Did you know that fishing is considered an excellent activity to help with mental health? So, when those winter blues are feeling heavy, it’s a sure sign that you need to get outside and go fishing. Find out more at “Mental Benefits of Fishing” on the Take Me Fishing website.

NEWS TO KNOW

  • Bass Trivia: What small public lake in Georgia produced the No. 2 and No. 6 biggest largemouth bass ever caught in the state? Find out at Georgia Outdoor Adventures. Note to Go with the trivia answer: The lake that is the subject of the trivia fact is currently drained for repairs and maintenance, with anticipated plans to have it re-open in Fall 2024.
  • No new Fishing Guide Book…yet! The Georgia Sport Fishing Regulations Guide issued in 2023 will continue to be the guiding document through July 2024. You can find the guide information online, in the Go Outdoors GA app, as a pdf you can print or in DNR Fisheries Region offices or Georgia Public Fishing Areas and at fishing license agent locations.

This week, we have fishing reports from North, Central and Southeast Georgia. Tell those winter blues to jump in a lake as you cast a line when you Go Fish Georgia!

UPCOMING EVENTS: FEB.-APR. 2024

NORTH GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of John Damer, Fisheries Biologist with the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts) 

RESERVOIR REPORT

David and Leon boated 29 crappie, and took 20 home. (Photo Credit: Jeff Albright)

Lake Allatoona Crappie Report #1: (This report courtesy of Jeff “CrappieMan” Albright, CrappieMan: Allatoona Lake Guide Fishing) — Want to thank David and Leon for fishing with me today! Decent morning boated 29 and took 20 good keepers home, took me a little while to find quality fish but we did, tried 3 different places!!!! We had 2 over 14″ 2 13-13 1/2 rest were 10-12 good eaters. Red Rooster Jigs got it done today.  Small fry, dagger were the ones working today! Water Temps 44-47, still trolling 2 1/32 Jigs on each pole 18-22″ apart. Trolling speeds today were .7-.9 mph. Some pics of baits were from yesterday, they were working again today!! Here are pics from today and yesterday … caught 26 yesterday with 16 keepers, thanks Randy for fishing with me!

Lake Allatoona Crappie Report #2: (This report courtesy of Red Rooster Custom Baits) — Air Temp: High: 64 – Low: 28; Wind: Up to 14 Mph; Lake Level: 830′ and rising; Water Temp: 47 – 50; Water Clarity: Mild to Heavy Stain – Heavy in some areas and clearing in others. Area Fished included North Lake (Little River Area), S Turns to Victoria, Stamp Creek…Major Creeks. Jigs Used included GoldCrush Dagger, CopperHead Dagger, Lectric Chicken Small Fry, Cajun Chicken Small Fry, Jive Turquee Orange Slab Dragon, Jive Turquee Chartreuse Slab Dragon, Copperhead Slab Dragon, Pappy’s Magic Kic’n Chic’n, Albright Special Kic’n Chic’n, Tre’s Gold Kic’n Chic’n. Technique Used: Trolling.

The crappie bite was outstanding the second week of February 2024! The weather, temperature and wind cooperated for a week of limits and some big crappie! There was a 2.31 lb black crappie caught and a 1.91 lb white crappie caught on Red Rooster Crappie Jigs this past week. Lots of solid 10″ – 12″ slabs were caught in the heavily stained Allatoona waters this week! The crappie can be found in major creeks suspended anywhere from 2′ to 14′ feet, so your best bet is to rig a couple of lines with 1/32 oz, 1/24 oz, and 1/16 oz. jig heads and troll at .7 – .9 mph. You should pick up fish on all depths! Now is the time to get out on the lake and catch crappie. If you wait until March or April, you have missed prime crappie catching time!

Lake Allatoona Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Matt Driver via www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Allatoona is down 9.1 feet, 50s. Bass fishing is good. February on Allatoona can sometimes be tough. Throughout the fall and winter, we have been catching good numbers of bass, but due to the heavy rains and super cold temperatures at the end of January it has slowed the bite quite a bit. During the last week of January, water temps went from the low 40s to the low 50s after the warm rains. Depending on how temperatures and rainfall are this month, we will see a more consistent bite. For the first part of February, we are still very much in a winter pattern. Bass are scattered out with quite a few fish out deep, with some nicer bass coming in the shallow to mid depth range. February tends to offer good crankbait, jerkbait and Alabama rig bites. Right now, stay on the main and secondary points. The backs of pockets have been very slow with very few bites. When the water clears up a little more, we will see the jig bite revitalize. The Picasso Little Spotty with a twin tail chunk will be the ticket. Rock with a fairly steep gradient mid lake is a good area to key in on. Most of the month of February, we will maintain the winter pattern, and toward the end of the month, we will start to see fish move into a transition and begin the journey to the spawning grounds by late March.

Measuring Michael Garrow’s monster striper.

Michael Garrow landed this 38″ striped bass on Lanier helping win their monthly tournament.

Lake Lanier Striper Report #1: (From Fisheries Biologist Hunter Roop) — The Lake Lanier Striped Bass Club held their monthly tournament this past weekend and most anglers found good success using a combination of downlines, freelines, and planar boards. Since herring were in short supply, anglers had to size up their tackle to accommodate gizzard shad and trout. Perhaps these larger, high-quality offerings were the key to success for many anglers, including Team Toon Time, which won the tournament with 67.75” total inches including 38” contributed exclusively by this monster striper. This is one of the best times of the year to catch large striped bass using a variety of techniques. This month, focus your efforts north of Brown’s Bridge and look for birds to help you locate large schools of bait that you can cast or troll through. Beginning next month, as the rivers warm up to 60 F, striped bass will move into the main rivers and creeks for their annual, unsuccessful spawning run. This can be one of the best times of the year to target large concentrations of striped bass as they migrate into flowing waters in large numbers.

Lake Lanier Striper Report #2: (This report courtesy of Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service 404-510-1778 via www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Lanier stripers are scattered around from Big Creek south to Sardis creek and that a lot of areas to cover so use your electronics to locate the bait and if you mark a couple of fish put out a down line and flat lines. The blue backs are the bait of choice. Trout is another bait that has been effective trolling at .05 mph. Planer boards are also used to get your spread out to cover more areas. Water temperature is 48 to 49 degrees so make sure you wear your life jackets, if you fall overboard, it might be too late.

Nice 29″ striped bass from Lanier for Jack Becker. (Photo Credit: Jack Becker)

Lake Lanier Striper Report #3: (This report courtesy of Jack Becker, aka Georgia Waterdog)– I got a late start one afternoon this week and launched at Van Pugh North boat ramp. I was surprised the water temperature was 50.9. I fished up north earlier in the week and the water was 47 degrees. I headed towards Aqualand Marina when I saw 7 loons in a small cove. I was hoping to see bait on my Helix 8 and was surprised when I didn’t find a single bait ball. Next to this cove was a longer cove with a 45’ channel running next to a point on one side at the mouth of the cove.  I put out a down line 2 planner boards & a free line with medium trout & gizzard shad. On my first pass I caught a nice 29” Striper on the planner board closest to the shallow point. It had a short 10’ leader and a gizzard shad for bait. I saw my bait come up to the top of the water and a big swirl before the planner board went under. Jack Becker aka Ga Waterdog.

Lake Lanier Stripers on the Fly: (This report courtesy of Tad Murdoch from Georgia Wild Trout) — For those wanting to spend some time on the lake hunting striper, the bite on the fly has been tough, though I expect these conditions to change in coming weeks. The recent rains have kept water temps up and crushed our typical midwinter fly bite for the time being, and the forecast shows more of the same ahead. Until then, there will be the occasional striper roaming shallow on points but not enough of them to pattern, and the majority of the fish will be focused on the herring in 45’-60’. Keep an eye on things to happen mid to upper lake. Taylor, Johnson, and Yellow Creek on the Chestatee Side along with Ada, Little River, Wahoo, and Gainesville Creek are all holding a good amount of striper on the Hooch side.

Lake Lanier Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Phil Johnson, 770-366-8845 via www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Lanier is down .68 feet, 40s. Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake level is currently less than one foot below full pool with the water temperature ranging from forty-six to forty nine degrees. Bass fishing has been great on some days with strong numbers and size to a grind on other days. The bass are scattered from sixty feet to two feet, which is typical for this time of year as they begin their transition up for the spring. There are still fish deep in the ditches and over trees that can be caught on a Spot Choker underspin paired with a three inch or smaller swim bait. When fishing the ditches work this bait extremely slow and expect the bite to either be a light tick or simply feel heavy. Don’t overdo the hook set as this will just snatch the bait away from them. There are shallower fish to be caught on secondary rock points and red clay points located in the sun. Work these areas with either a quarter ounce Spotchoker or a green pumpkin trick worm on a three sixteenths shakey head. The presentation for both baits should also be slow. The fish are still sluggish so whatever bait you use needs to be moved very easily. The bass are beginning to show up on the docks located in the twenty-foot range close to the creek channels. A worm or a jig will draw these strikes with the fish locating in the shady area of the dock. Watch for more migration to the less than twenty-five-foot range as the days get longer and the air temperature is warm. It won’t be long before spawning season so they are beginning their trip to the shallower water. The days are getting better, and they are biting so Go Catch “Em!

Lake Lanier Crappie Report: (This report courtesy of Captain Josh Thornton, 770-530-6493 via www.southernfishing.com) — The northern end of the lake is heavily stained to muddy. The water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40s. Crappie are suspended 5-15 feet deep on open water brush and docks. Look for creeks or coves near a main channel for roaming fish. Try using minnows on a slip bobber or a small profile jig. This week I have used several colors yellow and brown, green and black and clear with sparkles have all produced good fish. The gear I recommend for crappie fishing is Acc crappie stix 1 piece rod and reel with a 6-pound test K9 line, along with Garmin Live Scope and Power Pole.

Lake Weiss Multi-Species Report: (This report courtesy of Mark Collins Guide Service 256-996-9035 via www.southernfishing.com) — Weiss Lake is 3 feet 15 inches below full pool and muddy to stained 47-48 degrees. Bass fishing is fair, and they are still on a winter pattern on the river and creek channel ledges. Crappie fishing is fair, and they are showing up suspended in the river and creek channels 8 to 20 feet deep. Long line trolling with Jiffy jigs is working well and a float and fly is producing. Striper fishing is poor. Catfish are biting well in the bays and creeks in 8 to 15 feet of water, cut bait is working best.

West Point Lake Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — West Point Lake is down 6.3 feet, 50s. Bass fishing is fair. Surface temperatures seem to have stabilized and look for a warmup next week with the weather man is correct. Look for mostly mid to upper 40’s with a few 50’s if the sun is out. A few largemouth and nice spots moved up this week on shallow points. Use the Little John crank baits, crawfish colored Rapala Shad Raps or jigs fished around cover. The sizes will depend on a warming trend. Pick the northwest coves and points for the warmer water. The Lowrance machines has a feature called Heat Map that can overlay on the charts that can display water temperatures all day as angler fish. A huge benefit with changing water temperatures. The smaller spotted bass with a few surprise largemouth are biting on the deeper wintertime holes. Get out the Flex It jigging spoon or a drop shot. The usual places like old road beds, humps and ledges near the mouths of the major creek are holding fish. Lake levels seem to have stabilized over the last few days.

Lake Hartwell Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com) — Lake Hartwell is down one foot, 50s. Bass fishing is fair. Have the drop shot and the spoons ready and scan an area with the Lowrance Side Scan technology to find the bait schools. Now also run the use Lucky Craft Pointers in chartreuse shad. The fish are really roaming a lot right. The bait is moving creating this roaming activity. Long points, humps and deeper channel swings are holding fish, and last week we actually caught all those fish schooling on bait over 40 feet of water. Warm weather will make it way in soon and this will start a movement to the points and coves soon. This week has some fish up but another cold front is roaming this way. When the sun pops out and gets bright use the 3/8- or 1/2-ounce Net Boy Baits Flipping Jig with a Zoom Pro Chunk on mid-lake and south docks. That jig combo is always how to the better fish. Let the water color dictate what color to use.

While sampling for walleye on the Tugaloo, we also found a few rainbow trout.

Sampling for walleye on the Tugaloo River.

Sampling for walleye yielded a few good size males in the area.

RIVER REPORT

Tugaloo River Walleye Report: (From Fisheries Biologist Kyle Rempe) — Our sampling crew went scouting for walleye recently on the Tugaloo River just south of Yonah Dam (Walkers Creek Boat Ramp). Although it is still a bit early for their annual spawning run upriver, we managed to net some good size (~3 lb) males already hanging out in the area. Additionally, a few curious Rainbow Trout made their way into our boat electrofishing survey during our search. Water temperatures were only around 46°F, so expect to see Walleye activity really pick up towards the end of the month once those numbers shift upward a few more degrees toward 50°F.

SMALL LAKE REPORT

Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area Report: (From Rocky PFA Manager Dennis Shiley) — East and West Antioch Lakes are still in the winter pattern at Rocky Mountain Public Fishing Area. Bass and Crappie are roaming in open water and move up on warm sunny afternoons as the shad schools move up. As with all lakes it is just a good idea to follow the birds this time of year to get started. Most often there are a few active pods of bass throughout both lakes that can be identified by the birds. Bass can be caught on small swimbaits and under spins. On the colder days keep a spoon handy to go under the schools of shad. The Crappie are schooled and just move around in open water this time of year, soon they will make their move to the bank but for now try finding the schools with your electronics. If you are fishing from shore, try the deeper banks that the Crappie will be moving back and forth around. The West Antioch Beach point is a great starting place for this. Water temperature is running 49-51 degrees.

TROUT REPORT

Calling for the bucket brigade for a trout stocking on Feb. 21.

Calling The Bucket Brigade – DH Stocking Help: (From Trout Stocking Coordinator John Lee Thomson) — Have you ever wanted to help with trout stocking? Well, the Wildlife Resource Division will provide a great opportunity on Wed., February 21. The trout stocking truck will meet volunteers at Whitewater Park at 10 am. If you would like to participate, please sign up on the Go Outdoors Georgia website. Please bring a clean 5-gallon bucket and waders. The wisest participants bring a rod to take advantage of the fruits of their labor after the stocking is complete. Remember, this is a delayed harvest area, which means artificial lures/flies with a single hook only and everyone must practice catch and release.  We appreciate your help with this effort and Go Trout Fish Georgia.

Chattahoochee and Toccoa River Tailwaters Report: (This report courtesy of Tad Murdoch from Georgia Wild Trout) — The fishing in the tailwaters was productive the last few weeks of January and should stay consistent into February. The lack of anglers below the dam on the Toccoa River left a few more fish for the anglers willing to brave the cold and rain when the river level permitted wading. The fishing below Lanier on the Chattahoochee River has been similar in the afternoons once the dam finishes generating. The spawn has just about wrapped up but many of the fish should hang around the areas above highway 20 and recoup some energy for another couple weeks into February, before retreating back to their winter haunts. Some of these trout have been more optimistic about what’s on the menu following the spawn in an attempt to recover. These are the ideal conditions to see trophy size trout expose themselves and succumb to a well-presented fly. Our latest article on fly fishing streamers goes into more detail on the subject. Small is still the ticket for numbers and both species throughout the rivers. Midge imitations in the size 20 range are your best chance to get bit. The dry fly and emergers bite has become a bit more temperamental. Either less bugs are hatching due to the colder temps, or the amount of generation is throwing off their groove. I still see the occasional trout rising but the consistency is lacking compared to what will come in the weeks ahead where consistent mid-morning hatches should become the norm.

Trout Streams Report: (This report courtesy of Georgia Wild Trout) — February usually brings the slowest trout fishing of the year. This year hasn’t been much different but there are a few areas still fishing well throughout North Georgia. The wet weather we received in late January caused the wild fish in small streams to stray from their winter refuges. Stocked fish in smaller water are much more willing to eat if you can find them. Many stocked streams have not been replenished in some time so finding the right water is the key to success. The streams that are stocked more often; Coopers Creek, Wildcat Creek, Dicks Creek, Tallulah River, Rock Creek, and the Toccoa River have some trout holding over, but I would anticipate that these trout won’t make it to the end of the month. The trout in the Georgia Delayed Harvest sections have finally spread out relieving the pressure from the more popular holes. . There are still some fish to be found but finesse is everything now. The warmer rains from this week should help pick up the bite in coming weeks on the smaller streams but will likely make the larger waters, such as the Toccoa River, too dangerous to wade. The small waters are better opportunities for beginner fly fishing. Opportunities for fishing Georgia’s State Parks are at their best in February and March, especially when Fly Fishing with Kids.

Loading large woody debris in Tennessee headwater brook trout streams.

Wood is GOOD: (This report courtesy Jeff “Dredger” Durniak at Unicoi Outfitters) — If you’re a Georgia mountain trout or trout angler, then you know that “wood is good!” And fallen trees indeed create “a beautiful mess” for resident specks, browns, and bows. Here’s a nice article and wonderful six-minute video describing large woody debris loading in Tennessee headwater brook trout streams. Similar projects have been ongoing for years in Georgia via cooperative efforts among the US Forest Service, the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, and Georgia Trout Unlimited volunteers. We appreciate those wood-loading efforts and hope they continue in the future. Wood is good! That’s the bottom line for our headwater trout streams. Timberrrr!!! Want to learn more about wood loading in trout streams? Want to be a part of those efforts? Then join a local Trout Unlimited chapter. You can find the list of Georgia chapters HERE. Check out Unicoi Outfitters full report HERE for a ton more info delivered every week.

Big Creek Article: (This report courtesy of Jimmy Jacobs from On the Fly South) — Click HERE to read an article from On the Fly South about fishing one of Georgia’s lesser known trout streams, Big Creek in Fannin County.

Parting Trout Note: Want to do more to support trout fishing in Georgia?  Consider upgrading to a Trout Unlimited license plate this year. Aside from being a great looking tag, each purchase or renewal of a Trout Unlimited license plate directly supports Georgia’s trout conservation and management programs. Hatcheries and wild trout efforts both benefit from your purchase of a trout tag.

CENTRAL GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Steve Schleiger, Region Supervisor and fisheries biologist with Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

RESERVOIR FISHING REPORTS BELOW COURTESY OF SOUTHERN FISHING WITH KEN STURDIVANT.

LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2 FEET, 50’S

Bass fishing is fair.  The fish are starting to bunch up with the baitfish and are heavily feeding a couple of times throughout the day.  Spoons and drop shot rigs at 15 to 25 feet of water can work.  Find the bait schools with the Lowrance Structure Scan technology and scan 100 feet each way.  The bass will be close by.  Pick the northwest coves and points for the warmer water.  The Lowrance machines have a feature called Heat Map that can overlay on the charts that can display water temperatures all day as angler fish.  This is a huge benefit with changing water temperatures.  Warm weather will make its way in soon and this will start a movement of fish to the points and coves.  This week has some fish up shallow, but another cold front is heading this way.  Should it get cold, expect the fish to hang around the deeper water especially in areas with timber and bait.

CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 50’S

Fishing in ditches in the reservoir can be productive this time of year.  A good ditch does not have to be very long.  Some only run about 100 feet in length.  A ditch also does not have to be either narrow or wide to be good.  But the second key to a good ditch is that it drops into water at least 50 feet deep.  Standing timber in the ditch or at the end of it helps as do brush piles in the ditch.  Warm weather will make its way in soon and this will start a movement of fish to the points and coves.  This week has some fish up shallow.  Try and switch from a wide wobbling crankbait to one that has tight wiggle in colder water, slow down but not a whole lot.  Bass will bite jigs in cold water and dragging something like a jig can take a big fish.  However, anglers using this approach often cover too little water.  By fishing faster with a crankbait or some other lure anglers stand a better chance of running the baits in front of more bass that are in the mood to bite.  Eighty percent of the bass may be out deeper and well off the bank.  So, try covering water in that 6 to 8-foot range for the better-quality bites.  Only a few bass might show up, but they will usually be good ones.

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL 50’S

Bass fishing is fair.  The fish are after the drop shot worm with a Zoom Meat Head or the Zoom Z drop worm.  Fish are in the ditches in the pockets in 30 to 40 feet of water.  If timber is close by this is a plus.  In areas without timber use a jigging spoon by Flex It in white with a blue side.  In the pockets or creek with a ditch watch the Lowrance CHIRP HIGH sonar and start fishing.  A Blade Runner and the Alabama Rig will be working if it gets colder this month.  A good ditch does not have to be very long.  Some only run about 100 feet in length.  A ditch also does not have to be either narrow or wide to be good.  But the second key to a good ditch is that it drops into water at least 50 feet deep.  Standing timber in the ditch or at the end of it helps as do brush piles in the ditch.

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.5 FEET, 50’S

Bass fishing is fair.  Stanley jigs in dark colors will draw bites in cold water.  Pick the northwest coves and points for the warmer water.  The Lowrance machines have a feature called Heat Map that can overlay on the charts that can display water temperatures all day as angler fish. This is a huge benefit with changing water temperatures.  Also have a jerk bait ready and the Ito Vision 110 by MegaBass is the one lure anglers can use all day.  One other bait that has put a few needed keepers in the boat is a drop shot rig.  Use this with the Wackem Crazy Baits Big Sissy green pumpkin worm.  This has been productive down the lake near the dam.  Continue to fish slowly with the jig really soaking the bait around cover for long periods of time.  Dipping the soft lures with the JJ’s Magic will help increase bites.  On the jerk bait bite increase the length of the pause between jerks on extremely cold days.  Then speed up on warm, sunny days.  Also, begin to slow roll a 1/2-ounce Strule King Colorado blade spinnerbait in 8 to 10 feet of water on rock and red clay banks.  This technique will get hot as the big females begin to move shallower.

LAKE JACKSON IS FULL, 50’S

Bass fishing is fair.  Some days they bite and some days they chase baits and turn away.  It is hard to beat a Spro Aruku Shad in chartreuse shad right now or some form of a jerk bait.  Also have the Lucky Craft Pointers in chartreuse shad.  The fish are really roaming right now, and the bait movement is the reason.  Use the Lowrance Side Scan beams to look out 80 feet and find the bait pods.  Anglers might catch them well on a place today and go back tomorrow and it be a ghost area.  Get on the banks and docks with the trolling motor and cover a lot of water.  If the weather turns cold these fish will lock up on a place like a long point or a break.  These fish usually will stay there for a week.  This month is the turning point to spring so fish the shallow wood and rock with shallow crank baits, Rapala Shad Raps, and the Aruku Shad.  When the sun pops out and gets bright have the 3/8 or ½-ounce Net Boy Baits Flipping Jig with a Zoom Pro Chunk and skip under the floating docks.  That jig combo is always the way to get the better fish and pick the black and brown combinations until the water clears up some.

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

(Fishing report courtesy of Capt. Bert Deener, Retired Georgia WRD Region Supervisor, with help from Region Staff and Local Experts)

More rain this week kept the rivers up, especially those that flow from the Piedmont. The number of good reports were fairly low compared to recently. These short warm spells will push some crappie shallow to think about spawning. Crappie and bass will be the best targets in ponds this week.

River gages on February 15th were:

  • Clyo on the Savannah River – 13.6 feet and falling
  • Abbeville on the Ocmulgee – 12.9 feet and rising
  • Doctortown on the Altamaha – 10.5 feet and rising
  • Waycross on the Satilla – 12.9 feet and rising
  • Atkinson on the Satilla – 13.2 feet and falling
  • Statenville on the Alapaha – 8.4 feet and rising
  • Macclenny on the St Marys – 6.4 feet and falling
  • Fargo on the Suwannee – 9.4 feet and falling

Full Moon is February 24th. To monitor all the Georgia river levels, visit the USGS website HERE. For the latest marine forecast, click HERE.

OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

Edrian got his first flier with a pink sally.

Edrian fooled his first pickerel with a gold flash minnow Keitech swimbait.

Jonathan Colburn took his son Edrian Colburn-Deliz camping at SC Foster State Park and fishing with Capt. Bert in the Okefenokee Swamp in celebration of Jonathan’s birthday. Jonathan had big fish – a 3-lb., 13-oz. chain pickerel on a crawfish-brass blade Dura-Spin.

Jonathan Colburn and Edrian Colburn-Deliz fished with me this weekend on the east side in celebration of Jonathan’s birthday, and we had a good trip. We did not catch anything trolling, but casting was the key. We tried many, but 2 baits produced all of our 8 pickerel. Those 2 were a crawfish-brass blade Dura-Spin and a gold flash 4-inch Keitech Swing Impact Swimbait rigged on a 1/16-oz. Capt. Bert’s 4/0 Swimbait Hook. Jonathan caught the big fish of the trip, a 3-lb., 13-oz. pickerel shortly after we started. Most of the others were 15 to 18 inches. At the end of the trip, we pitched sallies for fliers and caught a half-dozen of the small panfish. Edrian caught his first pickerel and flier during the trip.  The water level is still high, and fish are still spread out in the prairies, but the water level is falling. The most recent water level (Folkston side) was 121.22 feet.

LOCAL PONDS

A Baxley angler fished a pond on Wednesday afternoon and had the best catch I heard of all week. He trolled chartreuse shad, sight flash, sight green hologram, and sexy shad 2-inch Keitech swimbaits rigged on 1/16-oz. Zombie Eye Jigheads and caught 16 crappie – all of them over a pound – a few of them were pushing 2 pounds. He released them, as he had plenty of fish in the freezer and wanted the big females to get off a spawn. Wyatt Crews fished in a Waycross area pond on Friday evening for a short time and boated 6 bass up to a couple pounds by flinging 3.8” gold flash Keitech Fat Swing Impact Swimbaits rigged on 1/8-oz. Flashy Swimbait Heads with gold blades. Jimmy Zinker fished a Valdosta area pond this week and saw some fish shallow and spawning. He caught and released 8 bass in that same area – nothing big. Silas put it on the crappie in a Savannah area pond on Saturday afternoon. He fooled a 16-inch striper, then a 3-pound largemouth, then a whole bunch of crappie up to 1-lb., 12-oz. using both 2-inch and 3-inch chartreuse shad Keitech swimbaits on a 1/8-oz. jighead. A couple of his friends also whacked the crappie while standing beside him casting the same lures on 1/16-oz. Zombie Eye Jigheads. But Silas had the hot hand! Shane and Joshua Barber fished a local lake on Saturday and had fun. They fooled a half-dozen bass and about that many pickerel (jackfish). One of Joshua’s jacks was a big one. They caught them on topwater craws and a few jackfish on minnows. Harry Beverley has been whacking crappie and catching jackfish and other panfish as well in ponds and lakes within a drive from Homerville. Live minnows usually do best for him, but he will fling a jig every now and then. Chad Lee fished a pond on his break Tuesday and fooled a 4-pound bass with a crawfish-colored Rat-L-trap.

SALTWATER (GA COAST)

Between the big tides and bad weather, the reports dwindled to almost nothing this week. Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast.com) had a great trip Thursday. It was typical winter fishing – they fished 3 spots and didn’t have a bite then pulled up to the fourth spot and caught them until it was time to leave. Shrimp under a Harper Super Striker Float was money, but Capt. Tim decided to thread a sight flash Keitech Easy Shiner on an 1/8-oz. Zombie Eye Jighead and the bite was on for him also. He caught the first three on the initial drop. They decided to just leave after catching about 20 redfish in slot and 4 oversized brutes. Surprisingly, not a single trout was mixed in with the reds. They took 4 of their fish to a local restaurant to cook them up and had a great lunch! Wat-a-melon Bait and Tackle in Brunswick is open Friday through Sunday from 6am to 4pm each week. They have plenty of lively shrimp and fiddler crabs and also have live worms and crickets for freshwater. They’re on Hwy 303 just north of Hwy 82. For the latest information, contact them at 912-223-1379.

Blog Contributer Capt. Bert Deener guides fishing trips in southeast Georgia and makes a variety of both fresh and saltwater fishing lures. Check his lures out at Bert’s Jigs and Things on Facebook. For a copy of his latest catalog, call or text him at 912-288-3022 or e-mail him (bertdeener@yahoo.com).