28 days ago
CAPTAIN JUDY HELMEY
"Kicking Fish Tail Since 1956"
POB 30771
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA 31410
912 897 4921 912 897 3460 FAX
www.missjudycharters.com
Captain Judy's email fishjudy2@aol.com
Captain Judy's Cell 
912 429 7671
January 11, 2010
Saltwater Inshore, Offshore, Blue Water fishing reports, Freshies
Suggestions, and "Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not story! Thanks for
Reading!
Table of content
2010 inshore and offshore fishing schools date
It's cold at the coast, but you can still catch fish!
Spotted Sea Trout
Sight casting or float fishing for red fish!
Striped Bass in Savannah River
Inshore Wreck Fishing Suggestions
Offshore artificial reefs where the sheepshead is king!
Speckle Hind also known as Kitty Mitchell
Freshies report with Bill Vanderford "A garfish's fighting catch-22!"
Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!" Preverbal Talk Wrench
2010 INSHORE and OFFSHORE FISHING CLINICS
January 16, 2010 inshore school is right around the corner! We still have spots available!
Our newly revised inshore and offshore handout material as well as classes taught is
going to be considered "priceless!" We are also going to give you the best times to fish
for what, when, how, and where for the entire year of 2010.
To sign up is simple!
To sign up all you have to do is email me fishjudy2@aol.com, call Miss Judy Charters
912 897 4921, or fax me 912 897 3460 and put your name on the school date you want to
attend! "No deposit required, you could pay the day of the school!" Hope to hear from
you soon!
TWO INSHORE SCHOOLS
Dates:
January 16, 2010
February 20, 2010
With tentative third inshore school date
March 6, 2010Time: 8:00AM - 2:00 PM
Lots of new changes in the inshore schools! Bottom-line its different information along
with the latest inshore catching suggestions! Bottom line "secrets revealed!"
ONE OFFSHORE SCHOOL
Date: January 30, 2010
Time: 8:00AM - 2:00 PM
The offshore school is not just for those that have big boats only. The fact of the matter
is a fisherman with an 18-foot boat can go offshore as long as they watch the weather
before doing so. For those fishermen that want to have a better chance at catching fish
offshore I suggest attending my class. Even though I have had 50 years of offshore
fishing experiences I always learn something new! So why wouldn't you?
Place: Tubby's Tank House 2909 River Drive, Thunderbolt, Georgia 31404
Cost: $90.00 (included one day class, breakfast, and lunch)
Please call 912 897 4921 now for reservations
Please sign up as soon as possible! There is limited entry!
Capt Judy's email fishjudy2@aol.com
Capt Judy's Cell 912 429 7671
Spotted Sea Trout
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
As you can see the old spotted sea trout has a big mouth!
It's cold at the coast, but you can still catch fish!
Well, now, winter has arrived on the coast and what I was suggesting a week ago
certainly wouldn't work now. So here are a few suggestions for now along with a few for
later when every thing starts thawing out.
When it cold meaning water temperatures have dropped and are staying below 50
degrees things down under get a little strange. All occupants that swim together whether
they are predator or prey seem to somehow end up together when it all said done. Cold
temperatures send most fish into a semi-hibernation mode, which by the way is only my
theory. However, since I have been fishing as well as listening to those that fish for a
long time I just might know a little about these cold-water times.
The first thing is this...all fish that don't migrate before it turns cold are always aware of
that certain place to go to hibernate. These places such as deep holes or ledges offer them
a certain amount of protection and also a great place to stage a "stand by also know as the
hibernation mode." Most all fish do it in some form or fashion. So therefore where you
have fish you have a certain opportunity to get them to bite. During the cold times fish
get lethargic, meaning slow to go. Some of the habits of moving and feeding are almost
brought to a halt.
Let's talk a little about live baits that you might want to use. Most tackle stores are not
going to have live shrimp unless they are shipped in from Florida. If you happen to find
some live shrimp they will work, but it's going to be stretch keeping them alive and
waking them up in these cold situations. With that being said, "May be you ought to
think about using artificial lures." The bottom line when going artificial anything is
this...it needs to be worked slowly and it shouldn't be the biggest soft bait that you can
find. I have this old time friend Rupert Heller that knew how to work a cold water hole.
Believe me if there was a trout in the hibernation mode it would hit his slow worked lure.
Back in the old days, when screw and paddle tails ruled in the artificial lure catching
world lots of these fish was tricked into going from hibernation to the bite mode. Rupert
used to do what I called the "Rupert Stroll in the deep holes." His lures were purchase at
a tackle store, but after he finished tweaking them they became most preferred by slow to
go trout. Rupert had a lot of secrets when it came to setting up a screw tail lure. One of
the first things that he would do would be to trim the tail a bit. This kept the lure's tail
from hanging on the line. While I am talking about line, Rupert only used 8 pound test
main line, which means a light tackle affair for sure.
So my first suggestion especially during cold water times is to used ultra light tackle
meaning small rods and reels, eight pound test main line, and trimmed screw tails soft
baits threaded on to 1/8 ounce jig heads. As far as color of bait used I suggest going with
a bending color with water fished. This means if it's clear clean water used a clear
colored lure. When working this lure I suggest "slow to go" and when you think you
have gotten a hit you most likely did. Don't think about whether to stop retrieving or not
"just stop and give them time to eat!"
Sight casting or float fishing for red fish!
The sounds are the areas to look for this fish. I suggest fishing areas where you have
seen them before. Here are two options: Find the fish and use some sort of floating plug
or rig weed less soft bait.
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is the prefect size legal red fish. In Georgia the slot limit for keeping a red fish is 14
to 23 inches with a bag limit of 5 fish.
Another good bait to used during cold times in the mud minnow under small adjustable
floats. Since it's cold I suggest casting your bait into place, putting rod in holder, and
waiting until you get a hit. As a rule if you don't take your hands off the rod you will try
to set the hook too quickly resulting in no hook up. During these cold times, "you must
give them time to eat, because the take is very slow!"
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This mud minnow, which was removed from a red fish's stomach! As suggested the mud
minnow works great when targeting red fish and striped bass. The best news is this bait
doesn't seem too affected by cold-water times.
Striped Bass in Savannah and Ogeechee Rivers
This is the time of the year to target striped bass these areas are holding what this fish
wants. So I suggest if this is the targeted species for the day then fish either the Savannah
or Ogeechee River areas. As far as bait, mud minnows are good and probably will work a
little better than the shrimp that you can't find. Another bait source is finger mullet,
which can be caught with the old cast net in the backs of small creeks. As far as how to
get your bait of choice to the fish I suggest using large adjustable float rigs, baiting up,
and letting them float with the current in a around the structure. During this time the
striped bass sometimes prefers areas holding concrete while other prefer wooden
structure. I suggest coming up with a fish plan that offers both types of structure.
Inshore Wreck Fishing Suggestions
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This an old shrimp boat wreck, which located in Turner Creek, which is exposed at low
and half covered at high tide stage. As the days go by more and more of this wreck
breaks apart. However, as it's trying to break apart daily, the marine life is attaching
itself holding parts together. Since I am not a marine biologists I don't know the names
of certain growths, but here's what I do know. In my world of observation I have come
up with my personal conclusions in regards to marine growths and those that fish that
feed on it. We have four tides a day in our areas. As the tide rises and falls certain
marine growth are exposed for numerous hours during this time frame. Marine creatures
that can only survive under water attach themselves to surfaces that don't get left high
and dry. Some marine growth can survive out of the water and it's part of their life cycle
to do so. Stay with me I am going somewhere with all this. Fish that feed either directly
on the marine's growth or on those creatures that live in it are already privy to all of this
information. I call this "fish instincts." Even though we have four tides, which means
the water level changes continuously there is still much opportunity for feeding around a
wreck.
This wreck is what I call parallel to the bank, which means lots of feeding opportunity
during the higher tide stage. Fish will feed some on the out going tide but will be more
comfortable feeding on the incoming. The reason being is that not only is this a place to
feed, but it also offers a certain amount of protection. However, this is an incoming
feeding event mostly. Now wrecks that are perpendicular to the bank, which partially
still remain in the water at low tide offer a different feeding pattern. This situation offers
a continuous-feeding pattern.
How to fish an inshore wreck
Offshore Wrecks
As you know I have been fishing all of my life. My father was an avid inshore and
offshore fisherman. But here's the strange thing, on most occasions we only fished
inshore, because we couldn't go offshore. Normally this meant it was too darn rough to
brave the sea conditions. So therefore we got pretty darn good at catching inshore fish
out of our big boats, because let face it "no shallow water fishing here." My father came
up with the great ideas and while fishing with him all of the time I learned them too!
When we fished an offshore wreck we normally anchor up current and let our bait
offering be delivered as naturally as possible. I guess you could say, "We let our bait
float directly into the strike zone." On some occasions we anchor right on the wreck with
the aid of a wreck anchor, which offers all of kinds fish catching opportunities.
Inshore Wrecks
So when we fished an inshore wreck we basically did the same thing, which was to
anchor up current. The best news about anchoring up current especially when using
some sort of a float is you will be able to find the bite just by letting your float, take a
float. When fishing a wreck on an incoming tide you might have to readjust you anchor
position a few times. However, until that point you can still cast up current taking full
advantage of this fishing arena. Now that I have you thinking about it, which inshore
wreck are you going to fish first?
Photo by Captain Judy Helmey
This is what is called a "bucket of sheepshead!"
Offshore artificial reefs where the sheepshead is king!
During these real cold times I am not suggesting that you go offshore fishing. However
if you must and this is the plan I suggest picking a day where sea conditions are calm
with light winds prevailing. During these cold-water times the sheepshead as a rule isn't
affected too much and still goes about it's daily feeding pattern. The best bait is going to
be the purple back fiddler. However, obtaining the bait just might be harder than catching
the fish. So therefore always makes plans ahead of time for obtaining bait. The bottom
line is to catching fish is you might have to start looking for bait such as this days before
actually going fishing.
Speckle Hind also known as Kitty Mitchell
://www.line109.co http http://www.line109.com/jjjjjjuudydkkdo://www.lin
Speckle Hind also known as "Kitty Mitchell"
The speckle hind should be classified as one of those fish that can come in
different colors at different times. If you remember the phase, "a horse of a
different color?" Well, this is a fish that fits into the category of maybe a
different color. Who knows what mood prompts this change. The reason
being is that some times it's reddish with spots and other times it looks just
like this. There is a great story about how the speckle hind got the nickname
of Kitty Mitchell.
According to folklore, Kitty Mitchell was a lady of the evening in one of the
Florida coastal cities home to a large commercial fishing fleet. Apparently,
many of her clients were commercial fishermen. Kitty had bright red hair - a
color similar to that of the sometimes color of the speckled hind.
Commercial fishermen began referring to speckled hind as Kitty Mitchell
grouper in tribute to her. More folklore has it that Kitty was particularly fond
of speckled hind and would take them in trade for her services. I am so glad
that great sea stories seen to never stop being told! Thanks Spud
Freshies report
"A garfish's fighting catch-22!"
Bill Vanderford is "Lake Lanier's Legend!"
My long time friend Bill Vanderford had sent me some of his most wonderful pictures!
With that being said, "You will be seeing them in my up coming weekly Freshies
Report!" This means my "Freshies Report" is "Stepping up" and offering some real time
serious value! For those readers out there that would like to know more about Bill
Vanderford's accomplishments, his freshwater charter trips or wildlife tours, books
written and his special line up of tackle offered, please visit his site
http://www.fishinglanier.com/contact.html for all the details!
Photo by Bill Vanderford
The garfish isn't considered great table fare, but once hooked up they certainly are strong
fighters! My father used to catch garfish while trolling a short piece of frayed rope. The
bottom line was if one of them were around it had to pick a fight with the rope and "9
times out of 10" the old gar lost. The more the garfish fought at the rope the more it got
tangled. The moral of this story is "it might look like the enemy, but sometimes it just a
short piece of frayed rope!"
Little Miss Judy's Believe It or Not!"
Preverbal Talk Wrench
Photo by Rich Gulck
This is an old time torque wrench. A torque wrench is a tool used to precisely apply a
specific torque to a fastener such as a nut or both.
Preverbal Talk Wrench
My father had one of these torque wrenches in a pale green cardboard box, which he kept
under his bed. As a child I would occasionally pull the box out from under the bed and
take a "look see." To me this was an amazing tool, because my father always called it
"the talk wrench!" Now I can't and won't say that the wrench ever said anything, but I
always wanted to give it as much opportunity as possible. I know it talked to daddy,
because he said so!
Thanks for reading!
Captain Judy
"The Southern Fishing Report" By Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
Cumming Georgia 30040
770 889 2654
www.havefunfishing.com
www.stripersurvey.com
January 8, 2010
LAKE LANIER IS .51 FEET OVER FULL AND CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND 40 DEGREES.
Bass are tough to find and catch with the cold waters. Even though the lake is over full, bass are deep and hugging the bottom. Spots are in the creek channels where they are spending the winter. Spoons and jigs are fair and concentrate on the ledges on the old creek bends. A ½ ounce Flex It spoon on heavy 14 pound Sufix line and a heavy action bait casting rod is the right rigging. Spend some time with the Lowrance and find these old creek and there are log jams in the ditches that hold winter bass. The new Structure Scan technology is a real time saver so anglers do not fish where there are no fish. Up lake is the best area because the creeks are small enough to only have to spend a few minutes riding on and over these areas. Watch for the shad schools in the coves and creeks and get the spoon to them. Add an all black jig and use the Uncle Josh all black eel and drag this bait on the same bait casting rig on and over these locations. Thompson Creek and Wahoo Creek are prime areas and look at the depths from 10 to 25 feet for these fish. In the winter, the bass almost shouts down its digestive system waiting for warming weather. But they still must eat and strikes from cold water bass are always very light. If the weather warms up at all, try a large Fat Free Shad in red shad or green shad and add some Storm Suspend dots to the bottom of the baits. Now these should fished with very long casts on light line and get the baits deep and stop them. Use several spoons in colors and sizes and look around the larger marinas as a back up area. Drop shot rigs and finesse worms are also very effective. Docks and the same deep locations down lake are perfect to try these techniques. Rig the drop shot with a 1/0 or 2/0 Mustad offset worm hook. The deeper the docks hold the bigger fish. Also look in the marinas and there is a good pattern on docks from 25 to 40 feet deep. The fish are moving around under these docks so keep a close eye on the Lowrance. Try some extra scent on the plastics and this may help the fish hold the baits long enough to feel the strike and set the hook. Try a small ¼ ounce jig in pumpkinseed with a small trailer by Zoom in the same colors.
This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Guide Service, 404-561-2564. www.bigfishonguide.com
Striper fishing remains good, however the high winds and arctic cold continue to present some interesting challenges. It's COLD! The water temperatures have dropped quickly. Lake surface temperature is low to middle 40's with ICE in the backs of creeks. The fish and bait have moved completely from the backs of the creeks to the lake creek and river channels over a 50 to 70 foot bottom where the water temperatures are a bit more stable. The fish are scattered lake wide. We have focused on mid to northern creeks but Bald Ridge Creek and Shoal Creek are also holding fish. Trout, herring and shiners on down rods at 25 to 40 feet, umbrella rigs and casting buck tails are all working but not consistently. The key is to remain flexible and if one method is not working, try another. The double B's (birds and bait) will remain the key throughout the month of January. Find the birds and the bait and you have a very good chance there are stripers nearby. The stripers are feeding on small threadfin shad. Do not hesitate to downsize your bait, jigs and spoons. Tiny 2 or 3 inch trout or small to medium shiners will be your best live bait choices. A #4 hook and 12 pound test leader and a light drag are needed when fishing these small baits. Planer boards, flat lines and down rods are all viable methods, but be sure to weight your planers and flat lines. The floating down rod (place a float on a release 10 feet or so above your down rod swivel) is also a good choice. Remember - Birds and Bait. The new Lowrance Structure Scan is very helpful tool for finding the schools of threads. If you haven't had a chance to see the Lowrance LSS-1 Structure Scan/Down Scan technology in action, you need to. Meet Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On! Guide Service at the Atlanta Boat Show January 13 through 17 at the Georgia World Congress Center.
See www.attlantaboatshow.com for seminars and schedules.
January 8, 2010
WEST POINT LAKE IS DOWN 4.98 FEET, STAINED & 43 DEGREES BY CHRIS BELL
Bass fishing has been continued to be tough. Water temperatures for West Point Lake are in the low to mid 40's. The southern end of the lake is the most productive because of the consistency in water temperature and water color. Continue searching clearer water in major creeks Wehadkee Creek, Maple Creek, Veasey Creek and Whitewater Creek. As the stained water begins to clear, look for fish to begin stacking up on humps and road beds in relation to the cooler temperatures in twenty to twenty five feet of water. Watch your electronics closely as fish stack on these areas. Use small jigging spoons or drop shot rigs to catch these deeper fish. On your drop shot use a #1 drop shot hook and finesse worms similar to a Zoom meathead or Roboworm on feeding fish. My best success this week has come from mid depth crankbaits fished on points and steep embankments with chunk rock. On sunny days fish will move onto these rocky areas to feed. The bites have come from slowly retrieving your crankbaits hitting rocks at mid depths. Most of these fish are suspended but can really turn on with a slight increase in water temperature. A jerk bait will produce bigger fish in these areas, but do not expect many bites. When deeper cover is available use a green pumpkin finesse worm rigged on a 3/16 ounce shaky head. Fish have really been lethargic so use eight pound Triple-Fish fluorocarbon to feel those softer bites.
Hybrid and striper fishing is good and the fish have been biting from the Railroad Trestle down to the dam. Locating shad is very easy with the sudden drop in temperatures. Look for gulls and loons diving on bait and you will find the fish. Pay close attention to your electronics and you will see feeding fish suspended underneath shad schools relating to structure. Troll crankbaits from ten to twelve feet depths in creek channels to catch fish relating to the dying shad. Fish can also be found holding in twenty to twenty five feet depths on the many humps and road beds. Drop live shad and jigging spoons for these fish.
Crappie fishing has improved with the clearing water. Fish are still holding under the bridges and standing timber, but have become more spread out over recent weeks. The best bridges are the 109 bridge, the railroad trestle, and the Cameron Mill Bridge located in Yellow Jacket Creek. If the wind permits, focus on fishing standing timber on main lake in 20 to 25 feet depths. Troll jigs in fifteen feet depths over standing timber to catch these feeding fish. Smaller schools of crappie are beginning to move to shallower cover in eighteen to twenty feet depths. The best cover has been deep water lay downs and brush piles. Minnow presentations are preferred and we recommend 1/16 ounce Jiffy Jigs in the black and chartreuse and the white and pink colors until water clears.
January 8, 2010
Bottom of Form
LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 17.6 FEET, STAINED UP AND CLEAR DOWN, 40 DEGREES
This Lake Allatoona fishing guides report is bought to you by Craig Miller from The Dugout in Marietta Georgia
Bass fishing is slow and the lake level is getting lower and some boat ramps are starting to close. You have three options for catching fish this week. The first option is to fish a small crank bait on main lake points. Cast a #5 Shad Rap in fire tiger or a Norman Deep Tiny N. Fish these baits very slowly on light line to attract bites. The second choice this week is to fish small jigs in the same areas. A small Bass Patrol in black or brown should do the job. Fish the bait with a slow dragging action. The last and my personal favorite is to use the Float-N-Fly. Even in the stained water, you can still catch them on this bait. Fish the steep rock banks and let the bait sit for long periods of time. The bright colors, like Punisher's Clown or Royal Blue seem to be the best choice. The new Perch Color Red Rooster is also producing well.
This Lake Allatoona fishing guides report is bought to you by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service. www.firstbiteguideservice.com 770 827-6282.
Line side fishing is fair at best. This brutal cold weather we are having has given the fish lock jaw. The water temperature is falling fast, And I look for the shad kill to start early this year. If you are willing to brave the cold then mid-lake would be your best bet. Try to find the clearest water possible and fish Shiners, shad and small trout on free-lines and planner boards. Remember to down size your hooks to match your shiners for more strikes. After the sun comes up, switch to pulling umbrella Rigs. We had our best luck this week pulling my rigs 145 feet behind the boat at 3.1 to 3.4 miles and hour. As the lake starts to clears and the temperature starts to warm back up, look for the umbrella rig bite to go great guns. We still have a few days open this month. Give me a call at 770 827-6282 if you would like to book a trip.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
We have the NEW! Book: "BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA" for sale $39.00 total. If you would like a sample send an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.
January 8, 2010
LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 3.6 FEET, 39 DEGREES, STAINED
Bass fishing is slow and there are not many angers out there. The water is very cold and the bass are biting a little later in the day with a warm up. Stay down lake and use worms and jigs. Fish the humps and points half way to the backs of the creeks. In the mouths of the main lake creeks blue pumpkin Zoom mini lizards. The backs of the lower lake creeks are clear and a use 1/2 ounce Stanley jig in black and blue Zoom pork imitation. Fish heavy bank cover and work baits dead slow all the way back to the boat. Look for any warming water in the northwest cove's later in the afternoons. The lake is stable for now but very cold. Stay on the main lake and use spoons or small all white buck tails as you see the fish on the Lowrance depth finder. The new Structure Scan will help eliminate a ton of water. The ledges right off the main lake are still good locations to find a schools of fish. But getting them to bite has been tough. Use a large jig with the Uncle Josh trailer and fish this bait just like a jigging spoon.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 2.9 FEET, 39 DEGREES AND STAINED
Bass fishing is slow and the cold weather is the issue. Anglers are reporting on again off again periods. Work main lake points and also the islands whether large or small with the fire tiger suspending jointed Shad Rap. Try to throw to the shallows and let the bait dig in the bottom as much as possible. Digging up the bottom will trigger a lot of bites in the fall as well as the spring. Stay out of the backs of the smaller creeks. The bass aren't There and you can save the time for more productive fishing. Carolina rigged finesse worms are also working on or near any sharp bends of the rivers channels. Up lake try the Storm 4 1/2 inch red shad worm. Down size to 12 or 10 lb. test line and use a ¼ ounce brass weight with a small glass bead for best results. Working the bait slow is the key and letting it hang up in the numerous brush piles that are present will draw a good bite. Let it hang up and when you feel the brush pile, stop the bait and just lift the rod tip slowly and let the bait fall right back into the structure. Some of these bass are holding very tight to heavy structure and by using this method, your chances of hooking the bigger fish increase.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 4.7 FEET, 40 DEGREES AND STAINED
Bass fishing is tough and the waters are slightly stained water in the upper region of the lake. It is cold and will stay cold for another month. Small shallow pockets are luring in the bigger bass on days that the sun breaks out and warms up the water. With the water temperatures hanging right around the 40 degree mark, this pattern should hold for another week or so. Small jerk baits and split shot rigged worms are doing the most damage here. From mid lake down, start the morning, after the sun comes up working the rip rap with a small Shad Raps in the perch or natural shad color. These bass are following the herring up to the rocks and feeding on them later in the day as the rocks warm up. Look for any signs of bait on the surface near rip rap or any rocky point. The warmer water during the day after 1:00 pm is holding the bait fish close to the bank until around 4:30. Don't be afraid to throw in water that might be only 11/2 feet deep. With the shallow bait, use a finesse worm on a spot sticker in icicle. Stay on the bottom and be patient.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN .6 FEET, 46 DEGREES, MUDDY AND FAST LAKE WIDE BY MATT BATY
Bass fishing is tough. Many fishermen have reported it being tough on Lake Seminole. Some reports of bass are being caught in Spring Creek on Texas rigs with a 5" Big Bite Baits Trick Stick in Black/Blue Flake. Use a 3/16 ounce black Tru-Tungsten sinker and a 5/0 offset shank Gamakatsu hook. Use this rig in the points and channel bends of the old creek channel. The old creek channel ranges from 20 to 26 feet in places and the edges of it range from 15 to 18 feet. Your electronics really come handy when finding these places because shad use this old channel to migrate during the winter time. See the new Lowrance Structure scan Down Scan on lowrance.com. Once you find the bait balls, the bass will be suspended near and around them in the timber. Another pattern that works pretty well is flipping dead hyacinths pretty much anywhere they are found in backwaters of the Flint River and Chattahoochee River. Use a 1 1/2 ounce Tru-Tungsten and a 5/0 Straight Shank Gamakatsu hook along with a 4" Big Bite Baits Yo Momma in Hematoma. If we get a little warm spell and the water temperatures start to climb, then break out the Spro Aruku Shad 75 in Mudbug Red and start cranking grass flats. The ones near spawning areas are best such as the Oil Well Flats and the Duck Refuge area.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
LAKE GEORGE/EUFAULA IS FULL, 53 DEGREES & MUDDY UP NORTH AND STAINED DOWN SOUTH
Bass fishing have been slow. Cold water temperatures sent most fish down below the 20 foot depths and slow deep Carolina rigs with small lizards and worms are barley working. Cowikee Creek seems to be the most reliable place to get bit. The creek ledges just out from the marina and the ditches around the Cypress stands are yielding a few fish after mid day. Use the 1/2 ounce Flex-It or Hopkins Shorty spoons and jig them around a 20 foot bottom. There are some drop shot anglers that are catching bass using soft minnow imitations and even live shiners. As the weather starts to come back to seasonal temperatures, head to the backs of the creeks and use small Shad Raps and Bandits in shad and fire tiger patterns. But sure to work baits with a slow stop and go retrieve and add some Storm Suspend Strips to the baits so they suspend and not float.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
LAKE WEISS IS AT 6.61 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, STAINED AND 39 DEGREES BY MARK COLLINS GUIDE SERVICE
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for bass and crappie fishing on Weiss Lake. For more info contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com
Bass fishing is fair and very few largemouth are being caught. The spots are still active. The upper part of Little River and the Chattooga River is loaded with spotted bass and they will stay there through the winter. Any cover on deeper rocky banks is sure to be holding some spots. They can be caught on a Texas rigged 4 inch Zoom dead ringer or a 5 inch Senko worm in pumpkinseed or watermelon seed or June bug colors, a drop shot rig is also catching numbers of spotted bass.
Striper fishing is fair and since the rain and all the muddy water the bite has slowed down, but as the water clears over the next few days look for the stripers to start back biting again. A few fish are being caught in Yellow Creek and the lower Little River and Chattooga River areas on a 1/4 or 3/8 ounce jig head with a 3 inch Sassy Shad body in chartreuse or pearl white, trolled with 60 to 80 feet of line out, with 15 to 17 pound test line at 1.3 to 1.6 mph. Watch for the Seagulls to start working the surface and diving and troll thru this area.
Crappie fishing is poor and the fish are on the ledges of the Coosa River and Little River in 14 to 18 feet of water on the drop offs, Spider rigging with live minnows and Jiffy Jigs is the way to catch these fish. Some Crappie are being caught in the lower Chattooga River on a float and fly 4 to 5 feet deep on the edges of the old river channel. Use 2 1/16 ounce Jiffy Jigs 4 to 5 feet deep under a float.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
Now available for sale 50 of my proven GPS waypoints for off shore structure for Bass and Crappie fishing on Weiss Lake, Alabama. Contact Ken Sturdivant at ken@havefunfishing.com.
January 8, 2010
LAKE OCONEE IS DOWN 4 INCHES FROM FULL POOL, WATER TEMP 44 DEGREES AND STAINED.
Bass fishing is poor. To give you an example, last weekend's tournament on the lake was won by a professional who caught two keepers. With the very cold nights lately, Lake Oconee's water temperature has fallen very quickly. The main parts of the lake are actually a degree or two warmer than the backs of the coves. Sandy Creek actually had surface ice in the back of the cove this morning. The water is down about 4 inches from full pool due to the normal Georgia Power movement of water. The water is still stained to very muddy. The birds are very active chasing schools of shad, especially on the Richland Creek side near the Ritz and the entrance to Sandy Creek. Follow them to the bait fish. The suspended bass below are not aggressive at all, so you'll have to be patient with that Hopkins 3/4 ounce spoon. Change depths and watch the Lowrance. Main Lake humps and points are producing some fish. Fish slow and small. On the points use a 3/4 ounce Carolina rig with a Zoom Centipede in watermelon seed. Also pitch the main lake docks that are near deeper water with a shaky head jig and a Zoom Trick Worm in any dark color.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
LAKE SINCLAIR IS FULL, 48 DEGREES, STAINED BY ROGER MCKEE, 706 342 8555
Lake Sinclair is stained and 48 to 50 degrees over most of the lake. Largemouth fishing is fair to slow with the better bite occurring after the sun has been on the water a few hours warming it up a little. The deeper fish are still on the Hopkins spoon and Little George on the south end of the lake, maybe even a little better than last week. With temperatures forecasted in the teens for the upcoming weekend, a "shad kill" could really turn these fish on. Make sure your reels are spooled with #12 fluorocarbon line to improve both your feel and hook setting power. Crank bait fishing has picked up somewhat with the best action occurring half way back in the creeks and the short pockets off the main river. As the water continues to cool, focus on the smaller cranks. Use the Suddeth Little Earl, the original Gulp Balsa crank bait and the Rapala Shad Rap. The more productive color patterns have been Fire Tiger, Hot Mustard, chartreuse shad and green gable. Fish these baits in four to ten feet of water with a super slow retrieve on ten pound test P Line CX.
Now you can see samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm
January 8, 2010
JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 6.5 FEET, STAINED, 39 DEGREES
Bass fishing is slow. With the water temperatures ranging from 44 degrees in the morning to 49 degrees by afternoon, anglers are finding bites far and few. Still a small bass will bite small crank baits anywhere from the Alcovy River to up the Tussahaw Creek. The early morning bite, before 10:00am, still seems to be the most productive. Worms and various other forms of plastic seem to be the favorite among most but the larger bass will take deep diving crank baits while working points and deep ledges off the points. Wood will be the key here in find fish as the colder water temps are forcing them to hang tight. Suspending bass are located just of main lake or river points in 15 to 20 feet of water. Try to catch these suspended fish on a #5 jointed Shad Rap in the red crawfish color and the perch color DT10. Another good choice will be the Zoom mini lizard in green pumpkin rigged Carolina style with a 3/16 ounce weight. Try to match the color of the water with your bait as this seems to be the most productive way to get that bite. Jackson still has some big bass that are winter time fish that few anglers go after. Try a large 10 inch Culprit on 14 pound Sufix line and work sunny banks in the smaller coves after lunch. Any and all brush piles or stump beds that are holding fish need a good application of both the crank bait and Carolina rig.
Its official, the largemouth bass caught in Japan ties IGFA All-Tackle World Record. Freshwater fishing's "Holy Grail" now has dual holders; 22 lb 4 oz bass caught by Japan's Manabu Kurita matches IGFA record held for 77 years by Georgia's George Perry. See www.igfa.org for full details.
The 2010 Atlanta Boat Show hits the Georgia World Congress Center January 13 through 17, 2010. Meet Ken Sturdivant, Tim White, Rick Burns, Captain Ken West, Mike Maddalena, Bill Carson, Tony Narcisse, Captain Mack Farr, Mark Sullivan, Jon Peters and Rene Hess, Chris Scalley experts from the Atlanta Fly Fishing School and many more.
See www.atlantaboatshow.com for the Let's Go Fishing Seminars.
Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE! Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The 2009 Sonar Seminar dates: January 30, February 27, March 27, April 24, May 29, June 26, July 31, 2010 and all seminars start at 2pm. "All seminars are subject to change without notice".
Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting a FREE! Sonar Seminar and tank demonstrations at The Georgia Wildlife Federations Great Outdoors Show in Perry Georgia February 12 through 14, 2010.
If you would like to have a free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net and ask for the "Sonar Setup Quick List".
We have these BASS FISHING books for sale: "BASS FISHING LAKE ALLATOONA" "BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE", "BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL", "BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE" and "BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL". These books are written exclusively for bass and each book covers every week of the year. Each book $39.00. If you would like a sample of any book, send us an e mail to kensturdivant@earthlink.net. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.
We have 3 books that cover ALL SPECIES in these lakes, "52 WEEKS ON LAKE ALLATOONA, "52 WEEKS ON LAKE LANIER", and "52 WEEKS ON WEST POINT LAKE" on sale. Each book is $23.95. Our mailing address is: Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040.
Our DVD, "FINDING FISH WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY" is now on sale! You can see a FREE!
The 2010 Atlanta Boat Show and 2010 Spring Outdoor, Camping & RV Show coming to the Georgia World Congress Center the same weekend and we need your help. The 2010 Spring Outdoor, Camping & RV Show will be at the World Congress Center January 14-17, 2010. Both the Atlanta Boat Show and the 2010 Spring Outdoor, Camping & RV Show are offering a combo ticket at a DISCOUNT so attendees can get into both shows! See each web site for details about the combo ticket special.
Copyright 2010, Southern Fishing Schools Inc. Call us to set up a school, "Maps and Depth Finders" or "Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass". www.havefunfishing.com 770 889 2654.
The Great Outdoors Show Perry Georgia February 12-14, 2010 Seminar Schedule
SEMINARS ROQUEMORE CENTER
Friday
3:00 P.M. NAVICO-Ken Sturdivant-- Proper use of Marine Electronics
4:00 P.M. Captain Judy Helmey, Miss Judy Charters-- Inshore Fishing
5:00 P.M. Turkey Hunting with Marty Fisher
6:00 P.M. Snake Show-- Southeastern Reptile Rescue - Jason Clark
Saturday
1:00 P.M. Joey Mines–Freshwater Fishing
2:00 P.M. Turkey Hunting with Call Maker Dickie Champion
3:00 P.M. NAVICO-Ken Sturdivant-- Proper use of Marine Electronics
4:00 P.M. Captain Judy Helmey, Miss Judy Charters–Offshore Fishing
5:00 P.M. Snake Show-- Southeastern Reptile Rescue - Jason Clark
Sunday
11:00 A.M. Joey Mines–Freshwater Fishing
12:00 P.M. Turkey Hunting with Call Maker Dickie Champion
1:00 P.M. Captain Judy Helmey, Miss Judy Charters–Fishing the River Jetties
3:00 P.M. Snake Show Southeastern Reptile Rescue - Jason Clark
NORTH LAKE
Friday-- Saturday - Sunday
2:30 P.M. Retriever Dog Show - Roy Coffee
3:30 P.M. Georgia Kayak Club - Fresh/Salt Water Fishing w/ Randy Vining
Miller Murphy Howard Bldg
Georgia Wildlife Federation Grand America Turkey Calling Contest
Saturday 1:00 P.M.
Sunday 12:00 P.M.
