“The Southern Fishing Report”
By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
September 11, 2014
LAKE LANIER IS 2.2 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAINLAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & 83 DEGREES
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764
Bass fishing is good especially for late summer. We have been working top water and swim baits fast over brush in 20 to 30 feet of water. A Sworming Hornet Bite Sized Herring and a Sebile have been our best choices on the swim baits and a Gun Fish and a Zara Spook have been best on the top water side. The wind definitely helps this bite. There are some fish holding out deep so don’t hesitate to try them on the DS. That 40 to 45 area foot area at the timberline seems to be best. I have the following dates open for the remainder of September: 15, 17, 19, and 26.
This 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 very good. The mouth of the creeks from Orr Creek to the Dam has been the ticket. A good number of fish were also caught just off the river channel. Most of the fish are being caught with blue back herring on down rods at 50 to 80 feet down over a 90 to 130 foot bottom. We are rigging the down rods with a 2 ounce weight and a 7 foot 12 pound test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader with a Gamakatsu Octopus hook number 1 or 1/0 depending on the size of the herring. A buck tail jig with a 4 inch shad body with lead core line at 8 to 9 colors is improving and almost as effective as bait. White has been the preferred color for the shad bodies on both lead core and umbrella rigs. Umbrella rigs at 170 to 190 feet back will work but most of the fisherman are using lead core. Flowery Branch, Big Creek and Two mile Creek are good places to start. The lake temperature is in the low 80’s in the morning to mid 80’s in the afternoon. The water is lightly stained in the back of the creeks and clear on the main lake both North and South.
Anglers stop by the 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. 706 867 5102
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
September 11, 2014
WEST POINTLAKE IS DOWN 2.3 FEET, STAINED & LOW 80’S
Bass fishing is fair. The bass can be caught deep or shallow lake wide. Fish down lake in shallow in Rainbow Creek, Alligator Creek and the mouth of Maple Creek. Try the 1/8 ounce Shakey Head rigged with a Netbait finesse worm in a Key Lime Pie color. Fish around the deeper structure like road beds, blow down’s and around shoal markers. Also use the Lucky Craft Pointer 78 in the chartreuse shad. This bait was most productive are the small clumps of trees and grass that was isolated from everything else. Also as a tip, the harder that the wind blew the better the fish hit my jerk bait. The top water bite is still working and the spots are after any small top water lure.
Anglers have GPS Bass fishing locations and a BASSFISHINGWESTPOINTLAKE book is for sale. Ask ken for a sample. This book is $39.00. Sample just e mail ken@southernfishing.com
September 11, 2014
LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 80’S
This LakeAllatoona bass fishing report is from Mat Driver, www.proanglerradio.com 404 456 6094
Bass fishing has picked up quite a bit over the last two week. There is a strong top water bite around day break. There are some good schools of bass mixed with hybrid and white bass. The swim bait bight has gotten much better. The Spro 6inch BBZ, the stubby triple trout, and sliding gizzard are working best on long tapering point and short main lake pockets. The drop shot bite is going strong. The new Big Bite jointed jerk minnow in smoked shad is putting plenty of bass in the boat this week. Fish are scattered but when you find them, they will eat.
This Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Report for Striper and Hybrid report fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 6282. www.firstbiteguideservice.comLake Allatoona, Georgia email: eidson6260@att.net
Line side fishing is fair. Down lining shad off of points, humps and flats 18 to 24 feet deep is still working. The better bite is coming from the dam north to the S turns. Shad are still a little tough to net for most. Striper Soup has plenty in stock. White bass fishing is awesome. Big schools of whites are coming up almost every morning and afternoon. The bigger schools are coming up near HarborTown but there are also some good schools coming up in Stamp Creek. Look also in the big bay just south of the S turns. Tiny flukes and White Roster Tails are working best.
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
September 11, 2014
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 3.3 FEET & LOW 80’S
Bass fishing is good. Anglers are wearing out the spotted bass on the spot stickers on the main lake points. Some good bass are now being caught on Shad Raps early before the sun comes over the tree tops. Use spinning tackle and eight pound test Sufix line on those Number five Shad Raps. A good bit of wind has been blowing across the lake and the shad are now starting to follow the breeze to the mouth of the large coves and points. As with most lakes, the jig and Carolina Rigs are still getting the majority of attention and this is because they are producing. Don’t over look the drop shot rig on the ledges and drop off’s.
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.
September 11, 2014
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 3.7 FEET, LOW 80’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good. Fish up the Savannah River in the mouths of the major and large creeks. Twelve pound test and a 3/8 ounce Lucky Craft Redemption spinner bait is working. On the Spot Sticker, use the ten pound Sufix Fluorocarbon line and use a slow but steady retrieve. From Cherokee South in the Little River, you will find the main lake wind blown points getting attention with medium diving crank baits, number 5 and number 7 Rapala Shad Raps and Rapala DT in the shad patterns. Carolina rigs are still a favorite and every angler will use it. Main lake humps, stump rows and the deeper rocky points with some grass near by, is producing some quality bass on the Carolina rigs.
The book, BASSFISHINGCLARKSHILLLAKE 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. Ask for a sample: ken@southernfishing.com
September 11, 2014
LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & LOW 80’S
Bass fishing is good. The bass are active as the water cools down. There is a good crank bait bite on wind blown points or on a wind blown bank. This will be the key while using your hard baits. In Beaverdam Creek on the left hand side as you head away from the dam, fish the deep water ledges on the left hand side. Jigs and U tail June bug worms Texas Rigged will work. Pick apart any and all forms of wood on brush that you see. Watch your Lowrance for all forms of cover that you can’t see with the naked eye and fish it as well. It wouldn’t be uncommon to get a strike in twelve feet of water or deeper. Continue to use a slow presentation. The water is still a little warm and the bass are beginning to feel the cooler waters especially mornings.
For a sample of the BASSFISHINGLAKERUSSELL book e mail ken@southernfishing.com
September 11, 2014
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN .6 FEET, CLEAR & MID TO UPPER 80’S
Bass fishing is fair and the bass are biting on secondary creek points and creek ledges. Use a Texas rigged lizard in pumpkinseed or water melon and add some Real Craw scent. Crank baits that are working are Shad Raps, Rat L Traps and Norman DD 22 lures in the brighter colors. Stay with smaller lures but in the river; go to the next larger size. All white buzz baits on the grassy points and a small Bang A Lure will work for some smaller fish. Throw a Bandit 200 or 300 in Sage Ghost or CJ Shad in these areas and on the banks. If you see any wood or cover, use a Davis Jig or a Slider Head with a Net Bait Paca Melon Worm. It is amazing how small the cover can be and still hold a fish. The river fish are active and a dark jig on shallow cover will work. Keep a pearl Zoom Super Fluke ready and use it on every stop.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
September 11, 2014
LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN .48 FEET, HIGH 80’S
Bass fishing is good. There are a mixture of different patterns that are producing fish right now. The shallow bite has been good especially for numbers of fish. The deep bite is still producing its share of numbers and the bigger fish. The key to the shallow bite is having deeper water close by. It does not have to be a big difference only a foot or two makes a big difference. Any grass edges or isolated clumps of grass or hydrilla close to this deeper water has been producing. When you catch one in an area work it over very thoroughly because there should be a school in that general area. Try fishing the grass with a Big Bite Baits white 6″ finesse worm or 4″ Big Bite Baits Super Shad in Brim. The deep bite has been getting better every day with the best time to fish being whenever the Corps is pulling water. Try fishing any bend or point that you find along the river or creek ledges. The best bite has been on the shallower inside bend of the ledges with a hard bottom. Try cranking these places with a DD 22 or a Mann’s 20+ in gray ghost or citrus. When the bite slows drag a Carolina rig through these same areas with a 10″ Big Bite Baits Kriet tail worm in Tilapia or Red Bug. If the fish seem to be really inactive and are not biting the Carolina rig, try stroking a Texas rig in the same colors or a Picasso football jig in green pumpkin off the ledge to get a reaction bite.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
September 11, 2014
WEISS LAKE IS AT 0.50 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR TO LIGHT STAINED AND 81 TO 83 DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair and most bass are still deep on a summer pattern. Some fish have started moving shallow, in the bays and coves following the shad. Pig and jigs, crank baits, spinner baits and Carolina rigged plastics are all producing some good bass.
Striper fishing is fair and they are being caught in the lower ChattoogaRiver and the Cave Hole , on live Shad down lined about 8 to 10 feet deep and flat lined live Shad and Bream.
Crappie fishing is good and they are on the CoosaRiver channel ledges and in the flats in 12 to 15 feet of water on stumps and brush piles. Spider rigging with live minnows on the creek and river channel ledges and deep brush in the flats is the way to catch these summer Crappie. Shooting docks is producing a few crappie also. Night fishing has turned on over the last few weeks, and they are being caught on live minnows. The fishing has improved over the last week with the rain fall. The Crappie have started turning on and it will get better, with the cooling trend coming in this week.
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama.
September 11, 2014
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 83 DEGREES, STAINED UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 478 451 0167 ext 1215 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COMMATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM
Bass fishing is good. Fall weather is quickly approaching meaning great fishing is right around the corner. The shad are starting to make their transition to the backs of the creeks and pockets. As the shad migrate to the backs of the creeks, the bass will setup on ambush points and flats looking for an easy meal. Crank baits, spinner baits, jigs, and soft plastics are the baits of choice for this fall transition. The crank baits and spinner baits will be best in the morning or evening, or on overcast days. The Spro Fat John and Little John 50 crank baits in shad imitating colors have been producing really well. A lipless crank bait, such as the Spro Aruku Shad Jr. or the Aruku Shad 65, will catch a ton of fish by fan casting shallow flats and points in the creeks. As the sun gets higher throughout the day, a Buckeye Mop Jig and a Spot Remover stand up shaky head is hard to beat fished around docks and brush piles in 5 to 8 feet of water. The larger creeks such as Cedar Creek, Crooked Creek and Potato Creek will all hold good populations of fish throughout the fall months. Fall fishing is a great time to catch a ton of fish and big fish too!
September and October guide trips are booking up fast, so 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.
September 11, 2014
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, MID 80’S DEGREES
Bass fishing is fair. The lake is full stained up the rivers clearing on the south end. Water temperature is 84to 88 degrees. At first light a white, or chartreuse buzz bait fished along sea walls and around the bridge rip rap can produce a good fish. Once the sun gets up there are a lot of smaller fish under deep water docks. You can use a shaky head or a Texas rig worm fished under these docks. The best docks are the ones with structure under them. (Tip: look for dock lights) The bigger fish are coming from up both the rivers. Fish soft plastics very tight to any and all cover. A jig with a dark color green or brown craw trailer. Also if Georgia Power is moving water move to the bridge rip rap and us a crank bait fished on the down river side of the bridge.
Line side fishing report by Mark Smith of Reel Time guide service. reeltime@bellsouth.net phone: 404 803 0741
Striper fishing is fair. There is still a good top water bite on the south end points when Georgia power is pumping water into the lake at first light. The best bet for bigger fish is to pull an umbrella rig over the mid lake humps, when Georgia Power is pulling water. Look for the fish on your Lowrance located 15 to 20 feet deep. Pull your rig 100 feet behind the boat at 3mph.
Crappie fishing is good. Use your Lowrance to locate the big schools of fish in the timber from 10 to 20 feet deep. These fish are tight to the cover so you will need to be right on top of the school and drop a minnow down to the fish.
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
September 11, 2014
JACKSON LAKE IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 80’S
Bass fishing is fair. It is time to scrap summer patterns, but shallow fishing can be productive, throughout the day, if cloud cover exists. There is also evidence early bait migration into the pocket. The shallow lipless crank bait bite may not hold up under more heated summer conditions, but it remains viable early, late, and under cloud cover. Shad Raps can perform well as searching tools in relatively shallow water as well. They will take fish on the bottom when burned out to about 8 or 10 foot. We have had a brief preview of the fall pattern. Should low pressure, clouds, and wind find us again, keep an open mind and look off the main lake. For the moment, however, we are back on the main lake for the most part. Top water baits can take shallow fish in the early morning, but lipless baits have out preformed in recent weeks. Look on rip rap and seawalls. Also look for fish feeding on open water shad during the early morning, late evening, and possibly overcast conditions. If Pop R’s or buzz baits don’t work for you pretty quick, try your #5 and #7 Shad Raps and chrome lipless crank baits on the walls and riprap. These baits will allow you to cover water, but throw a shaky head worm or jig at specific shallow structure that may be holding fish in the area. Fish shallow on rocky points early, late, and in overcast conditions.
Anglers 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.
If you would like to have a free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com and ask for the Sonar Setup Quick List.