“The Southern Fishing Report”

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

770 889 2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

www.havefunfishing.com



February 18, 2011



LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 48 DEGREES.



Spotted bass are still relatively slow biting but a few fish are right on the sharp drops on ledges and points close to the channels. As the water starts to warm up later in the day spots make their way to rocky points and the sharper drops offs. The main lake docks are warm and there are some really big spots can hide under these docks. Look at depths of 25 to 35 feet. The spots are hungry but they still have a lot of free food falling as the water is still very cold. The fish are moving but very slowly so fish baits dead stick for now. Drop shot rigs, spoons and small finesse worms on a spot sticker will be the main baits again this week. After a very cold winter the slow moving baits that resemble small worms and jigs can work. The smaller jigs like the Enticer jig in the 1/4 ounce size can imitate the crawfish and all it takes is to add a small #101 Uncle Josh pork trailer. Colors on these jigs can be blacks and browns and with the deep water presentations add some extra scent to give the fish another reason to attack the baits. The cotton candy Zoom finesse worm on a 3/16 ounce lead sinker with the Texas rig will be the best bait. With some clearing and warmer weather fishing up the rivers on points and docks will produce quality fish. The full moon is Friday February 18 and this cold water will not allow the fish at Lanier to spawn.



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 fair. The temperatures are rising and the lake is starting to warm into the mid 40's. The lake is clear down to 10 feet and you can visually see the bait fish. Unfortunately the thread fin shad are still dying and the stripers are feeding on the dead and dying threads making the fishing difficult. The stripers have all the food they want with very little effort. There are birds on the south end as far as you can see picking up dying threads to the point where they can hardly fly! Consequently, the birds are little help in locating fish. The good news is the weather forecast is for continuing warmer temperatures. As the temperature warms and the backs of the creeks and shallow flats warm up faster than the lake the bait fish will move onto the flats and into the back of the creeks which will improve the striper fishing. Umbrella rigs and small baits are picking up a few fish in Flat, Balus and Mud creeks in the first two hours of the morning. Do not hesitate to check other creeks lake wide from middle to all the way in the back. Pulling a combination of small and medium size baits on free lines 50 to 70 feet back and bait 10 to 20 feet behind planner boards while casting a 1/2 ounce bucktail is a good method in checking out creeks. As always an umbrella rig remains an excellent tool in searching for fish.



February 18, 2011



WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 6.4 FEET, STAINED & 52 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL



Bass fishing has been good. Fish have bit a little better this week. With recent warmer day time temperatures, fish pulled up a little following bait seeking warmer temperatures. I have been covering as much water as possible throwing small shallow running crankbaits in a shad pattern. With the clearing water fish have preferred tighter wobbling crankbaits like a Rapala glass shad rap in shad pattern. Using long cast as close to rocky banks make about five turns with the reel and pause. Repeat this cadence all the way back to the boat. My best success has been on the northern end of the lake because of the stained water warming faster. Focus on rocky points closest to the main river channel.



Hybrid and striper fishing is slow. Some fish have pulled up following shad, but the majority of the fish are still deep. Drop live shad on humps and roadbeds for fish relating to bait. Fish are not relating as deep to structure as they were a couple of weeks ago so look for depths in 18 to 20 feet.



Crappie fishing has been good. Fish have pulled shallow this week in major creeks and pockets. Troll minnow tipped Jiffy Jigs in pink/white or black/chartreuse combinations. Focus on depths in ten feet of water and trolling your baits in six to eight feet of water. The best creeks have been Whitewater and Yellowjacket creeks.



February 18, 2011



LAKE ALLATOONA IS 12 FEET, 50 DEGREES AND CLEAR



This Lake Allatoona Bass report is from Matt Driver of www.proanglerradio.com



Bass fishing is slowly getting better. The warm weather is allowing bass to move shallow for short periods of time. This week a lipless crank baits like the Spro Aruku shad in reds and orange seem to be good. Also the Spro little John MD is also a good choice. Fish points at 1 to 10 feet deep. Also work the channel bends close to deep water and cover a lot of water to find active fish. The deep water allows bass to hide out and come shallow during the evening after the sun has warmed the shallow water. Some of the bass are feeding on bream that are enjoying the warm shallow water. Fishing is still not great but getting better quick.



This Lake Allatoona striper and hybrid fishing guides 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@comcast.net



Linesides fishing is starting to get better and should return to normal by next week. We were on the lake this week graphing from Kellogg’s to the dam. The good new is the shad kill is almost over. In the four hour we saw a total of 3 dying shad. The bait is moving back up into the creek into warmer water. We threw the net a couple of times and was able to net some really nice thread fins. The bait was active and seems to be doing well in my tanks. We found a great supply of gizzard shad as well. This is a very good sign the kill is close to and end. With the warmer weather they are calling for next week fishing should improve a lot.



February 18, 2011



LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 5.5 FEET, 49 DEGREES



Bass fishing is good and the weather is breaking. This week fish as many points as possible. The bass are half way in the creeks and on points close to any creek bend. Some small bass are still taking there time to move out of the creeks but these fish are really small. Whether up in the Savannah or Rocky River stay on the main portion of the lake and fish the points. The key will be to find the ones that product the best bass and fish all the points that have the same structure on them. The spotted bass are holding to the points that have the most rock on them while the largemouth are hugging rocks with the most wood on them. This could change from day to day and changing your fishing pattern throughout the day will be a must. Use small Rapala Shad Raps, small Bandits and the RS Shad Raps. But be aware, it is still February in Georgia and a lot of weather can still be unpredictable.



February 18, 2011



LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 3.3 FEET, CLEAR, 49 DEGREES



Bass fishing is picking up and the lake is still down. The water temperatures will vary depending on where in the lake you are. Up in the rivers expect to find colder water. But be aware, it is still February in Georgia and a lot of weather can still be unpredictable. This difference between the main lake and the rivers will not have any effect on the bass you will catch. Most of the bass that are biting right now is the spotted bass. Largemouth and spots are on the move up on the points. The best place to look for and catch these bass this week is on the rocky points and just to the sides. The best bait now is a Shad Rap or a DT 6 in small sizes all in shad colors. Stay off the point as far as possible and make very long casts. The fish seem to spook if you get too close. Cast your bait into very shallow water, one to two feet, and start a slow retrieve back to the boat. If the sun comes out, stay on the points and usually only one bass per point is caught. Move around and fish as many points as possible and keep those hooks wet. Some are still using jigging spoon in deep water to bring up a few bass.



February 18, 2011



CLARK HILL IS DOWN 4.9 FEET, STAINED & 51 DEGREES



Bass fishing is fair and the rising water temperatures have the black bass moving. The water temperatures are still in the mid to low 50’s. Work a pearl Zoom Super Fluke also and try the original size and then go to the smaller one on small hooks and light line. Concentrate your efforts along points and the ledges of the river channel. Even take along a lake map and locate all the areas where submerged structure is in thirty feet of water or less. These areas usually hold fish all year long. Use a Carolina rig and ten pound test line and a light brass weight usually 1/8 or 3/16 ounce and the lighter the better. With a 2/0 Mustad worm hook and add a four inch Rattle Thunder worm by Storm in either purple or red shad. A very slow presentation will be a must. If you think you might be working it too slow, slow down some more.



February 18, 2011



LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED AND 55 DEGREES BY MATT BATY



Bass fishing is good. The fish are in different stages of the spawn on different areas of the lake. With the warm weather and the full moon on Friday, look for some bass to be spawning and look for a lot to be cruising the shallows. Target backwater areas that have clear water, as the main lake and rivers are extremely muddy from all of the recent rainfall. While looking for spawning fish, swim a 7" Big Bite Baits Sugar Cane Worm in Watermelon Pearl. Use a 1/4 ounce. Tungsten, and a 4/0 Offset shank Gamakatsu hook. This bait swims real well and gives a tremendous action with its paddle tail. You can also still find some pre-spawn fish on the lake right now. The best places to look for these is depressions or ponds where the fish will stack up in. Use a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Mudbug Red or Old Glory, on 20 lb. Sunline FC Sniper Fluorocarbon line. This bait will catch quality and numbers.



February 18, 2011



LAKE GEORGE IS FULL, 55 DEGREES & CLEAR



Bass fishing is good and there are bass scattered lake wide. Towards the dam, clearer water will prevail bringing the larger bass and more frequent bite. Points that run sharp and drop off into deep water fast are producing nice bass but these fish aren't just jumping in the boat. Deep water cranking with the Rapala DT10 in the fire tiger or natural shad color is the best bait to throw on these points. Long casts in three to four feet of water and using a slow retrieve will work but anglers are reporting several casts in the same area are needed to get a hook up. Work the bait slow and even dig into the bottom in the shallow water will aid while cranking in the winter. Another good choice of baits is the no.7 black/silver suspending Shad Rap. Crank the bait down to about seven to ten feet on eight or ten pound test line then just stop the bait and let it sit for three to four seconds.



February 18, 2011



LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 3.24 FEET, STAINED & 48 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. E mail ken@havefunfishing.com


Jiffy Jigs Largest Crappie contest Come fish with me and have a chance to win a 50.00 dollar prize sponsored by JIFFY JIGS. The largest Crappie caught in my boat each month in February and March will win the prize. www.jiffyjigs.com



Bass fishing is fair and very few largemouth are being caught, a few fish are starting to show up on secondary points. Little River is still producing some good Spot fishing in the upper part on the old river ledges and the steep rock banks, a drop shot rig with a 4 inch worm or a small craw is working great.



Striper fishing is poor and a few Stripers are being caught in the upper Coosa river trolling 1/4 ounce jigs with a 3 and 4 inch white Sassy Shad trailer, at 1.5 -2 mph.



Crappie fishing is great and the fish are starting to stage in the bays and cove's on a pre spawn pattern. When the weather breaks and the water temperature climbs into the upper 40’s, the crappie to really turn on for the spring. Long line trolling in 4 to 8 feet of water with Jiffy Jigs in 1/24 ounce in colors JJ08, JJ12, JJ13, JJ17, JJ24 is producing some great Weiss Lake slabs.



February 18, 2011



LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 50 DEGREES, STAINED TO MUDDY BY MARK SMITH



Lake Oconee Line Side report brought to you by Mark Smith at Reel Time Guide Service. 404-803-0741. wwwreeltimeguideservice.com



Bass fishing is fair. The lake is stained to muddy up the rivers. Richland creek has a light stain. The bass are starting to move into the shallow spring areas. Find rocks and work small crank bait off of the rocks. Keep spinner bait ready and work the same area with the blade. With the water temp increasing daily more fish will start to move in the creeks and coves, following the bait. It is still winter time so keep moving and work your bait slow. Some bigger fish have shown up on the jig fished under docks and structure. Make sure the dock is near deeper water. With all the sun this past week the fish seam to be looking to get out of the light. So target the back of the docks, if the dock has structure and is near deep water you have found the right combination. This is the time of year for change so be ready to adjust as the weather changes.



Line side fishing is fair and spring is coming. It is time to head to the dam. Make sure you have all the types of bait you will need. One day they like shiners and the next they like shad. Look for fish to stage off of striper point and the boat house at the dam. Have down lines and flat lines ready. After the long winter these fish will be hungry. Now is the time to take a child fishing. These fish should stay on the south end of the lake until May.



Crappie fishing is good. The crappie bite is starting up. It is day to day. You go out one day and can not find the fish and the next day you have trouble keeping a line in the water. The fish have shown up in Lick creek and up the Appalachia River. It will not be long before they are in Sugar Creek also. Now is the time to put big slabs in the cooler. Dark jiffy jigs tip with a minnow, black blue is my first pick. Some of the bigger fish have shown up in very shallow water. It is just going to get better as spring gets closer.



Catfish report by Chad Smith Guide Service. The catfish are finally starting to wake up from there winter nap. We are catching fish on the main lake flats and long sloping points with deep water close by, look for the bigger fish to move even shallower as the week progresses with warmer weather in the forecast. Look for flats and long points in 15 to 20 feet of water and with at least 30 feet of water close by. The best bait right now is either big gizzard shad or big threadfin shad cut into big chunks fish on the bottom. If you can’t find shad then big bass minnows cut into chunks will also work. www.chadsmithguideservice.com 706-207-2411



February 18, 2011



LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 54 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.



Bass fishing is good. Small crank baits and spinner baits are working at first light. Many bass of all sizes are feeding on shad early along the rip rap lake wide ad the shad are spawning. Any of the rocky banks and sea walls are fair. The early bite can last from thirty minutes to two or three hours. Small spinner baits, Zoom flukes and #5 Shad Raps are fair all in white or shad patterns. Bass are beginning to move to the points and humps. Look at 5 to 14 feet deep. Carolina rigs will also work but some of the larger bass will hit the crank baits. #7 Fat Free Shads and Poe’s 400’s have been good. Bass are also being caught around the posts of boat docks. Flip or pitch a tube, lizard or worm past the post and allow the bait to fall on a tight line to hit bottom beside the post. Move the bait slightly after a short pause. If nothing happens, retrieve the bait and pitch to another post. Flipping and pitching docks will work with the new Zoom Magnum trick worm in June bug.



February 18, 2011



JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 5.7 FEET, CLEAR & 52 DEGREES



Bass fishing is starting to pick up and these fish are finally roaming around. Start with the green Zoom trick worm and work the sea walls first light. Then get to the main lake points and work the #5 Shad Raps in black/silver or pearl. Work all the points and red clay banks that contain small rock. Stay out as far as possible and make long casts into 4 to 5 feet of water. Use a slow and steady retrieve and the stop and go retrieve and find out which the fish like best. The best bait to use on the rocky points is the small Rat L Traps in silver blue backs. Keep the rod tip high and work this bait just off the bottom. Try the Storm 4 1/2 inch red shad worm rigged Carolina style.



Meet Bass Pro and television personality Jimmy Houston at the North Metro Baptist Church on March 31, 2011. There will be a meal included in a $10.00 ticket at the door. Call 770 995 9055 or see www.northmetro.net for details.



Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE! Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The BASICS OF SONAR seminars are held on the last Saturday of each month at 2pm. All seminars are subject to change without notice.



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 BASS FISHING books for sale: BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL , BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books are written exclusively for bass and each book 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.



We have 3 books that cover ALL SPECIES in these lakes, 52 WEEKS ON LAKE ALLATOONA, 52 WEEKS ON LAKE LANIER and 52 WEEKS ON WEST POINT LAKE on sale. Each book is $23.95. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040. Copyright 2011, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. Call us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.