Lake level: Above full pool
Temperature: 50s
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained
BASS: Bass fishing is good. The bass are moving to the bedding areas and currently there are lot of fish in less than 30 feet of water. The most consistent bait recently has been a worm fished either on a quarter ounce shakey head or on a Neko rig with a three sixteenths nail in the head.
The key target for the worm has been docks with 20 feet of water in front of them located in the first part of the creeks. Watch for these fish to both move father back in the creeks and be farther back on the docks. Another key is to fish the worm very slowly and expect the bite to be very subtle, often just feeling heavy.
Secondary points in the creeks have also been a good place to target. There are bass scattered in the pockets that can be caught on a three eight’s Spot Choker with a two eighth Keitech in either Electric Shad or Threadfin Shad colors. Again, work this bait very slowly and expect a light bite.
The stained water in the backs of the creeks and up the river has been producing some fish on a white spinnerbait and as the water warms little more look for this pattern to pick up more.
The fish are going to be moving up even more over the next couple of weeks so keep moving with them. Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by Phil Johnson; pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers are in the transition stage as some are mid lake and others are moving up the rivers. The birds are hovering over the loons and that’s a good place to start.
The baits of choice are currently shiners and small herring. Flat lines and planer boards are producing some healthy fish and with water temperatures hovering in the mid 50s. After (a recent) cold front we will see an improvement in the bite. Trolling the mini Mac on large planners with the trolling motors at 1-1.5 mph also could put an extra fish in the boat.
Using your electronics, locate the shallow points and let your mini Mac behind the boards at the deepest distance to the bottom to avoid hanging up on structures.
Always have your favorite top water ready. The fish are still unpredictable when they come up. Remember to wear your life jacket.
Report by: Buck Cannon, 404 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good. Large fish are in small groups roaming in open water.
Try casting a 1/24 jig and letting it fall right in front of them. Try not to go below the target fish. The ATX lure d2d is working well. Large groups of crappie can be found under docks. Recently we found large groups of crappie full of eggs in 3 to 5 feet of water, but most of the fish were under 11 inches.
For your best fishing experience consider using the following equipment: a one piece ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel paired with 4 or 6 pound test K9 line with an ATX lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts, a Garmin Live Scope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530 6493
