Lake temperatures are in mid- to upper 50s with some warmer temperatures in the pockets. Lake levels have risen after last week’s rain and the lake is right around 1,058.2 feet and down less than12.8 feet from a full pool of 1,071 feet, but that should continue to rise with the upcoming forecast rain this weekend. The main lake is clear and the creeks are stained. The Chattahoochee River is clear. Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.
Please note: I will be performing seminars and tank demos Sunday around noon at Bass Pro Shops. Please stop by and say hello.
Bass
The fishing has been really good and the spotted and largemouth bass are fat and healthy. As with last week’s reports the bass are biting a variety of baits. Just about any methods except topwater are working. Grab your kids and pick your favorite style of fishing and you should be able to catch them.
One method has really worked best for our boat this week. We have been running and gunning main lake points using a SPRO McStick Jerkbait. The bigger spots are cooperating very well with this method. Many spotted bass more than three pounds — with some up to five pounds — have come to the boat while casting these jerkbaits. They work equally as well either jerking or pausing or by reeling them at a medium steady pace. I keep my Minn Kota Trolling motor on a constant medium speed and it remains very quiet, which helps me to sneak up on these active fish. I also watch my Humminbird Electronics to make sure we keep the boat in water that is 20 feet or deeper. Cast your jerk bait parallel to main lake and secondary points and you should do very well. Wind blown banks are the best!
The dock bite will continue to pick up and some large females will start staging in the spawning coves in the next few weeks. Zoom Finesse Worms on a jig head, Spinner baits, jigs, worms and crank baits like an Aruku Shad will work great for these fish Crappie minnows or medium shiners from Hammond’s Fishing Center fished under a float anywhere on the lake is an inexpensive and effective way to catch some nice bass.
Stripers
The fish are on the move and up river and midway into the backs of the lower end creeks has been good to. These fish can be just about anywhere but the best action has come from the more shallow water. Fish blueback herring on planner boards around the banks or close to the points fro some great action. Flatlined live bait has also been working very well for these shallow fish. If you see them schooling cast Bombers, SPRO McSticks, Fish Head Spins and Zoom Flukes to where you see the boils and you should do quite well.
The night bite for stripers has started and should get much better in the next few weeks. Cast a Bomber Long A in pink around the midcreek coves on into the backs around the same areas where you find them during the day.
Crappie
The fishing is very good but you will need to locate the productive areas. Find these fish using your Humminbird Electronics or look for docks in the coves that have brush piles located close by. Continue to troll or cast crappie jigs, Micro Spoons or small inline spinners around productive areas. Small Crappie minnows fished under a float will work well.
Trout on the Chattahoochee
The trout fishing is picking up as the DNR increases its spring stocking efforts. These are newly released trout that will readily bite just about any small lure, flies or worms (check local regulations before fishing live bait in certain off limit areas). If you prefer to wade, remember that you must wear a float, then remember that a Coast Guard approved personal floatation device is required below Buford Dam.
Eric Aldrich is a part time outdoor writer, bass fisherman and a member of Humminbird’s, SPRO, Gamakatsu, Tru Tungsten and Hammond’s Fishing Center Pro Staff. Reports are based on personal experience and permission from a close network of friends. If you would like to email him please do so at esaldrich@yahoo.com. Check out his website at www.
aldrichfishing.com. Remember to take a kid fishing!