Lake level: Down 1.09 feet
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained
Temperature: 40s
Bass: Bass fishing is still tough but warm weather is on the way. Spots are “deep water” fish in cold weather and 40 feet is not uncommon. Look for the better fish on deep points, main lake humps, and ditches of the last deep water going up into coves.
Areas where there are brush piles and bait in about 25 to 40 feet of water are best. Try jigging with a small spoon or blade-style bait with a small profile and a slow flutter. The points in Shady Grove Park and main lake marker #7 have been holding spots all day. But be sure to get out to 30 feet on any location before looking for the fish. Many fish are dead on the bottom and a spoon or a Shakey Head dropped to them will get them up off the bottom.
Use a small Flex It and Silver Buddy Cicada type bait in the ¼ and 1/2 ounce sizes. Use white or silver color on sunny days and gold or solid white on a cloudy day.
On sunny days, some fish are being taken on deep rocky banks out of the wind on suspended jerk baits. Use Strom Suspend style baits in silver and blue or an orange and copper color. Also, use a Zoom finesse worm rigged on a 3/16 ounce round plain jig head. Use the green pumpkin and natural blue colors. Spots will get moving soon and look to any area that will warm the quickest. Pick sun-baked early morning pockets like the ones in the mouth of any down lake creek. Sand and rock areas out of the wind with stagnant water that has no wind blowing into it are the better areas.
In the back of Shoal Creek right across from the ramp are a set of points and banks that warm during the afternoon. After mid-day, get to areas like this one with warming water, Try a 1/8 ounce plain lead head and half of a live nightcrawler on a spinning reel and 8-pound test Sufix Elite line on points and deep double-wide docks in the middle of the creeks.
Report by: Phil Johnson – Pjohnson15@hotmail.com or 770-366-8845.
Crappie: Crappie fishing is good. The hot bite target zone is 12 to 15 feet deep. The crappie are getting fat. They are on the docks and when you find them they are loaded. The bite still is super soft. Keep your pole in your hands and feel for the slightest bump. Look under docks that are in 20 to 40 feet of water and have brush or structures. Remember, crappie love the shade so cast into the shadows of a dock. Try down lining crappie minnows with a sinker or set up a slip bobber. Use jigs for short casting, vertical jigging or dock shooting.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton – call to book a trip – 770-530-6493.