“The Southern Fishing Report” by Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

Cumming Georgia 30040

770 889 2654

www.havefunfishing.com



November 26, 2010



LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 3.2 FEET, CLEAR AND 61 DEGREES.



Spotted bass have been feeding and there are shallow and deep fish all over the lake. Use a large top water baits on main lake humps and points almost all day. Large Chug Bugs, Sammy’s and Spittin Image baits worked very fast can get you a four pound fish almost daily. The fish are very scattered and there are lots of fish feeding on the surface. The top water bite will just get better weekly and the fish are going to be monsters. There are some big spots taking any green fish worm on a 1/8 or 3/16 ounce JP jig head. Also try the small Red Fins, Chug Bugs and flukes. If the wind is up, try jerk baits and spinnerbait’s as they can be very productive as well. The fish are on the move and can be found in on variety of structures and depths. Almost all the brush has some fish and is really consistent structure this week. Concentrate on main lake brush, around 25 feet deep. If you want to fish slowly, get the Texas rigged worms in greens and work the main lake points at 12 to 30 feet.



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 has been good but it is a hide and seek game. Finding the fish is the key as they are scattered lake wide. The pattern is totally different from the North end to the South end. The fish are in the backs of the North end creeks from Sardis Creek to Wahoo Creek. The trick this time of year is to find the most bait in the creeks. Free lining trout and herring while casting a Captain Mack's 1/2 ounce bucktail jig with a fluke has been the winner. Vary your free lines from 50 to 100 feet back and weight the shorter lines with one or two split shots. Planner boards can also be used with baits 20 feet behind the board. I always keep a down rod over the side and fish it as close to the bottom as possible. The fish are scattered all over on the South end. I saw fishing busting bait over a 120 foot bottom and over a 20 foot bottom from the river channel to the mouths of the creeks. Shoal Creek, Big Creek and Two Mile are all holding fish. The birds will help you on the South end so keep your eyes open. The fish are not staying up long but they will suspend 20 40 foot deep over 60 80 ft bottom so use your Lowrance to scan the area where you see surfacing fish. The trick for the South end is to keep moving until you locate the fish or large schools of bait.



Lanier Crappie Anglers meet on the last Wednesday of every month at Hammond's Fishing Center at 4255 Browns Bridge Rd, Cumming. See www.hammondsfishing.net for details.



November 26, 2010



WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 4.4 FEET, 63 DEGREES AND STAINED BY CHRIS BELL



Bass fishing has been fair. Spotted bass have been biting well lake wide and depth dependent on water clarity. The northern end has a little more stain with the clearest water being on the southern end. Largemouth have been scattered which is unusual this time of year. A little rain fall should pull the larger fish up and hold on wood. The best pattern has been on shallow wood in three to five feet of water midway in the pockets. The best pockets have been from the railroad trestle to the 219 bridge. Use a 3/8 ounce All Terrain AT jig in black/blue with a Z man chunz. My other go to bait has been a shaky head with a Z Man floating worm in green pumpkin. On cloudy days with an approaching front us a 3/8 ounce white buzz bait in the same areas.



Hybrid and striper fishing is good. Fish have been gathering on humps and roadbeds going up the river from the pumping stations to Ringer access. Locate the bait and you will find the fish. Once you have located fish drop live shad or jigging spoons into these schools. During times of generation fish will be more active so check local schedules.



Crappie fishing has been fair. With the warmer temperatures the bite has slowed a bit. Crappie are in the same areas, but are not bunched as well as they were a couple of weeks ago. Crappie are being caught in the mouths of creeks and pockets relating to small shad. With the lower water levels you will need to fish the first break off of main channel going into pockets. These channel contours are anywhere from twelve to fifteen feet deep. Use pink and white jigs tipped with minnows in twelve to fifteen feet of water. With the cooler temperatures fish have pulled further back into creeks almost midway. Trolling patterns have seemed to work the best to locate fish. The best creeks have been Half Moon and Yellow Jacket.



November 26, 2010



LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 9.6 FEET CLEAR AND 59 DEGREES



Bass fishing is good. The shad are making there way back into the creeks and the bass are following. Almost any swim bait like the Spro or Sebile baits will work as there are a lot of shallow fish. Senko fish are also starting to pick up also but have a drop shot rig ready for any fish you ride over and see on the Lowrance. Keep going into the creeks. The key is finding out just how far into the creeks they fish are as they follow the bait. Then duplicate those patterns in the other creeks.



This Lake Allatoona fishing guides report is bought to you by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service. www.firstbiteguideservice.com 770 827 6282.



Line side fishing is great. Mid lake is still the best bite on the lake. Kellogg's Creek to Bartow Carver is holding a ton of fish. Big stripers are roaming up in the water column and can be caught on almost any flat or main lake point. Use the gizzard shad and trout on free lines and planner boards. The hybrid bite is still strong on the edge of the river and creek channels. Thread fin shad and medium size shiners fished on down lines at 24 to 34 feet deep is working best. These schools are huge and are willing to eat almost anything right now. There are some really good schools coming up right before dark between Little River and Fields Landing. A white Roster tail is had to beat on these schooling line sides.



November 26, 2010



LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 3.5 FEET, 61 DEGREES AND CLEAR



Bass fishing continues to get better and better each week. This lake is still getting plenty of attention as the lake levels continue to remain good here. Early morning buzz baits and spinner baits are working along with top water baits. The crank bait bite is not really good yet, but this will improve very soon. Number Ten X Raps are working with good results on the main lake points during the windy part of the day. The key will be to fish the sunny points first. At high noon, switch to jigs, worms and tubes to finish up the day. Be sure to have a Super Fluke and a Senko rigged for the afternoon bite around the rocks on the bridges and on reef makers.




November 26, 2010



LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 6.1 FEET, 60 DEGREES AND CLEAR



Bass fishing is still getting better as the water temperatures fall. Start off the morning with a blue and chrome Chug Bug. Concentrate on the points where many of the small fish are knocking the fire out of this bait. As daylight appears, switch to a number Ten X Rap in either the glass ghost or olive green color. Fish both sides of the points while making long casts. By around noon, switch to a Terminator 1/4 ounce jig and fish the rock walls and all the lay downs that are still in the water. This pattern will work and look into the pockets especially those that hold the deeper water. Many of the fish are still suspended in the twelve to seventeen foot range and they will continue to move up as soon as the water temperatures drop.



November 26, 2010



CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 7.5 FEET, 69 DEGREES AND CLEAR



Bass fishing continues to improve, despite the low lake levels. A top water bite is occurring early along with a decent spinner bait bite. The main lake points are still getting a lot of attention at this lake. The best bite is coming off the #7 Shad Rap in and around these areas. The key will be to fish a point or drop off thoroughly before moving on to your next location. Try a variety of baits before moving on to another location. Long point’s are still the best bet. Good baits to pack before heading out include the 3/8 ounce Strike King spinner bait in white or chartreuse, the DT10 Shad Rapala as well as the olive green or glass ghost for the early morning feed. Don't be afraid to use a jig or Carolina rig on the submerged wood, tree tops or stumps. There are some good bass being caught off various forms of wood especially mid to up lake. .



November 26, 2010



LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN .5 FEET, STAINED AND 65 DEGREES BY MATT BATY



Bass fishing is good. The fish are biting on grass flats and grass lines that are adjacent to grass flats on the main lake. Fish a Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Old Glory on 20 lb. Sunline Fluorocarbon. Throw the bait right up in the grass and rip it free. Most strikes come when the bait is being ripped from the grass. I like to switch the hooks over to size 2 Gamakatsu EWG's to help the bait come through the grass easier. This bite is extremely good with wind and current present. If it is calm, then fish the same areas with a Texas Rig Big Bite Baits 6" Kriet Tail Worm in Redbug with a 3/8 ounce Tungsten sinker. The best places for the worm are holes in the grass or right on the edge of the grass. 7 10 feet has seemed to be the key depth.





November 26, 2010



LAKE EUFAULA IS FULL, 68 DEGREES AND CLEAR



Bass fishing is fair. A Texas rigged u tail worm in red bug or June bug will work. But be sure to have some watermelon seed lizards on a short Carolina rig. Mid day go to a shad or green back Bandit 200. Based on the recent mood of the fish the crank will be most productive early in the day and add a crawfish color. Some quality fish may be feeding shallow and fall for a jig fished around shallow structure. Always have a Super Fluke and a 3/8 ounce jig ad pig ready any time of the day. The top water baits around grass beds can produce some bites. Buzz Baits, Spooks, and Pop R’s all work well. Be sure to fish any grassy points or indentations. Once the sun rises the fishing is rather slow. Also try flipping matted hydrilla with a Zoom Ol' Monster worm or fishing ledges in the rivers with a Carolina rig. Most of the lake is clear, so your plastics need to be either watermelon seed or green pumpkin or some other clear water color.



November 26, 2010



LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 4.14 FEET, STAINED AND 60 DEGREES BY MARK COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE


Bass fishing is good and the largemouth are shallow in the main lake and in the back of the bays. Work main lake points, road beds, humps and flats near the main river channels with shallow running crank baits like the Gizz 4 in green back and chartreuse back and the Bandit 100 series. Look for flats with shad working the surface near the main river channels in the main lake from the Cedar Bluff bridge to the powerhouse lake. The upper Coosa river is also producing some good fish, look for the fish in the mouth of any ditch, channel or creek that cuts off of the main Coosa river channel. Double willow leaf blade spinner baits in chartreuse and white are producing some good fish also. Work these baits on 12 pound test Sufix Elite line with medium action crank bait rod. Spotted bass are being caught on the Coosa river channel ledges in 5 10 feet of water, Carolina rigs and crank baits are working well.



Striper fishing is fair. The white bass and smaller stripers are working the shad on the surface early in the flats of the main lake in the morning and late in the evening. When you see these fish working the surface any small spinner like a yellow Rooster Tail or Mepp’s spinner will catch these active fish. A 3 inch Sassy Shad in white on a 1/4 ounce jig head will also work well. Fish these on Light spinning tackle with 6lb test line for some great fun.



Catfish are biting all over the lake. Jug fishing in the flats of the main lake is a sure way to load the boats with some nice fish. Use live bream, cut bait, whole crappie heads or any kind of stink bait. Fishing the main Coosa river channel with cut bait, right below the Cedar Bluff bridge is producing some big Blue Cats. The docks at JR's Marina are producing some 30 50 pound blues on Crappie heads.





Ask for a sample of the 50 GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama. For more info contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com


November 26, 2010



LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 68 DEGREES



Bass fishing is good and the fish have moved into shallow water all over the lake. Look for any structure around the shoreline, rocks, docks or wood. Fish using small crank baits or spinnerbait’s around these areas. When you come by the dock poles have your bait hit the pole and stop your bait for a second or two before reeling any further. Look for the pockets off the main lake and creeks that are holding shad. These are the areas you want to concentrate on fishing. The back of Richland Creek and all the wood sea walls can produce a big bass on a white buzz bait or a pearl Super Fluke. Try the Zoom green pumpkin super trick worm but be sure to use a larger 3/0 Mustad worm hook and this is a large bait. This larger worm can be easily skipped under the docks also. Add a glass rattle in the baits also.



November 26, 2010



LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 5.2 FEET, 66 DEGREES AND STAINED



Bass fishing is fair and top water baits continue to produce a few bites on most mornings and during low light conditions. Buzz baits op to ½ ounce in black, chartreuse or white have been producing well. Other lures like Pop R’s, Chug Bug’s, and Torpedo’s have also enticed a few bites. Most active fish are now located in coves and creeks where they’ve followed large numbers of shad. For the last few days, soft plastics and jigs have been the most successful baits, with crank baits and spinner baits catching a few fish. Try a Zoom U Tale worm in green pumpkin, red bug, or June bug, with a 1/8 ounce weight rigged Texas style on 12 to 15 pound line. Cast these baits right on bank or sea wall and slowly retrieve it a short distance before reeling in and casting again. A 3/8 ounce jig with a Zoom Super Chunk will work too. Fish the stumps, blow downs, brush, and docks. Later in the day use a short leader Carolina rig. Crank baits like Shad Raps, Thunder Shads, and Bandits can catch fish also. Fish a spinner bait especially around wood cover and during early morning. Rip rap along the Little River channel continues to yield a few fish, mainly during power generation. Various crank baits will produce a few bites when the fish are active.




November 26, 2010



JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 2.3 FEET, SLIGHT STAIN AND 64 DEGREES



Bass fishing is good. Quality size bass have moved into the pockets following the movement of bait fish. Focus more of your fishing in the pockets rather than the main lake. Long deep pockets may be most productive. We have been through a full moon phase and the bite after dark has been good, particularly for larger bass. A green jig/craw combo is ideal for targeting larger fish. Probe docks, brush, and other structure as you work the pockets. Texas rigged Finesse worms are also good for a bite and crankbaits should certainly be tried. A Bandit 200 and a #7 Shad Rap are good choices. Spinner baits and a small shad crank bait are good choices early and late. Use a white buzz bait on sea walls around shallow cover. Work your crank through wood, rocks, and around the docks. Always take the opportunity to work the wood cover and docks more thoroughly with your plastic and jig. Fish the shaky rig for all around plastic fishing, but Texas rigged baits are preferable for working brushy cover. Finesse worms and crawfish patterns have been working on shallower rock, dock, and wood structure. Trick worms in watermelon seed will work on the shaky head. Throw the plastic baits and jigs into the wood cover and let it soak a while before working it up and out through the tree limbs. Shad are primary forage for good numbers of schooling bass. Look for seasonal congregations of bait in the middle of deep pockets. Target the feeding bass with a crank bait and vertical presentations such as a spoon or plastic on a drop shot rig.



Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting a FREE! HDS “Sonar Seminar” at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The “BASICS of HDS” seminar is on December 4, 2010 at 1pm. All seminars are subject to change without notice.



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. The next seminar date is December 18, 2010 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 2010, 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.