“The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
Cumming, Georgia 30040
770 889 2654
May 1, 2015
LAKE LANIER IS FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE STAINED & LOW 70’S
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764
Spotted bass fishing is very good. Most of the largemouth have finished bedding, but there are still plenty of spots on bed now and more to come. A 1/8 ounce Davis Shaky head with a 4 inch worm fished on a GLoomis NRX 822 Shaky Head Rod with Sea Guar 8 pound test fluorocarbon is a great way to catch these fish. Work the Shaky Head slowly and look for the bites to be light, which makes a rod like the 822 so important. A fluke is great tool to locate these fish. A spot on the bed will almost always rise up to at least look at a fluke if not eat it. Work the fluke slowly and give the bait plenty of time to fall on a slack line. Watch your fluke and your line for indications of a bite. If they don’t eat the fluke and only swing at it, follow with the worm for a sure bite. A Senko is a good bet on these fish as well. Look for spot beds on hard clay banks and points with sandy areas being strong as well. Look for the pre spawn females to be on steeper rocky points near these spawning areas. The same baits will work, but others will catch the pre spawners as well. A jerk bait, a spinnerbait and a swim bait have all been good when the wind is up on the rocky points and shallow humps. Here is what I have left open for May 7, 12, 20, 21, 26(PM), 27, 28, 29, 30(AM). Give me a call and let’s go get ’em!
This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Guide Service, 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com
Striper fishing is good. The open water bite we discussed last week has slowed. However, the shallow water bite in the creeks on points, flats and reef markers is getting stronger. Free lines weighted with a couple of split shots and set 50 to 70 feet behind the boat with Herring is your best bet. Also set out a couple of down rods while you are pulling free lines. We use 6.5 foot medium heavy rods with Diawa line counters spooled with Seaguar 20lb fluorocarbon main line tied with a swivel and a red bead to a 5 to 6 foot leader with 15 pound test fluorocarbon and a Gamakatsu Octopus #1 or 1/0 hook depending on the size of the Herring as a free line set up. We use the same set up for down rods by adding a two ounce slip sinker. The red bead is installed between the slip sinker and the swivel to protect the knot. On a free line the red bead is used to stop the planner board as it slides down the line and also protects the line and knot from damage. The Umbrella rig is working in these same areas and on brush piles on a 20 to 30 foot bottom. Set your rigs at 60 to 80 feet behind the boat and speed at 3.0 MPH. The fish on the brush piles have been running 2 to 5 pound range and it is not uncommon to catch multiple fish on the same rig. The top water bite is right around the corner and it is always a good idea to keep someone on the front deck casting a Red Fin, Chug Bug, Spook or a Captain Mack’s buck tail jig while you are pulling bait. Buy a few extra baits and change your baits often as the Spotted Bass will attack your Herring without you noticing and you will end up fishing with dead or injured bait. The creeks and river channel points and flats on the north end of the lake from Ada Creek to Browns Bridge is a good place to start. The water temperature is in the mid 60 degrees during the day and the water is stained on the main lake with heavy stain in the backs of the creeks.
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, member of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. For more information on the club, see our website, www. laniercrappieanglers.com
Crappie fishing is good. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s in the middle of the creeks, and low 70’s in the backs of the creeks. After approximately six weeks of the spawn, fishing seems to have slowed down to some degree. However, if you’re in the right place, fishing is good. The males are still on brush piles in two to six feet of water from the mid creek pockets all the way toward the backs of the creeks. The older the brush pile, the better your chances of finding fish on them. They are holding tight to the brush. Early in the morning and late in the day, you can cast to them either with a jig or a minnow under a weighted cork. You will notice that the color of the fish are black to purple and are mostly males. Their color darkens when they move into shallow water. We’ve been targeting the better quality fish on docks with structure, using the dock shooting technique. 1/24 ounce Jiffy Jigs, Sugar Bugs, or Mr. Crappie soft body jigs, all in various colors, are still working well. The fish are aggressive enough at this time of the year that the color does not matter much. Our favorite line is still the four pound test high visibility line. Always tie your jig directly to the line, with no weights or swivels. This will give your jig better action. Be safe on the water as the lake is getting more crowded! Wear your life jacket, it can save your life!
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, Member of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059 See our club’s website, www.laniercrappieanglers.com
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
May 1, 2015
WEST POINT LAKE IS FULL, STAINED, MID 70’S
Bass fishing is good and the fish are spawning. This has been a week for the soft plastics like a Zoom lizard on a light Carolina rig and the trick worms or creature baits. Work the isolated cover and depressions. These fish are most likely relating to small ditches waiting to pull up for the spawn. A light Carolina Rig can also be effective in these same areas. Fish from Highland Marina to Wehadkee Creek and work pockets and points all day. Also later in the day head up lake and fish north to the 109 bridge.
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
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 70’S DEGREES
This Allatoona Bass Fishing report is by Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing is very good. Our bass are done with the spawn and are in the recovery stage in the first week or so of May. May is a month of top water fun. Post spawn fish are chasing bait. Start off on main lake points with rock at daybreak throwing a Spro Dawg and a Zara Super Spook. Walk the dog with a fast retrieve, and make sure the fish loads the rod before you set the hook. The swim bait bite is also good. Use a 6 inch HPH Gliding Gizzard and a 22nd Century Stubby Bluegill. Covering water is key. The Caroling rig lizard bite is still a great way to load the boat in May as well. The hybrid are also schooling on top. Remember to watch for signs of the shad spawn after the next full moon. Bass and hybrid will be putting on the feed bag during this time.
This Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Report has been brought to you by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827 6282 www.firstbiteguideservice.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia email eidson6260@att.net www.firstbiteguideservice.com
Line sides fishing is good and will only get better as we enter into the month of May. The hybrids have started their spawn runs up both the Etowah and Little rivers. Most of the fish that are being caught are already spawned out. The river bite should stay decent into the middle of May. The main lake is also fishing well. The fish that are returning out of the rivers are starting to school up from the Little River Bridge up to the Delta and from the S turns to Kellogg’s Creek. There is also a decent bite on the south end from Iron Hill to the bay out in front of 3rd Army. The fish on the main lake are up in the water column and are very hard to mark on 2D sonar. If you have a Lowrance with side scan, you can locate these fish by running your side scan setting on 60 feet on both sides. This has been working great for me on my Lowrance. If you don’t have side scan, the best way to find these fish is to put out a spread of planer boards and free lines and pull the banks and open water until you get bit. Planer boards and free lining live shad on the main lake has been our best bite and are accounting for at least 95 percent of our catch on both Lake Allatoona and Carters Lake. Small to medium sized gizzard shad and threadfins have been the ticket. Trolling has been decent but should get really good once the water temperature hits 70 degrees, and the lake starts to clear. Overall the bite on Allatoona is very good for almost the entire lake.
Anglers, we have a book on BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA and we offer GPS 50 coordinates also. Ask for samples of the book and the coordinates from ken@southernfishing.com
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE HARTWELL IS FULL & LOW 70’S
Bass fishing is good. Bass are on the move into the shallows with the warm weather warming up the water at a steady pace. Throw a Lucky Craft Redemption white spinnerbait with silver and nickel blades and cast this bait close to wood and rock cover. Bump the cover and use a slow retrieve. Also use the jig and craw trailer. A green jig should work well for finding big fish and taking fish that didn’t jump on the blade bait. You can have a little fun with floating worms if you like. Fish a weightless trick worm around shallow brush piles and dock posts. These bites will likely be smaller fish, but the visible bait adds to the fun. Rig it whacky or no weight Texas, in white or green pumpkin. Several baits like the spinnerbait, Husky Jerk baits and jigs along with Shad Raps will catch bass this week. The spotted bass are on the move as well and will be a lot more aggressive this week. They will spawn in a little deeper water than the largemouth. Fish the coves and all the shallow water. There will a concentration in many areas where the water is warmest.
We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
CLARKS HILL IS FULL, LOW 70’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good and the fish will be on the beds in ten days. Anglers will be fishing bedding bass. Bass can still be caught on Super Flukes, X Raps and shallow running Shad Raps in and around grassy flats. The grass mats will be submerged, so look for the dark shadows along the bottom or drag a jig or Carolina Rig through an area to find the type and color of the grass. Small flats that run near a deep ditch or River channel are the best places to catch your limit this week. Be sure to try the Scrounger with a Super Fluke as the trailer. Trick worms can also work.
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
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 details. Call for details.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & LOW 70’S
Bass fishing is good. Go up the rivers and fish with the buzz baits and Mann’s Shallow Minus One bright crank baits. Keep a trick worm and a Super Fluke ready for the shallow fish on any wood and on the small points in the creek. Up the river, use a spinner bait and the Stanley 3/8 ounce all white spinnerbaits will work off the rivers in the pockets and around wood. Try the clear creeks with buzz baits and spinner baits as well as trick worms. Use the Scrounger and a small pearl Fluke trailer on any wood or rocks. When you are ready learn how to find the bass with the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, call us to set up a day on Lake Lanier. We will show you the fish.
Sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL e mail ken@southernfishing.com
We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED, MID 70’S BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is fair. There has been a pretty good shad spawn early in the morning around shallow grass and lily pads. The bite at this time can be fast and furious and short lived. You need to use fast moving baits, such as a spinnerbait, buzz bait or a frog. If fishing pads, use a Spro Bronze Eye 65 frog in white with 60 pound test Sunline FX2 braid. Each of these techniques needs to be fished with a good heavy action rod, such as a 7 foot 4 inch Duckett Terex and a high speed reel, such as Lew’s Tournament Lite in 7 5 gear ratio. When the shad spawn bite is over, it is hard to get these fish to bite, so move out on the edges of sandbars, and throw Carolina rigs and Texas rigs. A good bait to use in the muddy water is a 5 inch Big Bite Baits Fighting Frog in hematoma rigged on a 5/0 EWG Gamakatsu hook and a 3/8 ounce. Fish Catchin’ Fool tungsten. Use your Lowrance electronics to locate hard, sandy bottoms and edges to find good areas to fish. The area between the Firemen’s Cut and Sealy’s Islands is a good place to start.
We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE GEORGE IS 1.71 FEET OVER FULL, STAINED, MID 70’S
Bass fishing is good. The best fishing in the early and late evening hours seems to be the best bet. Spinnerbaits, buzz baits and floating worms all have been catching fish. Look around for those grass lines near deeper water as from the patterns this weekend that’s been a big plus in catching the better fish. June bug and red shad are local favorites when going deep. Work the drop offs and channel or creel ledges and any sharp drop off points during this time. Added scent is another good idea and garlic is preferred by most anglers. Long cast and slow retrieves will be the secret on the Carolina rig. Down the lake towards the dam, a darker color jig along with the Carolina rig will be all the big baits of choice all day. Fish every stump and lay down you can find either on your graph or on the bank. When you are ready learn how to find the bass with the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology, call us to set up a day on Lake Lanier. We will show you the fish.
We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
Send an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com and request a full sonar set up sheet.
May 1, 2015
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, HEAVY STAIN UP THE RIVERS, LIGHT STAIN ON MAIN, LAKE RICHLAND CREEK CLEAR, 69 TO 71 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The lake is full. The shad spawn is in full swing. At daylight the bass will be close to bank looking for the spawning bait. Use a spinner bait fished along sea walls and rip rap to target these fish. Work the middle of the coves and main lake creeks. Fish boat docks, wood structure, and sea walls. Work your way to the back of the coves and creeks. The lake has water that is muddy to clear. Find the best color bait for the water you are fishing in to help catch more fish. The shad spawn should last for the next week or two.
Striper report by Captain Mark Smith, Reel Time guide service. Call 404 803 0741
Striper fishing is good. Some fish are still at the dam, some have move to the humps up the lake and some are still up the rivers. The water quality is good all over the lake so the fish are not in one place. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools on different humps and points. When you find them drop a live shad down to them and they will eat it. Down lines have been the best producers alone with spoons fished into the school you find on the Lowrance.
Crappie fishing is good. The fish are in the mouths of the creek and large coves. They are suspended above the timber. Long lining just over the fish in 6 to 10 ft. of water will draw a strike. If you are fishing muddy water use a dark jig. Stained water use a jig with chartreuse in it.
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
Now available for sale, 50 of Captain Mark Smith’s GPS waypoints for structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Lake Oconee, Georgia. Contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@southernfishing.com for a sample.
We teach ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details. Call for details.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
WEISS LAKE IS FULL, STAIINED, 67 TO 69 DEGREES BY MARK COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE
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 ken@southernfishing.com
| Bass fishing is good. Most of our bass are shallow and spawning, and some are still cruising the banks, and some are also coming off the beds. Lizards, jigs, creature baits, spinnerbaits and shallow running crank baits are catching fish. The spotted bass are on rocky banks, shallow humps, shallow roadbeds and main lake points.
Crappie fishing is good. Crappie are being caught in many areas of the lake. Most fish are shallow and spawning. Three Mile Creek is producing a lot of fish. Mud Creek is also producing some fish shallow around the stumps flats. Yellow Creek and the Power House Lake are producing some crappie both shallow and deep. Little River is still producing some good fishing. Longline trolling with Jiffy Jigs in 1/16 ounce and 1/24 ounce. in colors JJ08, JJ13, JJ17, JJ19, JJ25, JJ41, JJ42 and Mark’s ice blue color are the ways to catch these fish. They can also be caught on a Float n Fly technique around docks and brush. Live minnows around docks and brush are also producing some fish. Shooting docks with jigs is producing some good fishing, also |
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
May 1, 2015
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 75-80 DEGREES, RIVERS AND CREEKS ARE STAINED, LOWER LAKE IS CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 478 451 0167 ext 1215 (SINCLAIR MARINA)
WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COM MATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM
Bass fishing is fair. The bass on are transitioning to the post spawn phase. Numbers of fish can still be caught, but the bigger fish are tougher to find as they recoup from the stressful spawn. The morning bite and evening bite is best, but fish can be caught consistently throughout the day time period. Early in the morning there is still a chance at finding a shad spawn on sea walls, rip rap, or grass beds near the mouth of pockets. A white Buckeye lures spinnerbait and a pearl white Zoom super fluke will catch the active fish feeding on these spawning shad. Mid day, try fishing a weightless green pumpkin Zoom super fluke or a Yamamoto Senko around the docks to catch numbers of fish. It is not uncommon to catch fifty or sixty fish in a day using this technique this time of the year. There have been a lot of fish on the Little River Bridge rip rap recently that will fall victim to a Spro Little Jon crank bait in cell mate or fire tiger colors depending on water clarity. Fishing parallel to the rip rap will get the most bites as your crank bait will stay in the strike zone the entire time it is in the water. Top water baits have been best during the morning and evening time and will even produce a big bite occasionally during the day time. The bream will start bedding on the next full moon which will ignite the top water bite for the rest of the summer. Fishing around these bream beds with a prop bait will give you a good opportunity at catching some big fish. Numbers of smaller fish can also be caught in the clearer creeks on the lower end of the lake by fishing shaky head worms in green pumpkin color around the docks. Give us a call to book your guide trip today so you don’t miss out on the fun. 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.
May is top water time and one of the best months to catch a fish of a lifetime! Give us a call to book your guide trip today so you don’t miss out on the fun. 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.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
MAY 1, 2015
JACKSON LAKE IS 1.2 FEET OVER FULL, STAINED & LOW 70’S
Bass fishing is fair. The water is clear with some stain in the rivers after heavy rains. We are also on the full moon and this means the fish feed at night. Fish deep structure in or near the main lake, or seek cooler water up the rivers. Target points, bluffs, hump’s 12 feet to 15 feet deep in brush, bridge pilings, and deep docks. Put to use shakey heads, heavy compact jigs, and deep running crank baits through the day. Hot weather has many fish hunkered down in deep water, suspended, or roaming with shad in open water. Early in the day, throw a Rico or other top water bait on the deep sea walls or at open water opportunities.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
SONAR SCHOOL HDS PING SPEED 16 on the console and 18 on the bow.
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 ken@southernfishing.com.
We offer these waypoints for sale. You get the coordinates and you load them into your GPS unit
Lake Allatoona for $99.00, Lake Lanier for $99.00, Lake Oconee for $99.00, Lake Weiss for $99.00, Lake Hartwell for $99.00 WAYPOINTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE!
Our mailing address is Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040. 770 889 2654