Yellow Perch Catch for Emerson Mulhall earns a State Record tie!

It has been almost two years since an angler has reeled in a state record, so it was exciting to hear about Emerson Mulhall’s yellow perch catch this week. He tied the 2013 state record perch at 2 lb, 9 oz with this 16-inch catch from Lake Burton on Feb. 18, 2024. The female perch was released back into Burton where she will spawn in a few weeks. Way to go Emerson!

NEWS TO KNOW:

  • State Record Tie! Find out more about Emerson Mulhall’s yellow perch state record tie HERE. Visit the Wildlife Resources Division State Record Fish webpage to view the full state record fish list and photos of current record catches.
  • Be a Host With the Most: Rocky Mountain Recreation and Public Fishing Area is looking for a campground host. Located near Rome, this area offers two lakes with great fishing, hiking trails, mountain biking opportunities, a beach, an archery range and so much more. The campground host serves the park and the public (minimum of 24 hours/week) by providing rules and regulations to visitors, distributing maps and brochures, performing light maintenance (picking up litter, bathroom cleaning, etc.), emergency assistance for visitors, providing communication to area staff, and performing other duties as appropriate in exchange for a free full hook-up campsite and utilities. Hosts commit from a minimum of 2 months and up to a maximum of 6 months. They must register to be insured and have a clear criminal background check to be accepted. Are you ready to apply? Visit the Host page to find out more details, see other open positions and get the fun started!

This week, we have reports from Southeast, North and Central Georgia. Whether a state record is on the end of the line or your first fish or just “dinner” for the day, we love that you Go Fish Georgia!

UPCOMING EVENTS: FEB.-APR. 2024

SOUTHEAST GEORGIA

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

The cold kept the bite depressed this week, for the most part, but the forecasted warm-up next week should get the fish in the Okefenokee, ponds, and lakes chewing! Crappie and bass fishing should be great next week!

River gages on February 22nd were:

  • Clyo on the Savannah River – 13.0 feet and rising
  • Abbeville on the Ocmulgee – 12.5 feet and falling
  • Doctortown on the Altamaha – 12.9 feet and rising
  • Waycross on the Satilla – 13.4 feet and falling
  • Atkinson on the Satilla – 13.2 feet and rising
  • Statenville on the Alapaha –14.8 feet and rising
  • Macclenny on the St Marys – 7.4 feet and falling
  • Fargo on the Suwannee – 8.9 feet and falling

Last quarter moon is March 3rd. To monitor all the Georgia river levels, visit the USGS website HERE. For the latest marine forecast, click HERE.

OKEFENOKEE SWAMP

Naaman Headrick came down from Tennessee and fished with Dan Prewitt and Capt. Bert Deener in the Okefenokee on Friday. Dan caught the first bowfin of the trip.

Naaman Headrick came down from Tennessee and fished with Dan Prewitt and Capt. Bert Deener in the Okefenokee on Friday. Naaman had a nice pickerel to start off the trip.

Naaman Headrick came down from Tennessee and fished with Dan Prewitt and me on the east side on Friday. The water level is still high, and fish were still spread out in the prairies, but we found two areas that had a concentration of pickerel. Casting was the ticket again for the second trip in a row. We only had 1 warmouth trolling, and the rest of the fish were caught by casting. Dan started the fun, catching a 3-pound bowfin on a crawfish-brass blade Dura-Spin. They quickly added a few pickerel with the same lure. Seeing that the bowfin bite was slow again with the high water, we targeted the shallower, weedy pickerel habitat and picked up some. Toward the end of the trip, they were reacting to smaller, finesse prototype spinners, and we caught the last several on those. White body with a gold blade was the best color late in the trip. We ended up catching 8 pickerel to 17”, a bowfin, and a warmouth. On Wednesday, Wyatt Crews fished with me on the east side. We only caught 3 pickerel and 2 bowfin, but one of the bowfin was a trophy. Wyatt fooled it with a crawfish-brass blade Dura-Spin, and it pulled the scales down to 10-lb., 13-oz. We tried for fliers the last little bit of the trip and fooled 32 fliers (to 7 inches) in 45 minutes. We pitched chartreuse sallies and pink sallies under a small balsa float for the fliers. The most recent water level (Folkston side) was 121.22 feet again this week. The water did not come up after this week’s rains, so that is a good thing for the bite.

DODGE COUNTY PUBLIC FISHING AREA (near Eastman, area info HERE)

Seth Carter made the trek up to Dodge this weekend for the first King of the Kayak Tournament Trail event. He caught a solid 4-pounder on an Alabama rig. The winner by a mere 1/4-inch was Ryan Mason (total 73.50 inches – big fish 16.25 inches). Second was Davey Allen (73.25 inches – big fish 16 inches). Thomas Humphrey rounded out the top 3 with big fish of 15.75 inches and a total of 61.75 inches. The biggest bass of the tournament was a 20.5-incher. The 31 tournament anglers ended up averaging about 2 bass submitted per kayak. The next event is on Banks Lake, and there is still time to sign up if you are interested.

LOCAL PONDS

Jeremy Robertson swung by Satilla Feed and Outdoors on the way to the lake and bought a 6 1/2-inch glide bait then headed to Laura Walker State Park. It didn’t take long before he was setting the hook into a chunky 3-pound bass. He also caught a nice pickerel (jackfish) on the same glide bait. A Baxley angler fished a pond Wednesday afternoon and had a great trip for crappie. He trolled chartreuse back pearl 2-inch Keitech swimbaits on 1/16-oz. black-green eye Zombie Eye Jigheads for 22 slabs up to 1 1/2 pounds. He thought that was a good trip until he went the next morning. That day he made one lap around the pond and caught a limit of crappie with 4 right at 2 pounds, and his biggest pulling the scales down to 2.4 pounds! He released all the crappie over a pound. The same chartreuse back pearl Keitech on a 1/16-oz. Zombie Eye Jighead trolled at about 0.8 miles per hour was the ticket again. Chad Lee got away to a local Alma area pond for just a short half-hour trip and caught 6 really fat crappie (one was pushing 2 pounds!) and 2 bass (2 pounds apiece) on a shad-colored straight-tail plastic. Jimmy Zinker fished some Valdosta area ponds this week and had some good catches. He lost a big fish Wednesday on a spinnerbait, but landed a 6-lb., 2-oz. bass on a 6th Sense glide bait on Tuesday. He also caught a 5-lb, 2-oz. old-looking (big head, big eye) bass on a Shad Rap on Thursday. The crappie and bass bites in ponds should be incredible this week with the forecasted warm-up. Time to go if you have permission at a good pond.

SALTWATER (GA COAST)

Rodney Jones had a good saltwater trip in the Savannah area. He fooled a bunch of trout about 20 feet deep with a 1/4-oz. round head with a spring keeper (Medusa Head) and a sight flash 3-inch Keitech swimbait. Capt. Tim Cutting (fishthegeorgiacoast.com) had a good trip on Friday. They caught 37 trout (4 keepers) then got on a bunch of slot-sized redfish. On Monday they caught a limit of trout and a bunch of shorts by dragging jigs along the bottom. Keitechs rigged on 1/8-oz. Zombie Eye Jigheads worked best. On Tuesday, they roped the redfish, catching a limit and some trout. Half were fooled with plastics and half with live shrimp under a Harper Super Striker Float. On Wednesday the bite slowed with slightly more stained water, and they had to work for them. They ended up with 6 keeper redfish, 6 keeper trout, and a flounder. The water turned nasty on Thursday, and they did not catch fish at several drops until he found some clearer water. They caught all their fish at that stop and had several trout and reds.  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 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).

NORTH GEORGIA

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

RESERVOIR REPORT

Allatoona Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant via www.southernfishing.com): Spotted bass fishing is good. Fish are beginning their pre-spawn “dance” and anglers need to key in on long points and creek mouths. Small jigs, like the Strike King ¼ ounce jig, is a fantastic bait. Use them and add the matching Zoom Trailer in green pumpkin. Try the shallow running Thunder Shad in root beer chartreuse for any stained water. Fish them slow right thru the brush. Also a #5 Rapala Shad Rap can work on a slow retrieve. Fish them slowly in colder water. The warm weather this week may have fish on the move. Start at the mouths of creeks and pockets and work to the back. Crank those bluff walls close to pockets as well and please do not overlook those transitional banks.

Allatoona Crappie Report: (This report courtesy of Red Rooster Custom Boats):

  • Lake Level: 834′ and dropping
  • Water Temp: 47 – 50
  • Water Clarity: Mild to Heavy Stain Muddy in some areas and heavy stained in others
  • Area Fished: North Lake (Little River Area), S Turns To Victoria, Kellogg & Owl Creek
  • Jigs Used: GoldCrush Dagger, CopperHead Dagger, Lectric Chicken Small Fry, Cajun Chicken Small Fry, Jive Turquee Orange Slab Dragon, Copperhead Slab Dragon
  • Technique: Trolling

The first part of last week was a wash! The heavy rains that came in on Sunday/Monday muddied up the water and trashed the creeks. We didn’t have any good fishing days except for Wednesday and Thursday. There were some folks that caught crappie in heavily stained water trolling 1/32 oz. jig heads and 1/24 oz. jig heads. When the water is heavily stained the crappie are typically suspended at 2-4′ in 8′ to 10′ of water. Using 1/32 oz. and 1/24 oz jig heads trolled at .7 to .9 mph will keep those jigs in the strike zone.  Be sure to check out our Red Rooster Combo Packs! If you are unsure what colors to use in clear or stained water our combo packs should help! We offer proven clear and stained water colors in all of our styles that should help you catch more crappie!  Hopefully this report will help you the next time you are crappie fishing on Lake Allatoona. Lord willing we will have another great report next week!

Allatoona Fish Attractors: Find existing DNR fish attractors at Lake Allatoona HERE.

Yellow Perch Catch for Emerson Mulhall earns a State Record tie!

Lake Burton Perch (This report courtesy of Fisheries Supervisor Anthony Rabern): Emerson Mulhall caught a 2 lb 9-ounce yellow perch on Sunday (2/18/24) while fishing on Lake Burton. Using a jerk bait and targeting bass, Emerson was surprised when he reeled in this massive yellow perch that tied the state record.  The female is obviously full of eggs.  Emerson released the fish back into the lake where she will spawn in a few weeks.

Lake Hartwell Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com): Bass fishing is fair. The large amount of rain left the lake with plenty of water and the creeks took on a lot of red clay that washed off the banks. The results left the creeks with heavy stained water and turned the main lake rivers to a light dingy green color. The shad color Rapala RS Shad Raps and the DT baits will still work along with the crawfish and green tiger colors. Stay on the rivers and main lake points with these baits early and look for areas that the wind is blowing on for at least 45 minutes. These points and bowls will be the best bet this week. Fishing is tough but warmer temperatures are just around the corner.

Lake Lanier Bass Report: (This report courtesy of Phil Johnson, 770-366-8845 via www.southernfishing.com): Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake is currently at full pool but is still rising from the recent heavy rain. The backs of the coves and up the rivers are coloring in from the rain while the main lake remains clear. Water temperature is running from forty-six to fifty degrees throughout the lake. Not a lot has changed since last week with fish still being caught from five to fifty feet. The fish are beginning their spring move up, but the ditch bite is still working also. Work a three eights ounce Spot Choker Finesse with a three-inch swimbait very slowly down the middle of the ditches to draw strikes. Watch for these fish to move up from the ditches to the secondary points and flats. If you locate shad in the ditch a half ounce spoon will also trigger them. Work the ditch from deep to shallow to determine the depth the bass are holding. A jig and a worm have been producing steady bites in the twenty-five foot or less range on ledges, secondary points and docks close to creek channels. A green pumpkin jig with some orange strands with a root beer trailer has produced some good fish just not big numbers yet. Any worm in the green-to-green pumpkin colors has been working on a three sixteenths shakey head on rocky points and docks. Watch for the bass to continue to move to the shallower areas and for the lake to stain up quite a bit over the next several days. Be careful on the water right now as there are a lot of floaters out there that can turn it into a bad day in a hurry. The spring bite is beginning so Go Catch ‘Em!

Lanier Linesides (This report courtesy of Buck Cannon, 404-510-1778): Lanier stripers have got a lot of new water to swim in. Lake is just above full pool, so you’ll need to use your electronics to locate the fish and bait and then use your down lines and flat lines with blue backs and trout or gizzards. Flat lines 80 to 100 feet behind the boat trolling at .05 mph on the trolling motor. Once you’re on the fish put baits just above the fish. Planer boards will also have the spread out to cover a larger area. All this new water will affect the bite so be patient. Water temperature is 48-50 degrees, so remember to wear your life jacket.

Jack Becker and friends had a great day on Lanier!

Landed 7 stripers between 21-29 inches.

More Lanier Linesides (This report courtesy of angler Jack Becker): I found a lot of bait in muddy water. The water was 2 1/2° warmer than the main lake. I had my best day of the year. Put 7 stripers in the boat. 2 schoolies, 21” & 22” fish. 5 between 27 1/2 inches & 29 inches.

Lanier Crappie (This report courtesy of Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530 6493): The northern end of the lake is heavily stained to muddy. The main lake is pretty clear. Some of the side creeks like 6 mile and 4-mile are pretty muddy still. The water temperature is 51 degrees. Crappie are suspended 5 to 15 feet deep on open water brush and docks. Crappie are staging for the spawn over the next two months. They will be laying eggs in waves not all at the same time. Please consider only keeping what you plan on eating. That way we will have plenty of fish to catch next year. Look for creeks or coves near a main channel for roaming fish. Try 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.

Alvin Shelton landed this 2 lb, 3 oz crappie on Lanier.

More Lanier Crappie (This report courtesy of Fisheries Supervisor Anthony Rabern): With the warm days of late winter, we’ve seen a lot of anglers on Lake Lanier targeting black crappie around submerged roadbeds and bridges.  Last week, Alvin Shelton was trolling tiny crappie jigs on Lake Lanier when he landed this 2 lb 3-ounce beauty.  He also mentioned that he caught and released another dozen of similar size.

Lanier Fish Attractors: Find DNR fish attractors at Lake Lanier HERE.

Lake Weiss Mixed Bag Report: (This report courtesy of Mark Collins Guide Service and www.southernfishing.com):

  • Bass fishing is fair and they are still on a winter pattern on the river and creek channel ledges. A warming trend will help.
  • 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 Mixed Bag Report (This report courtesy of Ken Sturdivant, www.southernfishing.com):  Bass fishing is fair and the largemouth and spotted bass have started to move up on the main lake points and towards spawning coves down lake. Find the warmest water and if there is a stain in the cove, this is a plus. Use the Texas rigged u tail worm on a light Texas rig early. Then afternoons try the Rapala DT6 and DT10 in shad patterns. The key to catching fish is to keep moving from point to point until the Lowrance electronics finds a concentration of bait and bass. Be prepared to cover a large area of the lake.

West Point Fish Attractors: Find DNR fish attractors at West Point HERE.

RIVER REPORT

Coosa River White Bass (This report courtesy of Fisheries Supervisor Jim Hakala):  WRD staff sampled the Coosa River earlier this week.  Despite the river temperatures only being in the high 40’s, white bass have started to filter into the river from Mayo Lock & Dam downstream to the Old River Road boat ramp.  Decent numbers of female white bass were observed, but it’s still early in the spawning-run.  Anglers can expect warming temperatures over the next several weeks to bring more and more of these mini-linesides into the river from Lake Weiss.  If you are looking for some great white bass fishing, the next month or so on the Coosa should be as good as you can find anywhere!  Throw small shad-colored crankbaits, white curlytail grubs, or minnows tight to the banks for your best shot at some exciting action on light tackle.

SMALL LAKE REPORT

Catching picked up once it the weather warmed up.

Nice catch on Queen City Lake.

Good day out on the water at Queen City Lake.

LaFayette City Reservoir/Queen City Lake (Report courtesy of Fisheries Technician Richard Childers): Another below freezing morning with water temps a little above 50 degrees.  Water was still pretty dirty from recent rains.  Nine boats had been out the day before (Feb 18th) for the first Queen City Lake Bass tournament of the year.  The winner had a 20-pound bag, and the big fish was over 7 lbs.  Sounds like a good way to start the tournament season!  My early morning was fruitless but gave way to bites and hookups once it warmed up.  The fish I managed to land came from ripping a jerkbait and an underspin off the bank where there were sharper drop offs.  Nothing big was caught, but I enjoyed my time on the water. Tight lines!

TROUT REPORT

Delayed Harvest Stocking (This report courtesy of trout stocking coordinator John Lee Thomson): The delayed harvest (DH) program is in full swing. If you are unfamiliar with the DH regulations, these areas have special regulations that mandate artificial lures only and you must practice catch and release from November 1st-May 14th.  Good luck and Go Trout Fish Georgia!

Trout and More (This report courtesy of Unicoi Outfitters): Check out Unicoi Outfitter’s regular “Angler Management” fishing reports HERE.

North GA Trout (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.

Chattahoochee and Tocooa Tailwater Trout (Report courtesy of 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 river. 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 Stocking Bucket Brigade: 40 volunteers stocked 1800 trout – Thanks Volunteers!

Trout Stocking Bucket Brigade: 40 volunteers stocked 1800 trout – Thanks Volunteers!

Trout Stocking Bucket Brigade: 40 volunteers stocked 1800 trout – Thanks Volunteers!

Trout Stocking Bucket Brigade: 40 volunteers stocked 1800 trout – Thanks Volunteers!

Morgan Falls DH Trout Stocking (This report courtesy of Buford State Trout Hatchery Manager Travis Taylor): Many thanks to all the “bucket brigade” volunteers that came out to help stock trout into the Morgan Falls Delayed Harvest section of the Chattahoochee River this past Wednesday.  The 40 or so volunteers stocked 1,800 trout.  Want to volunteer with the DNR?  Look for future volunteer trout stocking opportunities along with other DNR volunteer opportunities HERE.

Trout Fishing Opportunities for Those With Disabilities: These sites are open to the public and offer specific amenities for anglers with disabilities.

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 in the state.

MISCELLANEOUS

Georgia Bass Slam! Do you have what it takes to complete a Georgia Bass Slam in 2024?  The idea behind the Georgia Bass Slam is to recognize anglers with the knowledge and skill to catch five (5) different species of black bass in a variety of habitats across the state, and to stimulate interest in the conservation and management of black bass and their habitats.  North Georgia anglers have a great opportunity to complete a “slam”, as seven of Georgia’s ten program eligible bass species can be caught in various waters from Atlanta north.  Give it a shot and maybe you too will make the distinguished list of successful “slammers” in 2024!

Why Moving Bass is a Really Bad Idea.  Don’t be part of the problem that is decimating native bass populations in Georgia and throughout the southeast.  Here is a great podcast from our friends at the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, featuring professional angler Matt Arey, discussing the problems illegally introduced Alabama Bass are having on popular native bass populations.

What did I catch?  With well over 300 fish species (mostly freshwater) calling Georgia “home”, it can sometimes be tough to identify your catch.  Is it a green sunfish or a warmouth?  What kind of minnow is this?  The next time you find yourself in such a situation, check out the “Fishes of Georgia” website. The site’s color photos and state range maps may just help you figure out what’s on the end of your line!

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 .62 FEET, 50’S

Bass fishing is slow.  There is a now a warming trend that could fire the bass off soon.  With the runoff, the water is colored so use the smaller Zoom lizards or green pumpkin.  Fish all the points and ledges.  The massive amount of wood and submerged timber that lies beneath the surface will be the key factor for catching bass this week.  The Carolina rig will be the best bet and rig one up with ten- or twelve-pound test line using just enough weight to reach the bottom.  Try not to use anything more than a ¼ ounce weight.  Use a 30 to 32-inch leader with a 2/0 Mustad hook on the Carolina rig with a very slow presentation.  As the water temperatures warm up later this month switch to the ribbon tail worm.  But if the water remains cold stick with the finesse worm.

CLARKS HILL IS FULL, 50’S

Bass fishing is slow.  With the weather changing weekly bass fishing has taken a good hit on the quality and number of bass caught during the last couple of weeks.  A warming trend is expected to happen towards the later part of the week, and this should improve bass fishing somewhat.  There is an early morning bite on crank baits on the Rapala DT10 series of Rapala crank baits.  After the morning passes, the best baits to switch to is the Husky Jerks or the Thunder Sticks.  Try using the #10 first and then go to the #14 during the late afternoon hours.  Use the deeper diving baits as the day progresses.  Main lake points still seem to be best.  Try to find the ones near channel ledges or some sort of a drop off.  These areas seem to be the best producers right now with the large kicker bass still holding tight in the deeper cover.  Work an area good and then move on to the next.

LAKE OCONEE IS FULL 50’S

Bass fishing is poor.  The lake is full, muddy from the 44-bridge north, heavy stain over most of the lake.  Richland creek is stained.  Water temperatures range from 42 to 45 degrees.  The Richland creek arm of the lake has the best watercolor and has been producing better than the Oconee side.  Small crank baits with rattles fished on sea walls and around docks are working. Jigs fished around docks in the Richland creek arm of the lake have produced a few fish over the past week.  Dark Jigs with a rattle, brown, blue, and black have been the best colors.  Spinner baits fished along any rock bank will also draw a strike.  There is also a spoon bite on the south end of the lake where Richland Creek and the Oconee come together.  Find the schools on the Lowrance and drop a spoon down to the school.

LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 1.3 FEET, 50’S

Bass fishing is fair.  Some bass are coming from shallow water although a few schools of bass remain deep.  Any warming trend will send the fish to the banks.  Small to medium sized crank baits and Rat L Traps are the main lure types producing fish.  Catches with these baits are coming from clay and rocky banks, points and just inside the mouth of coves, docks, and riprap.  More fish will possibly be moving toward the middle and backs of coves during the current warming trend.  Chrome blue Rat L Traps in ¼ and ½ounce sizes have both caught fish for several days now.  Many of the fish are hitting halfway back to the boat, so slow the bait down and allow it to bump bottom on each retrieve.  Try the #5 and #7 Shad Rap, Bandit #200 and Rapala DT6.  Several color patterns can work like chrome blue, fire tiger, pearl, and shad patterns.  A few large fish will hit a jig and plastic chunk around docks and blow downs.  This is a very slow bite, but it could add a kicker to the catch.  Another slow bite that may produce a big fish is with a spinnerbait.

LAKE JACKSON IS 1.1 FEET OVER FULL, 50’S

Bass fishing is slow but there are chances for a big bass.  Use the #7 crawdad Shad Rap and work all the sea walls that are facing the sun.  Some large spotted bass over three pounds are feeding on the southern end of the lake in the clearer waters.  The same pattern should continue to hold except for the bass getting a little more active with the weather warming up towards the end of the week.  If the rain moves in and the watercolors gets worse, fish the Rapala Shad Rap right up on the bank.  Switch to a Rapala #5 if this happens.  The Rattlin Raps is another good bait to use in dirty water.  Cast them shallow and crank them slowly.  A Fish Head Spin or jigging spoon will catch these fish.

Two bass in hand are better than two in the water. Is that the right saying? Nice catch at McDuffie PFA.

MCDUFFIE PUBLIC FISHING AREA (More Info HERE)

Bass: Waters are still cold and clear. But the days are getting longer, and waters are slowly warming. We’re getting into spawning season, so bass are transitioning.  They are moving from deeper waters into shallower spawning habitats.  Large egg-laden females are already being seen coming in and out of deeper water to banks and drop-offs.  Still, anglers have to be craftier and patient.  Slow bottom lures, creature lures, are the best bet.  A nice plump female weighing nearly 9 pounds was recently caught on Jones Lake.  Slow bottom lures can work in deeper water.  Jerk baits drawn in towards banks, especially with cover and rocks, may entice a bass.

Catfish: The catfish bite has been very slow.  But a few bites are being had in deepest waters on the slinkiest of baits.

Striped Bass: Stripers are still being caught.  They are hitting on the usual chicken livers sunk deep in the waters of Bridge and Clubhouse lakes.  Working the siphon outflows on Bridge and Clubhouse consistently yield bites.