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

July 19, 2012

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 7.39 FEET, THE CREEKS AND MAIN LAKE ARE CLEAR & 85 DEGREES.

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jim Mathley, Jimbo's Lake Lanier Service. 770 542 7764

Spotted bass fishing on Lake Lanier this past week has remained good. The rains and the resultant cooling of the water, albeit slight, has brought back a top water bite on some days. Smaller top water baits such as the Spook Jr. and smaller size Gunfish have seemed to do the trick. The majority of the active spotted bass can still be found relating to the summer brush in 20-30 feet of water on points and humps, both on the main lake and in major creek mouths on most days. Some fish are moving out even deeper on calm sunny days. Look in 30 feet and deeper off the end of points and humps for these fish and target them with a drop shot or jig. Look specifically for a ledge or a drop consisting of 2 or 3 feet or more to hold fish. These fish will not necessarily be around cover. Steeper rock points along with islands and humps have continued to produce well over the past week. There are also fish out over the timber in deeper water. You can see them schooling over these areas when they push bait to the surface and they can be seen clearly on your Lowrance electronics. Those can be tough fish to catch! If you are within a cast length, fire a smaller top water plug or a Fish Head Spin in their direction. You will hook up at a ratio of about 1 in 5 with a good cast. In lieu of a predominant top water bite, we have been doing well on a Sworming Hornet Dude in a 1/2 ounce size, a Fish Head Spin in 3/8 or 1/2 ounce size, a 3/8 ounce jig and a drop shot rig. Fish the Dude over and around brush on cloudy days, and then opt for the Fish Head Spin on sunny days. Count the baits down to the level you see the fish holding on your Lowrance electronics. For our drop shot rigs, we are using a Wackem Hand Poured worms in LJ's Passion and LJ's Obsession color as well as a few different minnow imitations. The jig bite also continues to produce well. Fish a 3/8 ounce Sworming Hornet or Davis jig with a twin tail trailer in and around the brush for some quality bites. A Green Pumpkin Wackem worm on a Davis Shaky head has also worked well at times. We dye the tails in JJ's Magic chartreuse. Also, we have found the spotted bass schooling on some mornings and focusing on smaller bait fish. Downsize your presentations to catch these fish with offerings such as a small popper or walking bait or a small swim bait. Also, the Dude or the Fish Head Spin thrown into these surfacing fish can produce strikes. Call if you would like to book a trip. Drop a spot tail minnow into a brush pile and turn fishing into catching.

This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Service, 404 561 2564. www.bigfishon.com

Striper fishing is very good. The summer time pattern is here. The key change this week is the mid day and afternoon bite. You can sleep in and hit the water around noon when the fish are active and loaded up in the creek and river channels. There are fish in every river and creek channel from Browns Bridge to the Dam. Tolling lead core line back 7 to 8 colors has been the most productive and easiest to use technique. Tip your lead core with 40 feet of 20 pound fluorocarbon line and a 1 ounce Captain Mack's buck tail jig with a 4 inch shad body in white or chartreuse. The color has not made much difference. Downriggers will also work and will allow you to pull below 30 feet and reach those deep fish in the river channel. If you find a school of 10 or more fish you can stop and fish herring on down rods at the appropriate depth. If you can stay on the fish they will eat. Shoal Creek, Six Mile Creek intersection with the river channel and Flowery Branch are all good places to start.

July 19, 2012

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 6.33 FEET, STAINED & 91 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL

Bass fishing has been poor. The bites we were getting offshore have scattered a little bit with the higher water, cooler temperatures, and recent rain. The top water bite in the early morning is good right now. Use top water walking baits such as Heddon Spook or Lucky Craft Sammy in a shad pattern around lay downs and brush piles lake wide. Once the sun is above the trees move out deeper on the humps and road beds using Carolina rigs and shaky head worms in green pumpkin. Fish are not relating as deep on offshore structure so look in depths from ten to fifteen deep.

Hybrid and striper fishing is good. It is time to begin focusing on humps and road beds down lake in depths from twelve to twenty feet deep. You will spend more time looking at your depth finder than actually fishing. The other pattern is trolling Norman deep little N in a shad pattern. Troll bait along contour lines. Throughout the day also pay attention for schooling fish as well. Look in areas around the mouth of Wehadkee creek first thing in the morning. Large groups of schooling fish are coming up in these areas. Use ¼ ounce chrome Rattle Traps with a steady retrieve amongst schooling fish.

Crappie fishing has been fair. Crappie have moved out to standing timber, but with recreational activity positioning your boat either with down lined minnows or trolling can be difficult. For catching Crappie the best fishing has been at night below floating lights around bridges. Good numbers are coming on down lined minnows beneath lights ten to twelve feet below. It takes a little time for bait to group around lights and the fish will be soon to follow.

July 19, 2012

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DWON 3.3 FEET, CLEAR AND 88 DEGREES

Fishing is fair. The pattern has not changed much at all with fish suspended and are nearly impossible to locate without good down/side imaging capabilities. One thing that is going on is the change in the numerous afternoon showers. The showers are bringing fish to the surface for a short time after they rain themselves out. We are catching line sides and bass alike on small swim baits and some top water. Most fish are found between redtop and Bartow carver. Like last wee the larger fish were and still are, much harder to come by and we have been catch several fish in the 10 to 14 inch range. Most fish are around 18-20 ft deep. The dissolved o2 level is pretty bad right now and the fish are sluggish. Small baits like the bio minnow or shaky squirrel from big bite have been my bait of choice. With some of the rain we are expected to get the week we might see a short run of top water if we get the rain. Hang in there fall will be here before you know it.

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

Line side fishing is good. The bite has slowed down a little compare to last weeks, but over all is still pretty good. The best bite right now is in eye site of the dam. Most anglers are putting in at Red Top and not even starting the big motor. The top water bite is probably the most popular bite going and popping corks are working best. The fish are busting most morning from the bridge at Red Top to the dam. Also there has been some top water action in the Allatoona Creek Arm near Harbor Town. The down line bite remains strong but bait is dying quick. You need to carry plenty of bait with you and change them out every five minutes. Thread fin shad are working best on my boats fished 20 to 30 feet deep out over the river channel and the mouth of the creeks. There are a lot people doing really well with shiners. Shiners will live longer on a hook than a shad from now until the end of September but shad are still king when it comes to live bait fishing. Not really much to report from the north end of the lake. All of our boats are fishing south be for the next 4 weeks.

July 19, 2012

LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 10.7 FEET, STAINED & 85 DEGREES

Bass fishing is slow. The small #4 and #5 Shad Raps are catching some small spotted bass and largemouth bass in the smaller cuts and coves. Fish both the balsa wood and RS model Shad early in the morning and then again late in the day. The Shad color seems to be working the best with the clear green water. After the sun comes up add a nail weight into a green trick worm and fish around any of the docks that are closest to any deep water. Also try this same bait with a green finesse worm rigged Texas style. A lot of anglers are using the Carolina rigs in deep water during the late morning until afternoon on the drop offs and channel ledges. Submerged structure in 18 to 25 feet of water seems to be the key. Summer is the time for downsizing. This will include your line, baits and the action of your rods.

July 19, 2012

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 11.2 FEET, 87 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is slow to fair. Early in the mornings, head up into the rivers and bigger creeks. Remember downsizing will be the key during the hot summer months. Small Storm Finesse worms on a drop shot rig and light Carolina rigs along the channel ledges are a sure bet on getting a strike. Number 5 Jointed Shad Raps are working along the banks from day break until mid morning. Cast to the shallow water and use a slow retrieve. For the most part, anglers are relying on trick worms, U tail worms and Stanley dark small jigs to catch the majority of the bass. Most of the bass are small. Fish deep water structure during the heat and fish slow and if all else fails, drag out the Carolina rigged pumpkinseed Zoom 4 and 6 inch lizard. Strikes will be nothing more than added weight. Line movement from side to side may also indicate a strike.

July 19, 2012

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.2 FEET, CLEAR & 87 DEGREES

Bass fishing is slow but good fish can still be caught with a little patience. Use a small Shakey head and a Morning Dawn worm on light line around any wood you can find. Also try the old Texas style so the bullet weight can move up and down the line freely. The heavier the cover you can find the better. Way up in the Savannah River and in Beaverdam Creek flip or pitch the small Stanley dark jig into the cover and watch the line as it falls. The lighter the weight you can use, the better the results will be. Spotted bass along with a few largemouth’s are holding tight to cover during the day. Down below the 72 Bridge, use a Number 5 Shad Rap and Rapala DT6 to crank the waters just off the rocky points. Bass are using these areas to stage and keep in cooler water. Try using long casts and slow retrieves. This is all it will take to trigger a strike. Early in the mornings and then again from around dusk until right after dark are the best times for using the crank baits. Carolina and Texas rigs that are fished very slowly along the bottom are the best choice during the mid day periods.

July 19, 2012

LAKE SEMINOLE IS .6 FEET, CLEAR & 89 DEGREES BY MATT BATY

Bass fishing is fair. There is a good top water bite in the early morning daylight hours on grass lines that are near the river channel. Fish a Stanford Turbo Shad in Summer Color. The Turbo Shad is double prop bait that resembles an injured shad on the surface of the water. After the morning bite is over with, you can fish the same areas with a Texas-Rigged 6" Big Bite Baits Kreit Tail Worm in Tilapia color. Use a 5/16 ounce tungsten sinker, 16 lb. Sunline FC Sniper Fluorocarbon, and a 4/0 Gamakatsu Offset-shank worm hook. This technique is somewhat slow, but can generate some more strikes throughout the day. If cloudy, rainy weather is present, you can pretty much stick with top water all day on grass lines near deeper water. A buzz bait is your best bet to cover a lot of water and find more aggressive fish.

July 19, 2012

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 1.98 FEET, 86 DEGREES & STAINED

Bass fishing is fair and the Carolina rig and main lake ledges are best. The fish have moved out to the river channel ledges or to deep docks. Crank baits are slow lake wide. Almost all the fish are taking plastics but try a white buzz bait any time of the day. Jigs are also fair up the rivers in all brown. Plastic or pork trailer will work and match the trailers to the bait. 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.

July 19, 2012

LAKE WEISS IS AT 0.85 FEET BELOW FULL POOL AND CLEAR AND 82 DEGREES BY MARK COLLINS SERVICE

Bass fishing is good and they are stacking up on the creek and river channel ledges in 6-12 feet of water. A Carolina rigged Senko in green pumpkin or June bug and green pumpkin is working great. Stroking a 1/2 ounce jig on the ledges in Little River and the Chattooga River is catching some great Bass,1/2 ounce spinner baits and deep running crank baits are catching fish also. The top water bite has been good for the last month, early and late around sea walls and deeper banks. The upper Chattooga River above Cobia's bridge is loaded with Shad and the Spotted Bass are feeding on them heavy. Spinner baits and crank baits and a Carolina rigged Senko worm, fished on the edges of the river channel near the schools of Shad are producing some good Spotted Bass. Some bass are still being caught flipping docks with a jig or tube bait. With the rain the past week a lot of bass have moved shallow and to the banks, a lot are being caught off rip rap rocks

Striper fishing is good and they are starting to be caught at the Cave hole in Little River on live shad down lined about 8 feet and flat lined, they are also being caught in the Chattooga River. They are also being caught in the canal when they are generating power. Little Spring Creek is also producing some good Stripers on live shad.

Crappie fishing is fair and the crappie are on creek and river channel ledges in 12 to 16 feet of water on brush and stumps. Spider rigging with live minnows is the way to catch these deep crappie. A few crappie are still being caught shooting docks with jigs. Crappie are being caught under lights at night in 8 to 12 feet of water on the river channel in Little River and off of docks under lights at night.

July 19, 2012

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.99 FEET, 85 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED.

Bass fishing is slow but good fish can still be caught with a little patience. Flip or pitch the small dark jigs and a trick worm into any the cover and watch the line as it falls. The lighter ¼ ounce sinker will let the baits fall slower and you will get more bites. Bass are holding tight to cover during the day. Bass fishing has been fair on top water baits and buzz baits early. Then use the darker red colors in worms and jigs and shad crank baits are good. The bass are shallow early each morning on grass and grass points mid lake. Down lake the Number 5 Shad Rap and Rapala DT6 to crank the waters just off the rocky points. Bass are using these areas to stage and keep in cooler water. Try using long casts and slow retrieves. This is all it will take to trigger a strike. Just do not reel the baits fast mid day.

July 19, 2012

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL & 87 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is fair. The lake is full and 87 to 91 degrees. The main lake is clear, stained up the rivers. Start the day with a white or a white and chartreuse buzz bait. Fish it along the sea walls and rip-rap. This bite will only last the first hr. of daylight. After the sun gets up move up the lake to the rivers in the stained water and start working the deep banks with wood cover on them where the river channel runs close to the bank. Work this area with a Rapala DT6 or a DT10. The fish are tight to cover so work the bait in close to the timber. There are some fish on the south end of the lake off of the deep humps. Use your Lowrance to locate the fish on the humps and us a deep diving crank bait. Fish the crank bait from deep to shallow.

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

Line side fishing is fair. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools on the south end of the lake around the humps. When you see the schools drop a live thread fin down to them. There is some schooling in the late evenings. Have a thing popper on a popping cork if the school comes up.

Crappie fishing is good and the fish are starting to stage in the tree tops. Look for the fish in the tops of the trees at about 15 to 25 feet deep. Use you Lowrance to locate the fish in the trees and drop a minnow down to the fish. Sugar Creek Marina has a complete line of striper gear, crappie jigs and all the bass tackle you will need.

July 19, 2012

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 1.1 FEET, CLEAR & 87 DEGREES

Bass fishing is barely fair during the day and a little better after dark. The Carolina rig and main lake ledges are best. A Zoom pumpkin lizard is the best bait lake wide with a June Bug lizard a close second. The fish have moved out to the river channel ledges or to deep docks. Almost all the fish are taking plastics but try a gold buzz bait any time you come up on a dock. Jigs are also fair on the docks in all brown but use smaller baits seem to work best on the spots. Plastic or pork trailer will work and match the trailers to the bait. Soft plastics in the green pumpkin in a finesse worm and a Zoom Bush Hog will get strikes. Add some Lunker Sauce to the baits for extra strikes.

Our DVD, Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass are now on sale for only $25.00 including shipping. Send a check payable to Southern Fishing Schools Inc. to Southern Fishing Schools Inc to 106 Hickory Ridge Drive, Cumming Georgia. Please allow 14 days for delivery.

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. See the new Lowrance machines at www.lowrance.com. Lowrance Announces HDS Gen2. See them in action at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville this Saturday from noon until 5pm.

We have these BASS FISHING books for sale BASS FISHING LAKE LANIER, 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.

Copyright 2012, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. calls us to set up a school, Maps and Depth Finders or SONAR and Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass. Call for details.www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.