“The Southern Fishing Report”
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
770 889 2654
Cumming Georgia 30040
May 30, 2014
LAKE LANIER IS .07 FEET UP FROM FULL POOL, THE MAINLAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED & 76 DEGREES
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764
The post spawn fish are starting to get more aggressive and the bite is improving each day. The main lake fish have been up shallower on the points and humps and are now starting to move out deeper. Look for 15 to 20 feet to be loaded right now, especially on the rock. There are also some fish getting in and around the brush in 20 to 25 feet, and they will eat. You can get them to come up for top water and swim baits at times, if not that, a fluke and a Fish Head Spin has been good. Last resort is the Shaky Head and jig. We have been on a very good early morning bite for a few weeks now. A Red Fin, a Bite Sized Herring Swimbait and a spinnerbait have been good. A Fish Head Spin has been good on the schooling fish you see. Get the bait into the fray when you see them schooling and you can almost guarantee a hook up. I have the following dates left open for the month: June 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 26, and 30. June is traditionally a great top water season and a great time to go spot tail minnow fishing.
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. The water is lightly stained in the back of the creeks and clear on the main lake both north and south. Between the stripers and the spotted bass there is plenty of action lake wide. There are fish being caught on the north end of the lake, at the Dam and everywhere in between. The primary pattern continues to be the creek mouth and main lake points. Spotted bass and stripers can be caught off the same point. You can also catch a catfish and a gar off the same point. We are not sure how much longer this bite will last but it sure is a hoot. Once the sun gets up in late morning the stripers are moving out into a little deeper water still off the points, but over a 30 to 50 foot bottom. A few fish are being caught with the Red Fin and Chug Bug but that bite will not last much longer. Weighted free lines on planner boards and out behind the boat is the primary technique but the down rod bite seems to be improving. The bait of choice continues to be herring. A few fish are being caught with the umbrella rigs and the summer time umbrella rig bite should “kick in” any day. Father’s day is June 15th. Remember the times your Dad took you fishing? Maybe it is time for you give your Dad a gift Certificate for a Striper Fun Fishing trip on LakeLanier for you and your Dad with Big Fish On Guide Service.
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059
Crappie fishing is good to excellent around docks with structure and on submerged brush piles from the middle to the backs of creeks. For the night fisherman, this is the time of the year to consider fishing under bridges, using Hydra glow lights. Six MileBridge, WahooCreekBridge and ClarksBridge are favorites. All these are in deep water, within sight of the boat ramps, and are holding fish. For those that like bluegill fishing, they are still on bed. The smaller fish are aggressive, though, and are getting to the bait before the larger fish that are still on bed. Crickets are the best bait for bluegill. More fishing tips will be shared and discussed at our monthly club meeting this Thursday night at 6:00 pm at Hammonds Fishing in the old building. Your first visit is free to check us out. Come and join us.
For additional information, see our website www.laniercrappieanglers.com Stay safe on the water and wear your lifejacket.
Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, www. laniercrappieanglers.com
We 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, Marty Kenney has 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 STRIPERSSchool. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
WESTPOINTLAKE IS FULL, STAINED & UPPER 70 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and the spots have been aggressive but they are only 8 to 12 inches. Use a ounce black Picasso shake up head with a 4″ motor oil finesse worm. Fish the rocky ledges in 10 to 25 feet of water and mostly targeting windy areas. Also use a wacky rigged Zoom trick worm. Ad color doesn’t seem any different Fish this rig around blow downs and other shallow bushes and grass. The jig bite has been slow but the better fish are after a black and blue ½ ounce football head called the Picasso Fantasy Jig. Use a Netbait Paca Chunk trailer in the same color to match the jig. Fish this jig in the deep pockets with grass in them. Most of my bites come from the grass in 7 to 12 feet of water.
We have GPS Bass fishing locations and a BASSFISHINGWESTPOINTLAKE book for sale. Ask ken for a sample. This book is $39.00. Sample just e mail ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
LAKEALLATOONA IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 70’S DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and the top water is pretty sporadic. There are lots of very small white bass busting shad on top but nothing spot wise at least on the south end. Try a small swim bait the first few hours and they are definitely keying in on smaller shad which is 3 inch sizes now. The Senko will work wacky rigged and use the jig, drop shot and the Flashminnow 95MR. Try fishing the drop shot on the main lake as the spots are starting to relate to deeper structure setting up for summer. Once the temps get 80 degrees that power bite will go die and then we are stuck with finesse tactics for summer fishing.
This Lake Allatoona Fishing s Report has been brought to you by Robert Eidson of First Bite Service, 770 827 6282 www.firstbite service.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia
eidson6260@att.netwww.firstbite service.com
Line side fishing is good. The fish are back on the main lake and are feeding well. The bite is good from one end of the lake to the other. Up north there are good numbers of line sides being caught at the mouth of Sweet Water also the flats at the Delta and in the S Turns. Mid lake is also producing good numbers from Kellogg Creek to Bartow Carver. And the south end is also fishing well from the dam all the way up Allatoona Creek to the LakeAcworth spillway. Free lining shad early is the ticket to getting your day started off right. After the sun comes up, look for schools of Hybrids on your Lowrance off of any main lake points and humps. We are catching most of our fish in less then 30 feet of water fishing right on the bottom. The key to loading the boat is fresh bait. Change your bait often and be sure to take plenty with you.
We have the book on BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA and we have 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 a Sammy 100 and Big swim baits around the schooling fish. N 34 10 294 W 84 43 092 Good spawning area around BartowCounty ramp with a Sammy 100 and big swim bait area.
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
May 30, 2014
LAKEHARTWELL IS FULL POOL. THE MAINLAKE IS CLEAR AND 76 DEGREES, THE BACKS OF CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND 78 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and lots of anglers have been out on the water flipping docks and fishing the points. There are two patterns used by a lot of anglers, but don’t limit yourself to just two. There is a good top water bite early in the morning and then again late in the evening. Chug Bugs and Skitter Props around the brush piles are still catching good bass. Some anglers are even using them on the sides of the docks, before throwing a jig or worm on them. Fish the steep rock walls up in the rivers. A 1/4 ounce Strike King Jig on ten or twelve pound test line is all you need. Stay with the brown and green color for best results.
Come fish with Rick on LakeHartwell and 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.
May 30, 2014
CLARKS HILL IS FULL, UPPER 70’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good and use the top water baits early along with those shallow to medium diving crank baits. Main lake points are still producing a lot of Bass along with the larger secondary points. Use the flukes and Skitter Pops early in the coves and cuts and fish the water column all the way to the bottom. Your electronics will be your best friend. Pick apart the wood you can see and that which is submerged with a jig and Carolina rig. Carolina rigs are being used out on the main lake points and the six inch Zoom lizard in a green color is best.
Ask for a free sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE CLARKS HILL book. Ask for a sample at Send a sample request to ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
LAKERUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & UPPER 70’S DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and the water temperatures are warming up fast. Early morning anglers are getting aggressive with the bass by using everything from top water baits to wide wobble crank baits. Buzz baits and the Zara Spook Jr’s are really getting hammered early. These active baits are still catching lots of bass when fished near the deeper rocky areas and around the main lake points. Mid day use the Rapala DT6 in hot mustard along with a DT Flat Bait around rock and +wood cover. Make long casts and let these baits hit and bounce off the submerged structure. After the sun comes over the trees and it gets hot, slow you’re fishing down and pick apart the cover, especially the wood, with 3/8 ounce all brown Stanley Jigs and Zoom U tails in natural blue on both a Texas rig and a Carolina rig.
For a sample of the BASSFISHINGLAKERUSSELL book e mail ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
LAKESEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED & UPPER 70 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and there is a great early top water bite. Use buzz baits and Pop R’s around hydrilla are producing lots of quality fish. When you get in the right area, the fishing can be fast and furious. When the sun gets up, get ready to slow down and head to the ledges and grass lines in the mouth of Spring Creek. Use a Carolina rig with a zoom watermelon seed lizard or a Zoom Ol’ Monster. Fish long points where you have deep water near by and main lake areas during the day. Fishing a Carolina rigged worm in the watermelon seed or watermelon candy colors with a 24 inch leader will be a good bait to use when the water is moving. A big crank bait fished on these points will also bring you a few bites. There are still several fish being caught on a spinnerbait and crank bait in the main lake area.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, UPPER 70’S DEGREES
Bass fishing is good and the fish seem are slowly moving to the ledges. The quality fish are not biting well but numbers are good. There are lots of 12 to 13 inch fish to finally find some decent fish. The top water bit around hydrilla is still strong as well. Start with top water including, buzz baits and Pop R’s around hydrilla. Once the sun gets up go to the ledges in the 6 to 12 foot range with crank baits and Carolina rigs. Up river get the jigs and hit the outside river bends with any wood in the water. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
May 30, 2014
WEISSLAKE IS AT 0.06 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR TO LIGHT STAINED AND 76 78 DEGREE’S
Bass fishing is good and most of our bass have spawned and a lot of fish are showing up in the grass beds, spinner baits and chatter baits in the grass, is catching a lot of fish. Some fish are being caught on the ledges on crank baits, spinner baits and Carolina rigged plastics.
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Striper fishing is fair and they are being caught in the upper ChattoogaRiver and in the head waters of the CoosaRiver, above Mayo’s Lock and Dam.
Crappie fishing is air 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 Weiss Lake, Alabama contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com.
May 30, 2014
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 83 DEGREES, STAINED UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 770 361 4210 (cell) or 478 451 0167 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COMMATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM
Bass fishing is good. The bass can be found both shallow and deep right now on LakeSinclair. Top water baits have been really good for both numbers and quality early. Start the morning around grass or seawalls in the Oconee River Arm with a black Lunker Lure buzzbait or a bream colored Bass Hound Crank baits’ Main Event prop bait made by Kip Carter. Fish these baits for the first few hours for a good chance at a big one. When the sun comes out it is time to flip docks on the main river and around the mouths of pockets. Use your Lowrance side imaging units to find brush piles around docks as these docks will be best. Good baits to flip with are the Buckeye Lures Mop Jig and a Texas rigged Zoom baby brush hog. Black and blue is the go to color in the stained water up river, but green pumpkin will work best down lake in the clear water. Now that summer time weather has finally arrived, the offshore bite is starting to turn on. Look for humps and points on the main river that have current hitting them to be successful when fishing these deep structures. A Strike King 6XD in a sexy shad color, and a Carolina rigged Zoom trick worm will catch fish on these offshore hot spots. Give me a call to book a guide trip this summer.
Make sure to stop by our boat showroom and see the 2013 and 2014 inventory of Nitro, Tracker, Sun Tracker, Tahoe, and Mako boats. We only have a few 2013 models! Don’t miss out on some great deals! For more information, swing by the marina or give us a call at 478 451 0167.
May 30, 2014
LAKEOCONEE IS FULL, 74 TO 81 DEGREES
The lake is full, light stain on the north end clear over most of the lake. Water temperature is 77 83.
Bass fishing is good. A good way to start your day is with a buzz bait. Fish it along the sea walls and riprap. When the sun get up switch over to a small crank bait or a Rat L Trap. Fish them in the same areas as the buzz baits. White and chartreuse spinner baits fished on the bridge rip rap have also been very productive. Wood structure up the lake and in the rivers fished with a soft plastic have been producing larger fish. You will not get as many bites but the fish are usually bigger. The Buzz bait bite has started. Make sure you follow up a missed strike with a trick worm.
Striper report by Mark Smith of Reel Time guide service. Call 404 803 0741
Striper fishing is very good. The stripers/hybrids are on the move looking for food. Large schools of fish are showing up from the 44 bridge to the dam. Use your Lowrance to locate the large school on the mid and south end humps. When you find the fish drop a live bait down to the fish and hang on. All types of live bait have been working like shad, shiner and bream. 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.
Crappie fishing is good. Use a 1/16 jig head and long line it about 40 ft. from the boat. Over the past week the black green or black chartreuse curly tail grub have been the best producers. Look for fish from the middle out to the mouth of the coves and major creeks. 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.
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
May 30, 2014
JACKSONLAKE IS FULL, STAINED & UPPER 70’S
Bass fishing is fair. Top water will target shallow spots in the early morning. Fish the deeper main lake seawalls and their intersection with docks. Also fish the shallower portion of points very early and late in the day. Other than that, few quality fish are available in shallow water. While the post spawn fishing is characteristically slow, some quality fish are being caught in the 10 to 20 foot range. Looking for reaction strikes with the crank bait is a good strategy. Use shad raps to take fish from 5 to 8 foot of water. Throw a diving baits to search for deeper fish. Jigs work well for catching fish in all depth ranges. Most all your fishing is on the main lake. This weekend, it is worth noting that main lake fishing can be a difficult proposition in the weekends. Fish before and after the crowd shows up and fish the main lake points, wood, docks, and rocks.
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.