“The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
January 30, 2015
LAKE LANIER IS 1.1 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE STAINED & MID 40’S
REMINDER: I will be hosting a 3 and 1/2 hour training classes on the morning of January 31st, 2015 at the Dekalb Office Conference Center in Alpharetta, GA. This will be an intensive, Lanier focused class addressing these areas: In depth review of Lowrance Electronics with Lowrance Expert, the one, the only, Ken Sturdivant. Also, Ken will review specifics in the area of reading and understanding electronics, and I will be addressing fishing the winter to spring transition, tournament preparation, as well as establishing seasonal patterns. We only have just a very few spots remaining for this Seminar. Don’t miss out! The price for this one Seminar will be $85. Call or email me NOW to register: jim@laniermapped.com, 770 542 7764.
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764
Bass fishing is good. There have still been fish shallow as well as in mid depth and deep ranges. The ditches with standing timber in 45 feet or more should be your first check. Check for bait in these likely areas. If there is no bait, move to the next ditch. Start shallower in 15 feet or less in pockets or the back of productive creek ditches with a Spro McStick or a 1/4 ounce SuperSpin. A spoon, a Chattahoochee Jig, a Shaky Head worm and a drop shot are all good potentials out deep. Focus on timber edges and work your baits SLOWLY! As the water continues to get colder, the slower your presentation should be. This is a great time to learn how to fish the deep timber on Lanier. How and where to find the most productive timber, how to fish it, and with what lures. Here is what I have open next week: Feb 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7
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. The lake temperature is high to mid 40’s and the water is lightly stained on the main lake and the backs of the creeks. The lake is one foot below full pool. However, we have spent more time this week watching the wind blow than fishing. When the weather keeps you off the water, take the opportunity to maintain your equipment including lubricating your reels and changing the line. Clearly the most critical item is your line and knots. The main line on your bait rods should be changed a minimum of once a year. The leaders should be checked for nicks every time you catch a fish and changed every time you go fishing. Always use quality line. This may sound like an overkill but with all the money we spend fishing, quality line is well worth a few extra dollars. We use Seagar fluorocarbon 20 pound test for our main line and 12 or 15 pound test for the leaders. The typical winter time technique of pulling baits on planner boards and free lines mid way to all the way back in the creeks is working and remains the primary method. There are also some smaller fish on points and humps in the mouths of the creeks and can be caught with umbrella rigs pulled 80 to 90 feet back. There are fish in every creek from Shoal Creek to Little River. Flat Creek and Balus Creek are always good places to start in the winter. As always fish the creeks with high concentrations of bait fish.
We have posted an article explaining the effects of barometric pressure on our web site. The following is the link to the article. http://www.bigfishonguide.com/2011/07/using barometric pressure and the thermocline for striper fishing.
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
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
January 30, 2015
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 6.9 FEET, STAINED & HIGH 40’S
Bass fishing is slow but there are some fish there on the old road beds mid lake. Spoons are the ticket and if you want to get rid of some of the old Little Georges, cast them on the road beds and then rip them off the bottom. The fish are bunched up together in 25 to 30 feet of water, and you can catch a mix bag of fish vertical jigging on the bottom. Find the fish on your depth finder and then vertical jig using a 1/2 to 3/4 ounce spoon of your choice.
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
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 13.3 FEET, CLEAR & LOW 50’S DEGREES
This Lake Allatoona bass fishing guides report is from Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing is great. Expect things to slow a little toward the end of the month as temps begin to get into the lower 40’s. This time of year is when we see a shad kill, if it does occur. As of right now, fishing is great with the Float n Fly bite in full swing. Fish the Red Rooster Carters Special on 9 to 12 feet of 6 pound test Sunline Sniper leader on wind blown bluff walls in the mid lake areas. The Alabama rig bite is good. The Yumbrella with blades and the Dayton Boat Dock rig are really good ways to find good schools of big spots. The key to the Alabama rig is slow rolling it. Tip this rig with 1/8 ounce round ball jig heads and Big Bite Baits 3.5 inch white Cane Thumpers. The drop shot and jigging spoon bites are great, if you can keep the white bass and hybrids off the line. While in search for productive water with the Lowrance and as long as clarity stays good, you can pick a few fish up on the Spro McStick and McRip. This bite is fair. Don’t fish alone this time of year. Hypothermia is a killer.
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@gmail.comatt.
Line side fishing is good. The lake is still muddy on the north end and stain on the south end. The key to catching fish right now is finding clear water. Clear to slightly stain water is the key right now, a good starting point is the dam. Small Trout and Gizzard shad fished on free lines and planer boards early is working. The better bite is after the sun comes up. Down lining small trout and gizzard shad 40 to 60 near or in clear water will catch you fish. We are also catching some nice fish on umbrella rigs right now. Again clear to slightly stain water is the key. Thirty fish days just isn’t going to happen right now. But it is possible to catch double digits of stripers and hybrids right now on any given day.
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 Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 4.2 FEET & HIGH 40’S
Bass fishing is slow. Bass are hanging out on the ledges out on the main lake. Carolina rigs seem to be among many of the weapons used to catch a limit. Mid lake some anglers are using small lead head jigs and a Zoom fluke in pearl on an Alabama rig. The more active bass are still responding afternoons to the Rapala DT10 and #7 Shad Raps while working the deeper water. The shad color still seems to be the favorite lure. Anglers are finding a few shallow water bass along the bank especially between two points. The back side of sharp points is also holding good bass. Use the Husky Jerks and crank baits along with drop shot rigs. On the warmer days, expect the fish to be a little more active and move up to feed more often.
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.
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com.
Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 3.4 FEET, HIGH 40’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is slow as more weather hit the area. Cold fronts will move through this weekend. This might move the shallow water bass back to deeper water or tight to cover. Dead sticking a fluke might not be as effective as last week. Start off by checking out the ledges and drop offs with the Lowrance Down Scan technology. Slowly work your way back up to the shallow water. Continue using those Ito Vision 110 and Rapala DT14 on the ledges and switch to the Rapala DT10 and Number 5 and 7 RS Shad Raps later on in the day. Use these wind blown points and banks to your advantage. Carry the Carolina rig with the Zoom lizards to the lake too.
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
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & LOW 50’S
Bass fishing is fair. Unstable weather has been moving through the area and this has somewhat confused the fish. The bass are still wanting to hold tight to cover. A variety of plastics and jigs are working good when using a slow presentation. The spotted bass are still scattered all over the lake. When the winds blow constant on the lake bass will bite crank baits on the points and rocky banks. Rapala DT6 and Rapala 10 and the #5 jointed Shad Raps are still working. Use a good medium action rod and ten pound test line. Continue to check out the Rip Rap on sunny days because the shad and the bass are there.
Sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL e mail ken@southernfishing.com
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com.
Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN .59 FEET, STAINED AND LOW 50’S BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is good. The water temperatures are down and the grass is dying. This has made the lipless crank bait bite and Chatterbait bite turn on. With the cold water, the bass are still relating to the deep grass edges. The middle grounds between the Firebreak and Stinky Island and the flats in front of Wingates are both good places. For the lipless crank bait opt for a heavier 3/4 ounce bait such as a Spro Aruku Shad 85 in mudbug red. For the ChatterBait use a 1/2 ounce green pumpkin with a 4 inch Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper in easy money color. Another pattern that seems to be working is using drop shots in Spring Creek. For the best setup, use a Lew’s spinning reel, a Duckett spinning rod, 7 pound Sunline fluorocarbon, a Gamakatsu drop shot hook and a 1/4 ounce drop shot weight. Nose hook a Big Bite Baits 6 inch Shaking Squirrel in earthworm, and then you’re in business. The best areas to drop shot are anywhere in Spring Creek in deep timber. You need really good electronics with DownvScan such as the Lowrance HDS touchscreen units. They make it much easier to locate fish and shad to increase your odds.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, LOW 50’S
Bass fishing is slow. It is winter time and the forecast is bleak. The spoon bite along the creek channels is best bet it just takes a bit of poking around with the Lowrance electronics to get bit. Look around the 20 foot mark for most of the activity. For shallow action, run up way up the river and flip the blow downs. Try drifting along the creek channels hopping a spoon. The shallow bite will be non existent and unless there is some warm sunny days. The fish seem to be 18 to 22 feet stacked up. Water temperatures will be cold as another hit from the cold front settling down near 50’s and with colder nights ahead we may see more into the upper 40’s. The water still has the murky tint to it.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, LOW 50’S
Bass fishing is poor. The lake is full, muddy from the 44 bridge north, heavy stain over most of the lake. The Richland creek arm of the lake has the best water color and has been producing better than the Oconee side. Small crank baits with rattles fished on sea walls and around docks. Spinner baits fished along any rock bank will also draw a strike. There is also a spoon bite on the south end of the lake where Richland Creek and the Oconee come together. Find the schools on your Lowrance and drop a spoon down to the school.
Striper/hybrid report by Mark Smith of Reel Time Guide Service. Phone 404 803 0741 or reeltime@bellsouth.net
Striper fishing is poor. Early in the mornings there have been some birds working on the south end of the lake. When you find the birds think small bait. A 1/4 ounce jig head with a small supper fluke, a small rooster tail will work. Keep a Capt. Mack spoon ready for when the fish go down. Use your Lowrance to locate the school and drop the spoon down to the school.
Crappie fishing is good to fair. The fish are moving into the coves and major creeks. The major creeks are stained so make sure you are using a dark jig and tip it with a minnow. Spider rigging is the best option. Start in the middle of the creeks and work to the back. The water is cold so think slow.
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
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com.
Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
WEISS LAKE IS AT 5′ 5″ BELOW FULL POOL AND Stained AND 45 47 DEGREE’S
From: Mark Collins Guide Service www.markcollinsguideservice.com 256 779 3387
Bass fishing is fair and they are on the old creek and river channel ledges and deeper humps, Carolina rigged plastics, Texas rigged Senko worms and Jigs are producing well right now. The Alabama Rig is catching fish also. The ledges in Little River and the Chattooga River are producing a lot of good bass.
Striper fishing is poor and most of the fish have left the main lake making their spring run up the Coosa River, We have not had any reports on the upper Coosa River
Crappie fishing is great and they are being caught in Cowan Creek, Little River and the Chattooga River and Little Spring Creek. Long line trolling with Jiffy Jigs in 1/16 ounce in colors JJ08, JJ13, JJ24, JJ41 and Marks, Ice Blue color is the way to catch these winter fish, They can also be caught on a float and fly technique, live minnows under a slip float is also producing some fish.
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama, contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@southernfishing.com
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
January 30, 2015
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 49 DEGREES, STAINED ACROSS MUCH OF THE LAKE, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 478 451 0167 ext 1215 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COMMATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM
Bass fishing is good. We’re not seeing as many bites, but the quality fish have been biting. Crank baits, spinner baits, and jigs have been the baits of choice the last few weeks. A Spro Aruku Shad lipless crank bait and a Spro Little John MD50 crank bait have been working well the last couple of weeks. On cooler days the fish have been on steeper river banks and points that contain dark colored rock or clay. The sunny banks have been best as they hold a bit more heat. If we get a warming trend or some warm afternoons, look for the fish to pull up onto flats or in short pockets that are close to deep water. The key to catching fish on these crank baits is to fish them as slowly as you can and bump them off rocks or wood cover to get a reaction bite. A chartreuse and white 3/8ounce or 1/2ounce Buckeye Lures spinner bait with a large single gold Colorado blade or size 7 gold willow leaf blade has been catching some big fish when slow rolled around points and deep main river docks. A black and blue 1/4ounce Buckeye Mop jig has been catching some quality fish around brushy docks that are protected from a North wind. There are plenty of deep fish in 25 35ft of water on the lower end of the lake. These fish can be caught on a gold spoon or a Buckeye jiggin’ blade. Find the structure and baitfish with your Lowrance HDS units and drop the jigging blade vertically through the baitfish. The bass will be holding below the bait and many times you can watch the fish eat your bait if you pay attention to your fish finder. If the water clears up a drop shot with a finesse worm will work great to catch these deep fish as well.
I have a few guide trips available over the next couple of weeks. Give me a call to reserve 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.
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
JANUARY 30, 2015
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN .70 FEET, STAINED & HIGH 40’S
Bass fishing is fair. The fish are not on any firm pattern. Stay down the lake and fish in the creeks and coves around the dam. Flip and pitch black or blue Stanley jigs with a matching plastic Zoom pork style trailer to the docks and heavy bank cover. Use the darker red colors in all worms and lizards and shad crank baits are good casting them right on the banks. Early and late each day use a black Zoom trick worm on the wood and even rip rap on bridges. The bass bite better later in the day on the docks down lake in the clearer waters. Also bump crank baits on clay banks facing the sun. During the middle of the day the river bass are fair on a Zoom lizafsrd in greens and fish them right on the bank cover. The Zoom water melon seed lizard and a long 3 foot Carolina rig can draw a few strikes on points down lake.
The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com.
Call 770 887 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.
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.