“The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant
770 889 2654
Cumming, Georgia 30040
April 3, 2015
LAKE LANIER IS FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE STAINED & UPPER 50’S
This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764
The DVD’s from my January 17th Seminar are now available. They are $39 each. Give me a call if you are interested in purchasing one: 770 542 7764.
Bass fishing is good and will continue to improve as the fish have been continued moving up and are ready to eat! The dock bite has again been our focus over the last week. Both largemouth and spots can be taken around docks in 10 to 15 feet and shallower. A Spro McStick jerk bait and a fluke have been working well. The fluke bite is always a blast and is just getting started. Work the fluke slowly around docks and give the bait plenty of time to fall on a slack line. Watch your fluke and your line for indications of a bite. With the jerk bait, include pauses of 1 2 seconds between twitches. Wind is always a plus for these presentations. When the moving baits are not working around the docks, switch to a 3/16 ounce Davis Shaky Head with a finesse worm or creepy crawler or you can opt for a weightless or whacky rigged Senko and skip these baits around docks. Look for the docks with the black floats and metal poles, as these will hold heat the best, and therefore attract the bait and fish more readily. There are fish gathering in the backs of pockets and creek arms to chase the blue backs which have been swarming in the backs of the creek arms and pockets. Unbelievable numbers of bait fish are present in some pockets. Look for wolf packs of bass in numbers of 10 20 in the backs of the pockets chasing the baits around. A spinnerbait, a jerk bait, and a fluke have been working well on these fish. Look for the Largemouth to go on the beds strong in the next few days in conjunction with the full moon. The spots should not be far behind. In the mornings, we have also had some success focusing on steeper, rocky secondary points with a jerk bait and a shaky head. The fish are typically shallow, but deep water needs to be nearby. I only have a few dates left in April, please let me know ASAP if you would like to book a trip! April: 21, 22, 23, 29, 30, Give me a call and let’s go get ’em!
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 Stripers are over open water mid lake and have started to move into the backs of the creeks as the bait has moved up shallow. Live bait continues to be your best bet. Blueback Herring continues to be the bait of choice when fished on un weighted free lines 100 feet behind the boat. However, we always start with a combination un weighted and weighted one or two split shots lines and adjust accordingly. Fish your planner boards lines 35 to 50 feet behind the board. Keep your trolling motor speed between .6 and 1.2 miles per hour. We caught a couple of small fish on a Red Fin this week at first light. It is always a good idea to keep someone on the front deck casting a Red Fin or a Captain Mack’s buck tail jig while you are pulling bait. You may also want to pick up a couple of big Gizzard shad and put one on a float behind the boat for that 40 pound fish. We are not catching any fish on down lines and have not used Umbrella rigs. The live bait bite is just too good. There are a lot of spotted bass in the same areas both over deep water and shallow points and flats. 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 water temperature is in the low 60 degrees during the day and the water is lightly stained on the main lake with heavy stain in the backs of the creeks. The lake is less than one foot below full pool.
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
Crappie fishing is great and the spawn is on. Not all fish spawn at the same time, so anticipate the spawn to continue the next two to three weeks. Higher water temperatures will speed up the spawn. Target the blow downs. A blow down is a fallen tree partially on the bank, partially in the water. But not all blow downs are equal. There are an unusual amount in the lake from last month’s winter. The older blow downs with algae buildup will produce better than the new. To determine the size of the tree, look at the trunk of the tree and compare it to a standing tree. That will give you an idea of the height of the tree, and therefore the length submerged. Make sure you fish all the angles, including the middle of the tree. Crappie relate to structure, and they’ve found their living room. Target pockets in the middle to the backs of creeks. You can use crappie minnows as well as hair jigs. You may want to try using a weighted cork. Cast it into the blow down and pop it slowly as you retrieve. If you are a dock shooter you will still find fish on the shallower docks close to the spawning ground. The females have either laid their eggs and headed back to docks, or are hanging out at the nearer docks waiting to head in to spawn. If you want to harvest fish, be mindful that the females holding eggs are our future fish, so consider keeping only the darker colored fish almost purplish black and releasing the females. This is the time of the year that you can put your limit in the boat with no problem. The more spots you fish, the more fish you will put in the boat. Always, when you start catching the smaller fish, leave that spot and go to the next pocket, or the next dock. The fish are aggressive now, and are not picky on jig colors. Our favorite line is Mr. Crappie four pound test, high visibility line. We find that wearing polarized sunglasses is very helpful in enabling you to see your line movement. Get out and fish! It is the best time of the year! Wear your life jacket; it can save your life.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.com
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 Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
April 3, 2015
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 2.6 FEET, STAINED & MID 60’S
Bass fishing is good and the full moon has a lot of fish shallow. They are moving up shallow and starting to spawn in the backs of pockets. Use the Zoom Super Flukes, trick worms and Senko’s and this can be an all day tactic. Throw these baits into the tops of grass and twitch them just enough to keep from hanging up. Most of the bites have been coming within a few feet of the bank. Be sure to pick apart any wood you see in the water. Up lake good places to fish are Jackson Creek, Ski jump cove and don’t forget Half Moon Creek. Down lake the pattern is very similar to up lake but with the water being clearer throw a Pop R in bone color. Down lake go to Maple Creek, Bird Creek and the No Name in the pockets. Keep a Rat L Trap tied on for those fish chasing bait.
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
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.
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.
April 3, 2015
LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 3.5 FEET, STAINED & LOW 60’S DEGREES
This Allatoona Bass Fishing report is by Matt Driver, www.proanglerradio.com
Bass fishing is very good. The spawn has begun, but it doesn’t happen all at once. The largemouth began first, and the spots will go on mid month. Right now, there are waves of bass waiting to spawn. Those that are pre spawn are feeding up like crazy. Baits like the Big Bite Jerk Minnow and the Trick Stick in pearl white are a fun and productive way to seek out wolf packing spots. Fish these baits on a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu Skip Gap hook and 12 pound Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon. Watch for schooling fish. There has been a mix of spots, largemouth and hybrids. Top water is good and will only get better toward the end of the month, when schooling fish are up. Cast a Spro Dawg or a Zara Spook past the school and retrieve it back at a rapid pace. Make sure the bait disappears, and you feel tension before your set the hook. Big spots are also being caught on shaky head finesse worms on pea gravel banks that are protected from the wind. The spots will spawn much deeper than largemouth, and the jig head is a great tool to coax a bedding spot to bite.
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.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia email: eidson6260@att.net
Lineside fishing is good. The bite this week has been the best I have seen in months. The white bass are making their spawning runs up both the Etowah and Little river. The Hybrids and Stripers are feeding heavily down on the main lake and should start their spawn migration run north on the next full moon. The south end of the lake is fishing very well right now. The thread fin shad are moving into the backs of the creeks and pockets and the Stripers and Hybrid are migrating with the bait. Thread fins fished on flat lines and planner board has been our better bite. The fish are very aggressive and are blowing our bait completely out of the water. We are also catching some really nice fish blind casting jerk baits. Mid lake is also fishing well this week. We have seen some sporadic top water action out in front of Bartow Carver at first light. We aren’t catching big numbers mid lake but what we are boating are guilty fish. The striper and hybrid bite on the north end of the lake has been slow compared to the south end. But that will change in the next few days with the upcoming full moon.
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
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
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.
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.
April 3, 2015
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 1.5 FEET & LOW 60’S
Bass fishing is good. Start looking in the coves and cuts for pre spawn bass. The Carolina rig is producing good bass along with the cranks and jerk baits. In the off colored water, use the Rapala hot mustard DT6 and the Silver X Rap. Try the new Scatter Rap jerk bait in shad also. Points with rock and wood are still holding bass and remember not all the bass will spawn at the same time. Throwing the Skitter Walk early will show you where the bass are and follow this up with some sort of a Shad Rap. On lay downs, work the jigs, smaller ones are better, in and around the entire tree. Boat docks and the Texas Rigged Zoom green pumpkin u tail worms and Stanley dark jigs are working. This is the pre spawn period, so don’t expect to see the bass bunched up on every location you fish.
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.
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing On the Water fishing schools.
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.
April 3, 2015
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 1.2 FEET, LOW 60’S DEGREES & STAINED
Bass fishing is good. The bass are roaming around in the shallows lake wide so anglers should do the same. Use a Texas rigged worm or jig and pig. Some top water action has been occurring early and late. 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. The spots are holding on gravel and rocky point in 6 to 10 feet of water. Use Carolina rigged worms in most any color pumpkinseed, green and purple. Largemouth and spots will bed soon. A trick worm fished with a slip shot up 18 to 24 inches fished in the pockets around the lake is working well.
See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.com
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
April 3, 2015
LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & LOW 60’S
Bass fishing is good. Use a shallow running shad or bream DT Rapala crank bait and Stanley all white spinnerbaits. The green Zoom trick worm or a Zoom pumpkinseed lizard will work on the secondary points in the longer creeks and find shady banks early and late and then use a Bass Pro Shops Enticer buzz bait with a gold blade. Try the Alabama rig with small Zoom pearl flukes on a 1/8th ounce lead head and be sure to use a braid to save the rig if it hangs up. Up the rivers and on deeper creeks on points, use a shad color Shad Rap in the #5 size. Lower lake creeks on outside creek bends are good with spinner baits and the Poe’s 300 bone crank bait.
See our web site for Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass DVD on sale.
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.com
Sample of the BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL e mail ken@southernfishing.com
April 3, 2015
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, CLEAR AND MID 60’S BY MATT BATY
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Bass fishing is good. There are small buck bass bedding on sand, and the larger females are cruising around in the bedding areas. There are several different ways to get bit in these areas. If the areas have grass or lily pads present, you can swim a jig through the pads and grass. A 3/8 ounce. Buddha Baits In Seine Swim Jig in green pumpkin with a 4.25 inch Big Bite Baits Cane Thumper in green pumpkin is a great combination. Pair this with a 7 foot 4 inch heavy Duckett Terex rod, a Team Lew’s Lite reel with 7:5:1 gear ratio and 50 lb. Sunline braid, and you are in business. If the bedding areas are near sandbars with sparse vegetation, then you can fish a shallow diving crank bait, such as a Spro Baby Fat John in nasty shad. If you are sight fishing, then Power Poles are a must because they make this technique so much easier. If you find a bedding bass, a Big Bite Baits Warmouth, a 5/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook and a 3/8 ounce. Fish Catchin Fool tungsten and bobber stopper is a sure way to catch them. The other pattern that works well is to use your Lowrance HDS units and mapping to locate depressions and ditches near spawning areas. Bass will use these as highways, and you can catch pre spawn and post spawn fish in these areas with a crank bait or jerk bait
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.com
Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology with Southern Fishing on the Water fishing schools. ken@southernfishing.com
April 3, 2015
LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN ONE FOOT, UPPER 60’S
Bass fishing is good. Water clarity varies from stained in certain areas to clear on the lower end of the lake. High water coupled with warm, sunny days equal’s fantastic fishing. Spinnerbaits in either white or white and chartreuse with willow blades have been working around flooded grass. In addition, Texas rigged lizards are producing some nice fish both quantity and quality. Fishing shallow grass seems to be the best bet. Use the Texas rig and the 8 inch Zoom lizard around flooded grass. As the water continues to clear up coupled with bright, shiny days a slower presentation will be helpful. As always, Cowikee creek is one of the best producing areas on the lake.
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.
April 3, 2015
LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, STAINED UP THE RIVERS CLEAR ON MAIN LAKE, 58 67 DEGREES
Bass fishing is good. The lake is full. Start in 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. Use Shad Raps and small crank bait with rattles fished on sea walls and around docks. White and chartreuse spinner baits fished along the Sugar creek and Lick creek bridge rip rap has also been producing some larger fish. Richland creek has also been producing some good fish in the upper reaches of the creek. Blue black and brown jigs have been working well fished in and around wood cover.
Striper report by Capt. Mark Smith, Reel Time Guide service 404 803 0741
Striper fishing is good. The fish are starting to show up at the dam for the spring run. Live bait fished on down lines along with flat lines and plainer boards will pick up fish. If the water clears up the umbrella rig bite will also produce fish. There are also some good fish showing up in the rivers. Cut bait fished on the bottom will be the best bait for the river fish.
Crappie fishing is good. The fish are moving into the major creeks. Long lining trolling has been the best producer over the past week. Match the jig color to the water color. Blue black is one option. Over the next few weeks the largest fish will be moving into the coves and creeks to spawn so now it the time to fill a cooler with big slabs.
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.
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
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.
April 3, 2015
WEISS LAKE IS DOWN 1.9 FEET, STAINED, 59 TO 62 DEGREES
From: Mark Collins Guide Service www.markcollinsguideservice.com 256 779 3387
Bass fishing is good. The fish are shallow and hungry. Target ditch lines and old creek channels and secondary points in the spawning bays, fish the 2 to 4 feet range using a Rat L Trap in chrome and blue, a flat sided crank bait like a Flat A or a B Flat in solid white or white with a chartreuse belly. If the fish are not active enough for those lures use a 1/2 ounce Oldham Spinner bait in white and chartreuse with double willow blades, slow roll it near the bottom, or try a slow lift and fall technique, or try pitching a 3/8 ounce black and blue Stanley jig with a Gene Larew salt craw trailer in June bug color, try shallow rip rap and any visible cover in the backs of spawning bays.
Striper fishing was good this week. The stripers have started moving up the rivers on the spawning run. A few smaller fish are still being caught in the mouths of the feeder rivers. A lot of fish are being caught behind plant Hammond and at the Lock and Dam in Rome, Georgia. Use a white buck tail jig in 3/8 ounce with a white 3 or 4 inch sassy shad trailer behind the Lock and Dam or fish cut shad on the bottom in the Coosa River and the Chattooga Rivers. Look for sharp bends in the river and shoal areas, fish the inside of the bends and below the shoals.
Crappie fishing is great. The fish are shallow and getting ready to spawn; just about any spawning bay is holding fish right now in 2 to 5 feet of water. Slow troll JR’s jigs in 1/32 ounce for some hot action. Use a quality trolling rod like All Pro Rods Slab Slayer series or the Float and Fly series.
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.c om
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
April 3, 2015
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 64 68DEGREES, 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 good. The spawn is in full swing on Lake Sinclair this week. This week’s warm weather paired with the upcoming full moon have the bass flooding into the shallows to lay their eggs. Catching these fish will require slowing down and fishing soft plastic baits in protected sandy spawning pockets. These fish will spawn on any piece of cover they can find in the pockets. Isolated stumps, dock walkways, and sea walls will be the best targets to hit when trying to catch these spawning fish over the next few weeks. Make sure to make repetitive casts to each target before moving on to the next one. You might be able to sight fish for some of these fish if you find some of the clearer water down the lake. Bottom crawling baits that you can fish slowly will work best. A Buckeye mop jig with a craw trailer and a Texas rigged Zoom 6 lizard have been extremely effective this week. You can also catch some aggressive fish early in the morning and late in the evening with a black buzz bait and a chartreuse and white spinnerbait.
April is 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, check out our sales page or call 478 451 0167
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.
APRIL 3, 2015
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN .7 FEET, STAINED & MID 60’S
Bass fishing is good. The lack of rain let the lake clear up a bit but the wind still keep it a little muddy up in the shallows. The bass are on the move up shallow and will spawn right on time. With this lake having its share of wood and stumps, the bass that are on the holding pattern are relating to this wood. You will see the fish sitting on top of the stumps on you graph and will bite almost any bait you put in front of them. The shad are now moving back in closer to the bank and the bass are feeding on these baits along with the bream and crawfish. With the large shad schools around the lake, this would be a good time to use the Alabama rig. Crawdad colored Shad Raps and jigs are still good baits to use this week. Bass are being caught up every river and creek on the lake. Picking one good area will be difficult to do this week on this lake and any lake during the spawn. The best hint for this week is to keep those hooks sharp and wet.
Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.
PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH: Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes: www.highwaterscreations.com
We teach On the Water Schools for Sonar and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for Ken details at 770 889 2654 for details.
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 ken@southernfishing.com. Our mailing address is Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.