Georgia Fishing – Southern Fishing Report 7-11-14

“The Southern Fishing Report” By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge Drive
770 889 2654
Cumming Georgia 30040
www.southernfishing.com

July 11, 2014

LAKE LANIER IS .24 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & 84 DEGREES

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764

Bass fishing is fair. There are still plenty of the fish around the brush on the main lake and in the mouths of creeks. We have been focusing on this brush almost exclusively every day. Each day is a process of figuring out how aggressive the fish are and how far they will come up. The top water bite has slowed some, but it is still there. The Chug Bug, your favorite walking bait and a bite sized herring have been our go to baits near the surface. A jig, a drop shot, and a Fish Head Spin have been our next choices. We are running several spot tail trips for youngsters and been having a blast. And the artificial bite has been working well also. I have the following dates open in July: 14, 15,21, 23, 24 (PM), 28, 29, 30, 31 July is a good drop shot month and a great time to go spot tail minnow fishing which is great for kids and adults alike!! Give me a call and let’s go 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 remains very good. Not a lot has changed this week. The fish are locked into their summer time pattern and most have moved into Creek mouths and bays off the river channel. Your Lowrance fish finding sonar, structure scan and GPS electronics are critical tools for locating summer time stripers. Focus on trees in pockets off the river and creek channels. If you see a couple of fish stop and drop your down rods to targeted depth. Most of the fish are being caught with down rods set at 30 to 50 feet. Trolling lead core is working and will only get better as the summer progresses. Set your lines at 7 to 8 colors with a one ounce. The buck tail jigs with one white and one chartreuse shad body trailer will work. Chartreuse trailers have been more productive than white this week but we always start with both and let the fish tell us what they prefer. Color preference can change from day to day. Pull your lead core line at 3 to 3.7 MPH. The umbrella rig is also working. We use a 3 ounce, 4 arm umbrella rig with 9, 1 ounce buck tail jigs with white and chartreuse 4 inch shad bodies. Set your rigs at 100 to 120 ft back and pull between 2.7 to 3.5 MPH. Bald Ridge creek, Two Mile creek, Flowery Branch, Flat Creek and the Browns Bridge area are all good places to start. The lake temperature is in the mid 80’s. The water is lightly stained in the back of the creeks and clear on the main lake both North and South.

Meet Lowrance Pro Staffer, Ken Sturdivant at the new Cabela’s in Acworth, Georgia, August 21 though 24, 2014. Ken will be hosting these FREE! Seminar: FRIDAY August 22, 2014 at 3 pm and 7 pm: Fishing Georgia Lakes for bass. SATURDAY August 23, 2014 at 3 pm and 7 pm: Finding Fish with Lowrance technology. SUNDAY August 24, 2014 at 3 pm and 5 pm: The Bass Anglers Tackle Box. Located at the Cherokee Village at I 75 and Highway 92, Kennesaw Georgia

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. 706 867 5102

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Pro Staff, will be at Dreher Island State Park, 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity South Carolina 29127, August 13 17, 2014. Ken will doing Lowrance demonstration rides from 8am until 2pm Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday at the park.

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

July 11, 2014

WEST POINT LAKE IS FULL, STAINED & MID 80’S

Bass fishing is flow. Both the largemouth and the spots are holding on points and road bed in 8 to 12 feet of water. They are also on shallow structures and in deep blow downs in 6 to 8 feet. Fish top water using buzz baits through the blow downs. Use Texas rigged worms in blue, electric grape and metal flake or pig and jigs on the points and road beds. Top water action has slowed, but a few fish are still hitting on top most mornings. This bite is normally much better during current flows using crank baits. A variety of baits have produced, some that run 6 to 10 feet and others that dive 15 feet or more. Lightweight Texas rigs and jig head and worm rigs are better with no current. Also try the worm rigs along the bridge supports. The most consistent bite for bass is along main river points, humps, and ledges. Depths are mostly from 10 to 16 feet deep, and 20 feet or more on the lower end of Sinclair in clear water. Crank baits and Carolina rigs are the main baits of choice. Norman DD22, Fat Free Shad, Rapala DT16, Poe’s 400, and Bandit 400 are all good cranking baits. For the Carolina rig, try a Zoom Trick worm or Finesse worm.

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

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Pro Staff, will be at Dreher Island State Park, 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity South Carolina 29127, and August 13 17, 2014. Ken will doing Lowrance demonstration rides from 8am until 2pm Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday at the park.

July 11, 2014

LAKE ALLATOONA IS FULL, STAINED & MID 80’S

This bass fishing report is by Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com 404 456 6094

Bass fishing is tough but can get good for short periods. Most fish can still be found in mid depth brush as well deeper brush, but we have caught fish as deep as 36 ft deep. Swim baits like the big bite 3 1/2 cane thumper on a 1/2 ounce head as wall as A Texas rigged Yo Mama and a jig are working in the brush. Right at dark there has been spastic Schooling in the main lake many of the schools are pretty big. A spoon a soft jerk bait like the Big Bite 5 inch jerk minnow and a popper type bait like the Spro Hydro pop in a bream pattern has been producing. Also a 1/4 ounce Rooster Tail in white. Fish can also be found on the ends of points near 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 but are hit or miss. 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. Something I playing around a Big Bite green pumpkin tube jig with a new tube head on the market called a lifted jig.

Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides Report is provided by First Bite Guide Service of Lake Allatoona. When you’re ready to catch stripers and hybrids, contact Robert at 770 827 6282 or by e mail: eidson6260@gmail.com.

Line side fishing is good. Change nothing when it comes to locations and techniques. Down lining shad is still the ticket to catching big numbers. Down lines fished in the mouth of any creek, creek channel or river channel will get you bit. The water temperature is rising and the dissolved oxygen levels are falling. Bait isn’t living very long on a hook fished deeper than 24 feet. So, make sure you carry plenty of bait with you. There are two bites going on right now. The first one is from the dam to Holiday Marina. The other one is from the mouth of Kellogg’s to Bartow Carver. Trolling is good with the umbrella rig. We are starting to see multiple hook ups on our trips. We are fishing our 120 to 150 feet behind the boat at speeds of 2.4 to 3.3 MPH. The rig bite should be on fire by the end of next week. We still have opening for July. Give us a call for availability 770 827 6282

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.

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

July 11, 2014

LAKE HARTWELL IS AT FULL POOL & MID 80’S

Bass fishing is slow. Early in the morning, use the number five Jointed Shad Raps in shallow water but only in areas where deep water is near by. Points and the sides of points are excellent, both during the early morning and during the night. Slow cranking Rapala DT10 and DT14 will work along the deeper channel ledges. Bluegill and Green Tiger are excellent colors to use on this lake under these conditions. Buzz baits have been best the last couple days, after popping baits had been the best for a few days before that. Use the Pop R, Chug Bug, Tiny Torpedo, Zara Spooks on the clear water and buzz baits. Main river banks continue to be the best areas to try. Fishing docks and boat houses has gotten tougher, but a few fish can still be caught using soft plastics. Try using a Senko or similar fast falling worm rigged weightless or with the lightest weight possible for the conditions. These worms tend to work better by imparting NO action during retrieve. Simply slide the bait forward about a foot and allow it sit motionless for a few seconds and repeat. A few fish are still feeding along rip rap points on either side of bridges.

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.

July 11, 2014

CLARKS HILL IS FULL, MID 80’S DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is slow. Early in the morning, head up into the rivers and bigger creeks. Remember down sizing will be the key during the hot months. Small Zoom finesse worms on drop shot rigs and light Carolina rigs along the channel ledges are a sure bet on getting a strike. In the upper parts of the rivers try fishing with a Number 4 RS Shad Rap in the Fire Tiger color. Throw in shallows and slowly retrieve it through the dirty water all the way out to the cleaner water. For the most part, anglers are relying on Senko’s fished wacky rigged and worms and jibs to catch the majority of the bass. Most of the bass are small in size with an occasional 3 or 4 pounders showing up.

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

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Pro Staff, will be at Dreher Island State Park, 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity South Carolina 29127, August, 13 17, 2014. Ken will doing Lowrance demonstration rides from 8am until 2pm Thursday, Friday Saturday and Sunday at the park.

July 11, 2014

LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & MID 80’S

Bass fishing is slow and the fish are small. Way up the Savannah River and in Beaver Dam Creek the water is moving and cooler. Flip or pitch the Rattle Back jigs into the cover and watch the line as it falls. The lighter the weight you can use, the better the results. Spotted bass and some largemouth are holding tight to cover during the day. Keep a Zoom Super Fluke in pearl ready all day and use it at every stop even if for only a few casts. Down below the 72 Bridge, use Rapala DT14 to crank the deep water just off the rocky points. Bass are using the areas to stage and keep in cooler water. Long casts and slow retrieves is all it will take to trigger a strike.

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

July 11, 2014

LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED & MID 80’S
Bass fishing is summertime tough but there is some top water action early and late. Buzz baits and Spooks on grass lines near ledges and channels are producing some wonderful fish. When the sun is up, Texas rigs and Carolina rigs on the edges of grass lines can produce some fish. Use a 10 inch worm slowly. Most of the fish coming on top water and then a few being caught on grass lines after the sun was up. The Carolina rig and main lake ledges are good. Almost all the fish are taking plastics, but try a white buzz bait any time of the day. Soft plastics in the green pumpkin, green shad or red bug are working mid day till dark. A grass rat on the edges has been working when the sun is straight up. Work the bait just like a Zara Spook and walk the baits on the edges with an extra rattle in the bait.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com

July 11, 2014

LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, HIGH 80’S
Bass fishing is good. When there is current, the bite can be absolutely fantastic both for numbers and quality and the crank bait is tough to beat. When the current is present anglers can expect find several different schools in an afternoon. However, the best fishing times are from about 5:00 pm until dark. When there is no current the fishing can be down right tough. Use the Carolina rig on river ledges in about 15 to 22 feet and fishing it very slowly. If the ledge has standing timber, really work the timber as the fish will suspend in the trees. Shallow grass early along with shallow river ledges during the day are best to target with the Lowrance Structure Scan technology. The bass bite has been day to day with most of those days seeing anglers jumping from place to place picking up a fish here and there. With the massive amount of bait hatched out they can feed up anywhere. Some top water action has been good early, but it’s about as reliable as the ledge bite. The crank bait bite has been fair on the custom painted baits. Working Texas rigs in shallow cover ranging from 5 to 10 feet has been my good and if you don’t dead stick the worm in the tree for a minute or so they won’t touch it. Green pumpkin is the best color lake wide.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com

July 11, 2014

WEISS LAKE IS AT 0.10 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR TO LIGHT STAINED AND 85 TO 87 DEGREES

Bass fishing is Good and most our bass have moved to deeper water, on brush and stumps, around and under deeper docks in 10 to 15 feet of water. The river and creek channel ledges, submerged, road beds, points and humps are producing some fish also. Pitching a pig and Jig, under and around, deeper dock with brush is producing some quality bass. Casting a medium to deep running crank bait in front of deeper docks with brush is producing some quality fish also. Some smaller bass are still being caught shallow, under and around shallow docks and sea walls.

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 they 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 summer 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.

July 11, 2014

LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 89 DEGREES, STAINED UP RIVER, MAIN LAKE CLEAR, BY MATT HENRY, CALL 478 451 0167 ext 1215 (SINCLAIR MARINA)

WWW.SINCLAIRMARINA.COM MATT@SINCLAIRMARINA.COM

Bass fishing is fair. The warm weather and increased boat traffic from the holiday weekend made things a little tough. The best pattern right now is fishing deeper docks, brush piles, and offshore structure. Focus on water depths of 14 18ft each day to be most successful. A Buckeye spot remover shaky head with a black Zoom trick worm has worked really well this week. Skip this shaky head under the docks or drag it slowly through deep brush piles. Long points or brush covered humps that drop in the river channel have been productive as well. A Spro Little John DD crank bait and a Buckeye football jig will produce fish on these offshore locations. A top water bait can still produce early and late or when you have low light conditions. A great lure choice for top water would be a Bass Hound prop bait or a Spro Bronzeye frog. As always on Lake Sinclair, the bite gets better when Georgia Power is generating current.

Matt has a few openings left this week for guide trips. Give me a call to reserve your trip today.

Make sure to stop by our boat showroom and see our 2014 inventory of 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.

July 11, 2014

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, HIGH 80’S DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair. The lake is full, light stain on the north end clear over most of the lake. Water temperature is 83 to 88 degrees. A good way to start your day is with a buzz bait. Fish it along the sea walls and riprap. Keep a trick worm ready to back up the buzz bait when the fish miss it. When the sun get up switch over to a deep diving crank bait and fish it on the deep water point or hump on the south end. 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.

Line side fishing report by Mark Smith of Reel Time guide service. reeltime@bellsouth.net phone: 404 803 0741

Striper fishing is fair. Some top water action is going on at the dam when Georgia Power is pumping water back into the lake. You can still pick up a few fish on the mid lake humps with the Capt. Mack umbrella rig.

Crappie fishing is 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. Some fish are coming on long lines trolling over the timber.

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

July 11, 2014

JACKSON LAKE IS FULL, STAINED & LOW 80’S

Bass fishing is fair. Beat the heat and fish at night with larger baits around main lake docks with lights. Early morning and late evening try using top water baits. Super Spooks, white Zoom Super flukes and white buzz baits as well as the shad Pop R are the baits of choice. The key is locating an area with plenty of bait fish and schooling fish. Later in the day try Carolina and Texas rigs with worms and lizards and crank baits like Fat Free Shad, Bill Norman, and Bomber Series on the deep water points and drops. Green crank baits with an orange belly are taking the most bass.

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.

Meet Lowrance Pro Staffer, Ken Sturdivant at the new Cabela’s in Acworth, Georgia, August 21 though 24, 2014, located at the Cherokee Village at I 75 and Highway 92, Acworth, Georgia. Ken will be hosting these FREE! Seminars: FRIDAY August 22, 2014 at 3 pm “Finding Fish with Lowrance technology” and 7 pm Fishing Georgia Lakes for Bass. SATURDAY August 23, 2014 at 3 pm “Finding Fish with Lowrance technology” and 7 pm Fishing Georgia Lakes for bass. SUNDAY August 24, 2014 at 3 pm “Fishing Georgia Lakes for bass” and 5 pm, “The Bass Anglers Tackle Box”.

Anglers we 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.