowed down some due to the increasing heat and heavy boat traffic. This is normal for June, July and August. Getting out on the water really early or night fishing will increase your odds on quality bass this week. There is still a good number of fish being caught on top water baits and crank baits on the points and around some boat docks. Up in the rivers you can catch some solid bass along the steep rock bluff, especially those near the bridges. The Rapala DT10 will work well here along with small jigs. Try using a 1/4 ounce jig with a Zoom green pumpkin Fat Albert grub trailer. You can trim the trailer some if necessary. For those points and docks, use a Skitter Pop or Chug Bug and a twenty inch Carolina rigged finesse worm.
Anglers, 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.
June 20, 2014
CLARKS HILL IS FULL, MID 80’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is fair. You can still catch some good Bass out on the deeper side of the main lake humps. Several methods are being used including drop shot rigs, Carolina rigs, jigs and deep diving crank baits. Main lake points are also still producing but not all of them. Fishing areas where the water drops off quickly and the areas that are holding the bigger rocks will work best. A fair top water bite has been present along with medium to deep diving crank baits. The key to fishing is to slow down your presentation and fish an area well. Use the Chug bugs, Rapala DT10 and DT14, finesse worms and Super flukes. The book, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL LAKE is on sale. Get 52 weeks of bass fishing reports and over 40 bass fishing locations for this popular lake. Ask for a free sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE CLARKS HILL book. Ask for a sample: ken@southernfishing.com
June 20, 2014
LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & MID 80’S
Bass fishing has slowed down. Find and fish biggest cluster of rocks in the shade and fish with a 1/4 ounce jig while using no more than 10 pound Suffix Line. Also, use a Rapala DT6 or DT10 along these same areas and be sure to bounce the baits off of the rocks. After the sun comes up, head to the bridge pylons. On a spinning rod, use a 1/4 ounce Strobe Tear Drop Spoon by Blue Fox on 8 to 10 pound test Suffix line. Use a Robo worm in morning dawn and fish this vertical jig on all of the pylons under the bridges starting at one side, then move to the other. Most strikes will come on the fall of the bait and watching your line is a must. These hot summer patterns will work, at least one of them, until the water cools back down. Using the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology while fishing the bridge pylons. For a sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL book e mail ken@southernfishing.com
June 20, 2014
LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED & MID 80’S
Bass fishing is good. There is a pretty good top water bite going on early in the morning. Fish any topped-out grass beds that are visible on the main lake. Throw a Big Bite Baits 3.5″ Top Toad in June bug in chartreuse swirl. Swim the frog over the grass mats and in the holes. If you miss a strike, have a back up rod with a Big Bite Baits 6″ Jerk Minnow in shad color. This is a good early morning bass bait. Once the sun gets up, then head to deeper grass lines on the main lake or Spring Creek. Fish Texas rigged Big Bite Baits 6″ Kriet Tail Worms in Tilapia color. Use a ¼ or 5/16 Tungsten Lead and fluorocarbon line. This patterns works for both quality and quantity. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
June 20, 2014
LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, HIGH 80’S
Bass fishing is fair. The best shallow bite has been early but it does last all day. After the sun gets up, the best bite is on the first break on the ledges. The shallow fish are biting a Big Bite Baits top toad in white or green pumpkin pearl around lily pad fields that are close to deep water. After the sun comes up flip a Big Bite Baits fighting frog in black blue or a SPRO finesse jig in black blue around isolated grass patches and in the middle of the thicker mats before heading to the river ledges. The ledge fish are bunched up right now in schools around any irregularities on the ledge. The ledge bite is better when the corps is moving water. Fish a #7 Fat Free Shad in Citrus Shad or Foxy on 10 pound fluorocarbon on the inside bend of the ledges when they start pulling water. When the water is not, moving fish a Big Bite Baits Kriet Tail worm or a Picasso football jig in black blue on these ledges with 17 pound test Gamma Copolymer fishing line. Try ripping the worm and jig off the ledge to create a reaction strike when the water is not moving. Fish on the south end are in the brush in the 10 to 15 foot range. These fish are biting the same baits as well as a Ledgebuster spinnerbait ripped through the brush piles around Pataulla and Thomas Mill Creeks. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
WEISS LAKE IS AT 0.14 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR TO LIGHT STAINED & 85 to 87 DEGREE’S
Bass fishing is good and most bass are starting to move to deeper water on the ledges, old road beds, points and humps. Crank Baits, Spinner Baits and Carolina rigged plastics are catching fish.
Striper fishing is good and they are being caught in the lower Chattooga River, the Cave Hole and Little Spring Creek, on live shad down lined about 8 to 10 feet deep and flat lined live Shad.
Crappie fishing is fair and they are thru spawning and most have moved back to deeper water. Spider rigging with live minnows on the creek and river channel ledges and deep brush in the flats is the way to catch these post spawn Crappie. Shooting docks is producing a few Crappie also.
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Lake Weiss Alabama contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com.
June 20, 2014
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 86 DEGREES, STAINED UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 770 361 4210 (cell) or 478 451 0167 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COM MATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM
Bass fishing has been good this week on Lake Sinclair. Multiple patterns and baits are working right now both shallow and deep. Top water baits and square billed crank baits continue to be the best choice when fishing shallow. Look for mayflies around the main river banks and overhangs for a good top water bite. A Bass Hound prop bait and a black Buckeye Lures buzzbait fished around these areas will produce some big bites. Another wave of bream started bedding in the pockets this past week on the full moon. A top water prop bait, square bill crank bait, and a Buckeye Lures mop jig are the baits of choice around these bream beds. A Spro Fat John square bill has been a good crank bait around the bream beds recently. There are plenty of fish biting out deep as well. Off shore humps and points in 15 to 18 feet of water will be productive when Georgia Power is moving water. Look for hard bottom or stumps on these structures to find the best spots holding fish. A Strike King 6xd crank bait or a Carolina rigged Zoom trick worm are good baits to fish on these deep summertime haunts. Many fish can be caught on the deeper docks that have brush present. Fish a Buckeye Lures spot remover with a green pumpkin Zoom trick worm to get the most bites. Give me a call to book your guide trips for this summer. Available dates are booking up fast.
Make sure to stop by our boat showroom and see the 2014 inventory of Nitro, Tracker, Sun Tracker, Tahoe, Regency and Mako boats. For more information, go to www.sinclairmarina.com or call 478 451 0167
June 20, 2014
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 81 TO 85 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. There is a very good buzz bait bite for the first hour of the day. Fish it along the sea walls and riprap. You can still catch a lot of fish on sea walls and under docks with a small crank bait. Or with a shaky head worm fished under the docks. Some of the fish are moving to the deep water humps and points. Use a deep diving crank bait and fish it on the drop offs and points. This bite will get better as we get better as we get deeper into summer.
Striper report by Mark Smith of Reel Time guide service, call 404 803 0741 reeltime@bellsouth.net
Crappie fishing is very good. A lot of fish are starting to show up on the deeper brush piles and trees. Use your Lowrance structure scan to locate the fish in the tree tops and drop a live minnow to them.
Striper fishing is good. The stripers/hybrids are on the move looking for food. Large schools of fish are showing up from the pipe line to the dam. Use your Lowrance to locate the large school on the mid and south end humps. The umbrella rig has been the best producer over the past week. Fish it over the main lake humps and points when you see fish on your Lowrance.
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 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
June 20, 2014
JACKSON LAKE IS FULL, CLEAR & MID 80’S
Bass fishing is slow. Fish early and late for best results and avoid the weekend boat traffic if at all possible. Surface temps have finally spiked up and put most fish firmly in a deep summer pattern. Target off shore structure like points, bluffs, and humps. Wood cover in 12 to 25′ should be targeted when you put yourself in its vicinity. Downsize baits when it is necessary, throwing up to a 7/16 ounce Net Boy Finesse Jigs and small plastics like Zoom Finesse and U Tail worms. Use Texas rigs or shaky heads, but T rigs work much better when targeting brush and wood. Crank the points and other off shore structure with deep runners like the DD22 before following up with the finesse baits. During the early and late day window, you can look much more shallow on the rocky points with something like a Shad Rap followed by lighter finesse baits. You can also go for top water bites in the early mornings. Throw Pop R’s, Spooks or Sammie’s, and buzz baits on open water schoolers and deep sea walls. Late in the day we are having some mammoth waves of Mayfly hatches coming off and you can throw about anything from jigs to Pop R’s to bass in those areas. When fishing the Mayfly hatch, look for trees hanging over the lake along with ducks and other birds taking advantage of easy Mayfly meals. The main lake lay downs can hold good fish and they often fish best early with a swimming jig presentation. Deep stationary docks can be a good form of wood cover when skies are clear and the sun is high.
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.