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The Southern Fishing Report

By Ken Sturdivant

Published Mar 18, 2005
(Updated Dec 26, 2006)

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“The Southern Fishing Report”

By Ken Sturdivant

106 Hickory Ridge

www.havefunfishing.com

770-889-2654

Cumming, Georgia 30040

March 17, 2005

LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE CREEKS ARE VERY STAINED TO MUDDY AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 51-54 DEGREES

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host ”BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Largemouth bass fishing is fair and the fish have started to move to the wood and docks around the lake. The up lake areas are very muddy but there are some fish in the backs of the creeks after bright spinner baits. Change the blades on your ½ ounce baits to all orange or all greens in both willow leaf or Colorado styles. If you have some bright skirts, add them too. Cast these baits ON the bank and pull them off into the water. Start out early bulging these baits and keep them where you can see the baits. After 5 casts, run the baits 3 feet deep and hold on. Large shallow running crank baits will work but be sure the baits have large bodies so the fish can find them when they chase them. We have some reports that live jumbo shiners on a float rig and a #1 Chaser bait hook under floats in the pockets up lake have been working on bass and some white bass. There may be a few stripers around so be sure you have fresh line. With the lake full, there is a lot of shore structure that can be worth fishing. Bass love cover and are moving to these areas getting ready to spawn. The water is still too cold for a spawn so next month, shallow baits will work all day.

Spotted bass are after Zoom u tail worms and spinner baits. Natural blue colors in soft baits are the ticket. Texas rig these baits and fish any dock or wood in the water. The 78 Luck Craft Pointer Minnow has been taking spots and stripers mid lake to the dam. The creeks are all stained and there is a lot of junk in the lake. Tennis balls, wood and lots of “unknown” items are floating all over the lake. The high winds today has moved a lot of this junk around so pay close attention as you move around anywhere on the lake. Pick some of the main lake reel markers and pull out an all white spinner bait, blades and all and make long casts to the markers Run the baits 4 feet deep and use a straight retrieve. Ten casts and then move, as many if the reefs may have feeding fish at any time of the day. All the creeks in the middle to the back are very muddy and I mean MUDDY! Pine needles, wood, and who knows what else is in the water so be prepared. This muddy water is not un fishable but be sure to use the brightest baits you own, including the spinner baits. In a week, this lake should bust wide open but fishing is good right now. If you really want to beat up the spots, use a 1/8 ounce or small lead head jig, six pound line and half a live night crawler on any set of docks within sight of the dam. Lots of small to medium spots are biting as well as a few largemouth mixed in. All the fish we have caught are biting the green pumpkin Zoom finesse worm and the same color in the Fat Albert grub. A little Jacks Juice also helps.

Striper fishing is about too get into full swing, day and night. Free lining, balloon rigs at 4 feet and up and planer boards are all working. The fish are still coming up shallow to feed early and late and if it is overcast it lasts all day, otherwise fish are from the surface to 15 to 25 feet deep mid day. Fishing is good in all the lower lake creeks. Mid lake from Browns Bridge to Gainesville in pockets and cuts through the islands in the evenings with both live bait and three arm umbrella jigs. Live bait and Bombers at night are also very good and just start casting to the rocks and sandy pockets. The fish are really blasting these Bombers and pink and trout patterns are working. Also pull some bait while casting baits to the banks. The best bet has been blue back herring.

Crappie fishing is good and the docks mid creeks down lake are the best areas. With the high dirty water in the creeks, we tried them for crappie with no results. Big Creek around the marina and the docks around Aqualand Marina were the areas we found a few fish. All the fish were small and still deep at 10 feet. Small minnows worked for a few better fish but it still cold water for these fish. Tubes on a 1/24 ounce jig worked and the jigs are red with a chartreuse tail.

Take a look at www.aquavu.com. You really need a camera. Copyright 2005, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 770-889-2654. We are offering four anglers our exclusive “On the Water Schools” for $100.00 per angler. Get four anglers together and call us to set up a 6 hour school “Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass”. See our web site, www.havefunfishing.com for more details or call us right away, 770-889-2654.

March 17, 2005

WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 5.9 FEET, STAINED & 57 DEGREES

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host ”BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass are coming up on main lake points and around rip rap. Look for them in 8 to 10 feet of water on gravel points and throw sassy shad, Rat-L-Traps, and crank baits. Large mouths and spots are also holding in blow downs and can be caught by slow rolling a spinner bait through the limbs of the blow down. Also, use the parrot DT10 Rapala crank bait on the shoreline late in the day. The key is to find coves or banks that are exposed to deep water and look for surface activity. If you do not see any activity, go to another area.

Line sides are under the sea gulls and they are working their way upriver. Use the same pattern for hybrids that you are using for largemouth-fish the shoreline of coves that are exposed to deep water. Best baits are sassy shad, Rat-L-Traps, and small crank baits.

Crappie are biting. They were moving into shallow water in the coves and along the banks, but they seem to be holding a little deeper right now. The pattern is to fish the mouths of creeks such as Dixie and Whitewater, and Beech. The cloudy weather has moved the crappie out from the banks. When the sunshine returns, watch for the crappie to move shallow again.

March 17, 2005

LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 3.65 FEET, 53 DEGREES AND STAINED BY MIKE BUCCA, TRITON MIKE’S SPOT COUNTRY GUIDE SERVICE 678-574-3106.

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host ”BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

This fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Mike Bucca, Triton Mike's Spot Country Guide Service www.tritonmike.com Lake Allatoona, Georgia email: bucca1@comcast.com.

Fishing is fair: Absolutely nothing has changed since last weeks report. The main lake is clear around the dam/red top area but still stained to muddy the further you go up the extremities. Stamp Creek is the only creek with halfway decent clear water. The water is still stained after this past week’s rains and with more rains in the forecast it looks like it will remain that way. Most of the fish I am catching are on Mini Me Spinnerbaits with upsized white willow leafs and also pitching Grass Stalker jigs in black and blue. Fish any shallow water flats with cover on them. Jerk baits like the Flashminnow 95 and Pointer 100 are doing good in the clearer water near the dam. If we can just get a decent warm spell to get the temperatures to rise by 3 or 4 degrees thing will definitely get interesting. Right now with all the high winds, rains and cold fronts things are fairly slow. Pre spawn is just around the corner and that is when our numbers and size should pick up on the shallow flats with the reaction baits i.e.: Mini Me's, D-7's and Lucky Craft Jerk baits.

In the next few months be looking for several articles authored by myself in the Inside Line magazine http://www.insideline.net/. A lot of these articles will have Allatoona/Lanier and Spotted Bass fishing in mind. I will be going in great detail in these how to articles and you might even find some familiar pictures of our home lake :). The Inside Line is very affordable and one of the best National publications on 100% bass fishing so don't miss out!

This striper and hybrid report fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 678-363-6260. eidson6260@comcast.net.

www.firstbiteguideservice.com Get $25.00 off a full day guide trip on Allatoona when you mention Ken Sturdivant. The bite is about to begin lets go fishing

Line sides fishing is fair and trolling seems to be best. Try trolling buck tails, Rat L Traps and umbrella rigs in the river channels and creek channels. Fishing is not at it's best right now but should turn on as soon as the water temperature hits 55 to 60 so get ready spring is all most here.

This crappie fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Stewart Wright of Big Bite Guide Service, 770-386-8687.

Crappie are biting at their best. You would have to hide the bait to keep them from jumping in the boat. Sunday was a good day. We ended up catching 78 on black and blue and chartreuse, black and chartreuse and John Deere green. Early morning bite would be best in Sweetwater and up to Cherokee Park. The crappie are right off the river channel staging to go into the pockets. If the weather would plane out and warmer weather would help move the fish in the pockets. Monday fish were biting early very good that you could not get three lines out before the fish were pulling on the lines. Early & late bites are the best.

March 17, 2005

LAKE HARTWELL IS FULL, 49 DEGREES BY RAPALA PRO STAFFER TIM WHITE

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host ”BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing is fair this week. The water is clear and 49 degrees. A cold front arrived toward the end of the week and this will keep the bass, once again, from moving up any further. The winds for the most part have subsided and we won't have to deal with strong winds this weekend. Last weekend, some small bass were found in the shallows back in the coves. Most of these bass were in the two pound class range and under. X-Raps and Number 5 Shad Raps seemed to be the key for a small limit, coupled with Carolina Rigged Lizards. Back off to deeper water this week and use a Shad colored DT-10 or a Citrus Colored Glass Fat Rap. Alternate these baits with Rattle Tubes and a Carolina Rig. The Bass will not lock on to the beds until the Dogwood trees get in full bloom. The water temperature will need to get a whole lot warmer before the larger bass move up. A special note: To all those I met last Saturday at the Fair Play Ramp, it was truly a pleasure and I look forward to future meetings. God Bless you all. Congratulations to both winners.

March 17, 2005

LAKE RUSSELL IS FULL, CLEAR & 49 DEGREES BY RAPALA PRO STAFFER TIM WHITE

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing was only fair this past week. High winds and cooler temperatures made fishing difficult for all those who ventured out. The wind has calmed down this week and the days will start to warm up by the beginning of the week. Main lake points and small cuts continue to be a favorite among anglers. Look in all the boats and you will find that Shad Raps appear to be tied on at least some of the rods. Number 5 and Number 7's seem to be the popular sized this week. Use DT6's and 10's along with the Shad Rap and find the Bass early. Sunny skies will drive the larger Bass to the bottom during the late afternoon. Carolina Rigs and Jigs will be needed then. Continue to look for warmer water, especially on the flats.

March 17, 2005

CLARK HILL IS FULL, STAINED & 50-52 DEGREES BY RAPALA PRO STAFFER TIM WHITE

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host ”BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Largemouth fishing died off this past week with the high winds and cooler temperatures. Some of the bass that were caught in the shallow water ditches moved out last week, but should return by the beginning of the week. The warmer days will drive the Bass back up into the shallows and the spawn will occur here one to two weeks earlier than Hartwell or Russell. Continue using the Shad Raps and DT baits for the bass in the ditches or ledges. X-Raps will be a great bait to use on the Bass up on the flats and in the shallower water. White spinnerbaits work well on the wind blown, rocky points; but I am going to replace mine with an olive green X-Rap. The Bass will be here only to feed on the Blue Back Herring and this bait matches them to a tee. Take along some plastics for the calmer sunnier days.

March 17, 2005

LAKE SEMINOLE IS FULL, STAINED & 59 DEGREES

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass are coming up on shallows and look for them in 8 to 10 feet of water on points and shallow grass. Use Rat-L-Traps, spinner baits and crank baits. Bass are also holding in blow downs up river and can be caught by slow rolling a spinner bait through the limbs of the blow down. Shad Raps on the shoreline will work late in the day. The key is to find coves or banks that are exposed to deep water and look for surface activity. If you do not see any activity, go to another area.

Crappie are biting. They are moving into shallow water in the coves and along the banks. The pattern is to fish the mouths of creeks. The sunny weather has moved the crappie to the banks.

March 17, 2005

LAKE GEORGE IS DOWN 2.5 FEET, 56 DEGREES & STAINED

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing is on the verge of exploding here we just need a stabile weather pattern for about a week along with some constant water levels and these fish will be bedding hard. Sunday was probably one of the better day's I've had lately as allot of bigger fish staged up in 8-10 feet of water snapping crank baits. I had started the day off fishing shallow but with the Corps pulling the lake down the fish had vacated. I picked up a Rapala DT-10 and started running the edge of some spawning area's and it didn't take long the hook up with a few nice fish in the 4 lb range. I ran the same pattern all the way to the Causeway before the wind got back into the 20 MPH range. We ended up with the best five going around 18 pounds and 10 keepers in all. I had figured this week would get things going but the fronts just keep pouring in on us holding allot of these fish back. Still some bedding action is starting on the south end, seen several good fish up fanning, but with the way the water has been up & down lately they were bedding a bit deeper. Several guys I know had been on a good flipping pattern up the hooch, but I think those fish are starting to move into the creeks. The lake appears to have stabilized around 188.2, but rains are expected over the next few days. Water temps are into the 60's in several back water areas, but the main lake is still a cool 55 or so. Visibility is running normal on the south end at 3-5 feet, but the North end still has some murky area's and is 1-2 feet on average. Going to have to see how this next system shakes things up before the weekend. The coming week is forecasted to be more stabile with high's in the mid 70's, if that holds true then look for a big push into the shallows to bed, especially from Barbour Creek south. The fish are poised for sure it's all up to Mother Nature. If the fronts keep rolling in look out for the spawning coves and pockets in 8 to 10 feet deep to be hot.

Hybrids are showing up in Columbus this week so things should get cranked up there next week for sure.

Crappie are pretty much committed it seems, so most of the creeks will be full of them. You can bet allot of coolers will be full of slabs this weekend. Crappie have been on fire as well, watched several guys trolling jigs in the back of the creeks load the cooler full.

March 17, 2005

LAKE WEISS IS DOWN 2 FEET, STAINED & 55 DEGREES

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing is good and the bass are moving to spawning areas on wood on shallow banks all over the lake. Use the Carolina rigged lizard in green pumpkin or red shad Culprit on the main lake points. On shallow docks in the creeks, pitch a Bomber model 7A in fire tiger right around the gang plank. Crank the bait three times and stop the lure as it passes under the docks for a fast strike. Pitch and flip gourd green Zoom u tail worm on a light weight on a Texas rig. On the wood, drop a green Zoom trick worm with no weight drop it around any docks. Work the Texas rigged Culprit red shad worm over and in the grass beds all over the lake. Cast right on the docks and work slowly. Up the rivers and creeks and use bream colored crank baits in the pockets. Around the bridges and docks, the #7 Shad Rap in the shad and black back is fair but get the baits as close to the docks as possible.

Crappie fishing is very good. The fish are on docks and wood all over the lake. The bigger docks are better as they have offer more shade for the bigger fish. Look all the way around each dock and work the backs close to the gang plank. Use live bait and slowly troll the backs of creeks over the stump rows. Fish the heavy brush around docks at depths of less than 5 feet.

March 17, 2005

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, STAINED AND 55-57 DEGREES BY AL BASSETT

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Lake Oconee is at full pool with a water temperature 55 to 57 degrees. With all the high winds most of the lake has become very muddy. Down the lake you still should be able to find some stained water.

Bass fishing is good. With the warming temperatures, the fish are beginning to move to shallow water in the backs of pockets and coves. With the bait fish being shallow the largemouth bass are following right behind. Try to find the wind blown pockets and fish small crank-baits or spinner-baits in these areas. Work the crank-bait using a stop and go motion. If using a spinner-bait use a slow roll pattern. A black/blue jig will also bring a few bites and these bites should be good sized fish.

Hybrid fishing is also fair. As the hybrids move up the lake you have to use your depth-finder to locate the fish. These fish are on the move and are not staying in one place very long. When you find the fish use small jigs or crank-baits.

Crappie fishing is poor. Thanks to our wonderful weather lately the fishing is still on one day and off the next. The rising water temperature should begin to produce a few more fish. Trolling will probably be your best way to catch a good number of crappie.

March 17, 2005

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 58 TO 62 DEGREES, MOSTLY STAINED. FROM LARRY KING GUIDE SERVICES. 478-986-7395. www.kingfishguideservices.com

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing is good as more fish continue to move shallow on most of the lake. Some fish are feeding along main lake banks while others have already begun moving into coves and spawning banks. Most any type cover has produced good results. These include primary and secondary points, seawalls, blow downs, docks, rocks, stumps, and grass. For the last few days, bass have been caught on just about any bait that can be named. But crank baits continue to be the most successful overall. Some good choices are Shad Rap, Shad Rap RS, Thunder Shad, Bandit 100 & 200, Bandit Flat Maxx, Norman Baby N, Manns Minus 4 and Rat L Traps. Successful colors have varied also, with fire tiger, hot mustard, silver-blue, and shad patterns among the good ones. The other more notable baits that have produced during the last few days are: spinner baits, jigs, tubes, lizards, and worms. Carolina rigs have worked well on hard bottom, slow tapering staging points (both primary and secondary). Texas rigs and jigs should be tried around cover requiring more precise presentations. Spinner baits have also produced fish around most any of the shallow cover.

Line sides should be showing up very soon near the headwaters of both rivers and Murder Creek. For artificial baits, Rat L Traps and Rooster Tails are the most consistent, with fish at times hitting other crank baits and Sassy Shads. Live or cut shad and shiners should also be tried. An occasional hybrid or white is being caught up one of the creeks by anglers trolling for crappie or bass anglers.

Crappie fishing is still good, with most success attributed to trolling a variety of Hal Flies and Triple Ripples. The best areas are in one of the numerous creeks or large coves. Depths have been mostly 4 to 8 feet deep, whether the fish are on or near the bottom, or suspended over deeper water. A few anglers are catching fish by anchoring near underwater brush and using minnows. Fishing shallow brush should be the ticket soon as crappie start spawning. Shooting docks with Hal Flies is picking up a little and will be good soon.

March 17, 2005

JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 3.2 FEET, HEAVY STAINE & 55 DEGREES

On Thursday night, April 7, 2005, we will host “ BASICS OF STRIPER FISHING” at The Dam Store at 7pm. Cost is only $15.00. Call The Dam Store at 770-932-2031 to register.

Meet Ken Sturdivant Saturday’s from noon till 6pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Bass fishing is fair. The water has warmed up and the bass are real active this week. The spotted bass are on the move as well and the largemouth are busy working on the beds. During this week, fast moving baits will get you more fish that the plastics. The number four and five Shad Raps in the crawdad colors are still the baits to use here this week. Anglers are working the flats near the dam and large bass are being brought in at the scales. Most of the bass caught are in three feet of water or less. Expect this pattern to remain the same and not to change over the weekend. Spinnerbaits are working some and the 1/4 and 3/8 oz. size seems to be the favorites. Any color as long as it has chartreuse in it will work.

Crappie fishing is great and locals can be found all during the week on the bank and out in their boats using everything from live minnows to trolling with Big Crappie Jigs by Blue Fox. These jigs will catch you the larger bass and the color seems to vary depending on the weather for that day.