Your Fishing Reports

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


August 10, 2009

Captain Rick Reynolds's Speckled Sea trout in Autumn

After June 25th, the daylight hours start getting shorter, often as much as 5 minutes a day.
This signals that autumn is right around the corner. In mid August water temperatures
start cooling as well, and this is another signal for the Sea trout to start schooling and
gorging themselves on the abundant bait sources.
Most of the year we have been catching Sea trout with our lighter spinning gear and
popping corks. However as fall approaches, it is time to also break out the heavier stuff
to target this species. For me, the heavier gear consists of an 8 or 8 and ½ foot one-piece
conventional bait casting rod. I like a Key Largo Trout rod. I have this matched with a
6500 Abu rocket bait caster, loaded with 200 yards of 50 lb braided line. I like 50lb
Spectra braid, as it is just the right size to get a bird's nest undone, and no matter how
good you are with a bait caster, you will get a tangle from time to time.
The way that I rig a bait caster is simple. I thread on a couple small beads to use with a
stop knot that I will tie on last. Then I put on a size 10 cigar shaped float. I like little Joes
with a black bottom. To the bottom of that float, I usually glue on a sink washer. This is
to protect the float from the constant abuse the bottom of the float takes when casting.
Next I thread on another red bead. I never use store bought trout rigs. I have lost too
many fish that have broken the snap swivel that comes on these rigs. Instead buy your
own trout sinkers and leader material and tie your own. I use a 1 and ¼ ounce trout
sinker for this size 10 floats. To one end of the sinker I tie on any length leader I want,
but usually around 18 inches. I have tied them as short as 6 inches for targeting redfish
in the grass. Next I tie on the other end of the sinker to the line that was threaded
through the float. To the other end of the leader, I Snell a 1/0 Khale hook. Finally, I use
a 10 lb test piece of Mono to tie a "Uni Stop knot" on the line above the small bead.
Trim it off short and use it to set the depth you want to fish.
To Fish this setup, I would always anchor up current and drift my bait with the current
down the structure or bank that I am fishing. I would keep the bait caster in free spool
and let the current carry it as much as I wanted it to, often up to 60 yards or more. This
allows you to anchor and cover an enormous amount of water without having to
reposition the boat. If you got a bite further away, than you liked, let out your anchor
rope to shorten that distance. Occasionally, you will need to pull anchor and reposition
the boat closer, but do this quietly.
Since a lot of the 10-inch corks are visible this is an ideal way to try to locate schooling
trout. This is where many fishermen get the most pleasure inshore fishing, and that is
seeing that large float disappear in a flash from a strike from a nice trout.
Positive reasons for using a Traditional Setup
? Cover a lot of water
? Able to cast into the wind
? Visible from far distances
? Very Long Casts can be achieved
? Large floats, Long rods, and Heavy bait casters are Sometimes Needed for Large
Redfish and Large Striped Bass
? Excitement delivered when a Tall Float disappears
I find this to be the perfect inshore set up for trout and bull reds in the fall of the year.
For the die hard spinning reel users, you can use this same set up, but use a number 6
little Joe float and a ½ ounce sinker. Below is a picture of a typical traditional set up.
Also pictured is a short rig that I tied for targeting Bull Reds.
Next is a traditional setup on a spinning rod
This above picture is a lighter version of the bait caster. The bait caster is using a 10-inch
float whereas the spinning outfit is using a 6-inch float and a ½ ounce sinker.
However we still carry plenty of popping cork outfits. Below is a very good outfit. Notice
that I also pinched on a 3/8-ounce sinker on the titanium shaft of the Offshore Extreme
egg float.
During this time of the year I like fishing with live bait. If you don't want to buy your
bait, then catch it with a cast net. Live shrimp are around and easy to catch from mid
August thru mid November. That's not to say you can't catch them after November, but
the water is much colder and you will probably get wet. Other Plentiful baits are finger
mullet, menhaden and mud minnows. All these can be caught with a cast net. However
mud minnows are easier caught with a mud minnow trap.
When fishing for trout and redfish, I hook the shrimp under the horn on top of their head
in between the black spots. Try to make your first cast, the best cast, as shrimp will live
much longer if you don't cast them multiple times. Every time you cast a shrimp, you are
putting a strain on their necks. That is why I like using a bait caster. Make your cast and
leave the bail open and let the tide pull your bait down current. This is a very natural way
to present this bait. When the cork sinks, then close the bail and set the hook. Never grab
braided line with your bare hand as if it's a bull red or a shark, the line will be moving off
the reel so fast that it will cut you.
My favorite time to target sea trout is daybreak and the first of the incoming tide. That
will give you a full 6 hours of incoming water. I also like fishing the first 3 hours of the
outgoing as well, so you can plan for a full day of nothing but trout fishing. You can also
get in some time quality time hunting for redfish at high tide. I always anchor up current
from where I think the fish are. Then I cast back towards the structure and let the tide
wash my bait up around where I think the fish are.
What is structure?
? Oyster rakes that protrude out from the bank of the river
? Shadows from the bank of the river
? Rips formed by the current. (My favorite)
? Gullies from where the water is coming out of the marsh, into the river
? Intersections of creek mouths and the river
? Dock poles
? Grass steps (where grass is growing on the bank, but at high tide it is submerged,
but there is more grass above the water) excellent for trout and redfish.
? The side of an island that faces the ocean
These are things I look for, but structure could be as subtle as a dip in the otherwise Flat
River or creek bottom. The best way to find new areas is to ride around at low tide and
look for this stuff.
The following pictures are of fish catches, but look at the background to see if you can
spot the structure that we were fishing.
Oyster Rakes!
Fishing the rocks can be very interesting!
Grass Steps!
Docks and Pilings!
Points, live oysters, and banks covered with dead white oysters!
Captain Jack McGowan's Weekly Fishing Report!
Fishing or should I say, "Catching has been up and down and little of both, but overall
good." Good quality fish. Some days when you think fishing could be a struggle the bite
has been good. Despite lots of dirty water conditions can change rapidly. An area had a
poor bite the next day can yield a strong bite or vice versa. What's going on? It's nature.
Patterns are already being to change. Sea trout that were on the beachfront now be found
in the sounds. There are lot of small sea trout and redfish. Good numbers of black drum
and sheepshead can be found hanging around shelly points. Massive Bonnethead sharks
are prowling the coastal waters of Carolina and Georgia. These are top end Bonnethead
shark that hurt fishing tackle if played incorrectly. Large sand bar sharks are in the
sounds. Sand bar sharks are fish that must be released, but lots of fun to catch. There have
been a few tarpon being hooked up, so far not many being landed. Most of the tarpon are
being caught on live or dead mullet. Not lots of big ocean menhaden to be found. On
some mornings small menhaden can be found all the way from Thunderbolt to South
Carolina. Dolphins quickly show up when baitfish are present. Bait fish that were
everywhere could quickly vanish. Those who enjoy crabbing are saying we gotten too
much rain and crabbing isn't productive. The thought is the crabs are seeking saltier
water. Shrimping still looks good. Don Adams, of Adams Bait House, is finding good
quantity and quality shrimp. Those throwing a cast net likewise are finding little trouble
in finding shrimp. Some flounder being caught. The best bite this week has been redfish
and sea trout.
Intense heat and afternoon storms has meant the best fishing has been during the morning
hours. A few tarpon hookups during the early evening but for the most part the best
fishing has been during the morning. Anticipate this to be the case for the next several
days. Tides for the coming week looks good. The following week evening tides will be
springing, but for the coming weeks tides should be good. During the summer try to fish
early to beat the heat. When seeking sea trout try to fish current. Anticipate more sea
trout action on the inside as patterns begin to change to a fall pattern. Although the
flounder bite has been slow action will likely be picking up on through September.
Hope this report is of help and interest! Only keep what you plan to eat and release the
rest! Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan
Welcome to Spinner Shark-Ville!
Teeth-a-plenty!
Nice spinner shark that I caught while filming a show on Coastal fishing with Captain
Judy! These shows will be available soon!
Blurred, but this is a spinner shark "getting a whole lot of air!"
Large red fish caught in Wassaw Sound
Captain Ray Crawley of Miss Judy Charters and Ken Wheeler showing us not only one
nice red fish, but also a bag full. The red fish Ken is showing us barely fit into the legal
Georgia slot limit of 14 -23 inches. The larger ones better known as the "Trophy Red
Fish" were released and are getting even bigger for their next showing! Captain Ray is
very selective with bait used. He catches his own culling through them and only using
what he thinks is the best bait for any particular fish day. The bait for this day was fresh
caught finger mullet! All fish caught and released just didn't hit this bait offering, "they
inhaled it!"
The Inshore Catching Opportunity in Savannah, Georgia is Great!
All is well in the fishing catching world with inshore fishermen getting an opportunity to
catch large trophy red fish. Although this doesn't happen to everyone everyday the hook
up opportunity is definitely there. For those that like to go artificial I suggest using a bait
that is rigged weed less, because you are going to be fishing in the a grass a lot!
Some inshore fishermen prefer one tide over the other. For instance low to high, which
means the tide is already out and is just about to change. During this tide stage meaning
"slack" is the time to take a "look see." Red fish are normally staging in the deeper water
waiting to get to the feeding grounds. I suggest picking areas that have some sort of flat
out in front. This mean an area that floods quick, but stays shallows for a good two
hours. These flats out in front of oyster rakes offer the old red fish lots of digging up
feeding opportunities. While feed in this shallow water they don't have to worry about
those fish that fit into the predator category, such as sharks and porpoises. The best news
is this most sharks such as the bonnet head has "crab crunching" on the mind. However,
if the shark is big enough as well as hungry enough "red fish be gone down the hatch!"
As far as the porpoise they are always a thread to the red fish. However, during this time
for the porpoises there is plenty other swimming fish types in the sea. So therefore the
only thing that the red fish worries about now is mostly packing food in its stomach!
Lets turn the tide for a moment. Lets assume you have an out going tide, which means
those red fish in the grass are going to be "feeding their way out." These fish are going
into feeding reverse from what they did from the "low to high tide stage." You have bite
opportunity in the grass while the tide is falling, but you need to be careful. The reason
being is you don't want to get in a "high and dry" situation. When the tides rushes out
areas that have flats out in front lose depth fast leaving you with "no water quick!" The
bottom line I always like to fish an incoming tide stage. Believe me if you are not
familiar with the tide or the areas that you are fishing this is best way to go "low to high!"
I suggest when fishing in shallow water that you use finger mullet or large mud minnows.
The best real time bait to use at this time is "alive or fresh dead mullet cut in parts like a
loaf of bread or the whole fish, if the size is appropriate." Believe me fresh mullet scent
gets a red fish's attention. Please don't forget that when it comes to a red fish's feeding
"it's a tails up heads down" kind of a deal!
This is Captain Ray's secret ultra light adjustable float rig set up.
He basically takes a three feet piece of 15 to 20 pound test monofilament line
"fluorocarbon or not" and ties on a #2 or #4 Khale hook also referred to as a "Wide Gap
hook." He then slides on a very small red bead, two small bullet weights, then slides on
the float, another small bead, and then he ties on a slipknot. This knot allows you to
move the float up and down on the line to adjust bait depth. After putting all this together
he them ties a loop knot, which he can just attach his main line to. This type of float
design is specifically made and used for shallow fishing in less than a foot of water for
red fish. I know it might be hard to see from picture taken, but with this rig you can
successfully be used in 1 to 2 feet of water. The reason is there is no leader or stationary
sinker involved. All parts slide and move easily.
Cameron Cohn is holding up his prize of a catch!
Cameron Cohn is holding up his prize of a catch! This is a 40 inch red fish that he caught
on a lipped hooked mullet last month while fishing the Sapelo Island area during a spring
tide. According to the story, while Cameron and his father Jerry Cohn poled through the
flooded marsh this fish was doing the "heads down tails up" feeding drill. Cameron
spotted the fish, picked up his rod, which was baited up with a whole mullet. He then
walked to the bow, dropped the bait right in front of the fish, and the fish inhaled it!
After the red fish's partaking of the lipped hooked mullet it basically started swimming
away. After that the rest is history with lots of splashes and crashes as this big fish made
way through the spartina! You got to have loved the good fish story! Congratulations
Cameron!
Near Shore Artificial Reefs
The August 9, 2009 Spanish Mackerel "Bite Program" has started!
Back in the real old days my father always said, "After August 9 the Spanish mackerel
start feeding on the surface." Although we have had Spanish mackerel on the artificial
reefs since April we don't see them feeding on the surface much. If we did, it didn't last
long. And even if we did see them schooling on the surface it's hard to get them to hit
anything that you throw at them. According to my father around August 9 or there after
the Spanish start schooling and feeding heavy on the surface. My father told me the
reason behind this is the fact that this is the time that the mackerel jump to disburse their
eggs. My father told me after the job of jumping about and the spreading of the eggs the
fish started schooling more in the upper water column. My father 's reasoning behind
this change was the fact that "The fish are lighter as well as happier!" Now before you
go crazy, No I did not check with anyone about "whether or not this is true!" The reason
being is that it doesn't matter why they do it! I'm just passing on what I know and
offering up the "Spanish mackerel whereabouts fishing report!" This is happening right
now big time!
Savannah Snapper Banks
The offshore Bottom Bite is Big!
You know the old saying, "A picture can say a thousands words!"...well here's one for
you! Captain Kathy Brown is only showing us half of this gag grouper, which leads into
the fact that this was a big one for sure! My father would have said this "This grouper
was so big that it wouldn't even fit in the picture! Not only that, but the picture probably
weighted way over 20 pounds!" Got to love a fisherman and their tails!
This big gag was caught in about 100 feet of water while fishing the Savannah Snapper
Banks with a live vermilion snapper! As you can see this fish couldn't pass the bait by.
So therefore for those that get the chance go here and use this bait. The only decision
you have to make now is "your boat or mine!"
The whole truth showing...the rest of the gag grouper!
Gulf Stream
The blue water bite has now come to us!
Captain Ken Kennickell controlling a just caught nice bull dolphin!
This is a blue water fish that can be caught now while fishing the green water area! Now
is the time to get your best chances at catching a dolphin, tuna, Wahoo, and Sailfish from
the shore to the blue water! It can happen especially when the water temperatures are all
the same!
The best news about this report is the fact that you don't have troll. All you have to do is
fish regular whether it's plain bottom fishing or just slow trolling or drifting about the
dolphin come to you! I suggest having some same pieces of cut up squid or fish set aside
so that you will have something to throw at them on first sight. If the dolphin is hungry
they will "immediately light up" and then eat what you have thrown out. All you need is
a single hook with squid or cut fish on it and that should offer you the best chances for a
"dolphin feeding frenzy!" Now if there is two or more fish and they all have their hungry
lights on leave the first fish in the water until you have hooked the second fish up. Then
boat the first fish and leave the second hooked up fish in the water. Your next hooked up
should be number three! If you keep pitching small amount of cut fish or squid and the
fish stay in the eating mode you can catch them all!
Freshies Suggestion
Crayfish "Blinded By The Light!"
For those of you out there that like fresh crayfish, here's a great suggestion: Firstly,
since I am suggesting " a fresh crayfish" this means that you just might have to catch
your own. So therefore this is a two-part suggestion! One part for catching and one part
for eating! It's all up to you!
According to my source "a crayfish is blinded by the light!" Here's how he catches
them. The best time to plan this ordeal is at night! Freshwater rivers where rocks are
covered with around 2 foot of water are great areas to start this quest. The bottom line if
you can see them and your flashlight beam hits them in the eyes they become motion-less
almost like wax figures. Then all there is left to do is reach down and grab them. Don't
forget your bucket!
"Little Miss Judy's believe It or Not!"
Captain Sherman Helmey "The original legend!" and Captain Judy
This is my father and I! This photo was taken in the mid eighties while sitting on the last
boat that he had built in 1980, which was named "Miss Jerry!" The dog lying beside my
father was Miss Judy dog. All dogs were named Judy and all boats were either called
Miss Jerry after my mother or Miss Judy after me! This resulted in much mayhem in the
morning with daddy calling "Judy Judy Judy" and all asking "Judy Dog or Judy
Daughter!" So with that being said. From the left to the right in this photo we have
"Judy Dog, Daddy, and Judy Daughter!"
"Drinking Could Have Been Involved!"
I was having a conversation the other day and I found myself saying, "Here's what daddy
would have said about that!" So therefore with that thought in mind here's just a few of
the things that my father has said at one time or the other. I must add, "Drinking could
have been involved!"
Since I mentioned drinking might have been involved here a few comments that daddy
may have made while visiting his local watering hole. If it was crowded in the bar and he
wanted to be seen or wanted to get through the crowd fast he would say, "Wet Paint!" I
have seen him do this many times with great results. The crowd exactly did part so that
dear old dad could make way! Of course I was always in tow!
My father was a cruiser, meaning once arriving at the bar after ordering a drink he always
looked about even while he was having a conversation. If he happened to see someone
that he wanted to ask to dance or try to talk too even if they were with someone else he
would say, "Son, it's time to go sell your peanuts somewhere else!" I have to admit this
was a 50/50 statement. Sometimes it worked and other times it didn't! The bottom line
is this "When he said it he meant it and those listening knew it too!"
My father loved the word "Sapphire!" This was the word that he used when he saw a
beautiful woman that turned his head. Now, since I was there most of the time I must
add, it didn't matter whether he was with someone or not! When I heard this word I knew
some sort of action "good or bad" with just about to take place. In other words "daddy
moves were just about to be made!" I do have to say, "Woman loved my father!" I
watched many a time as they migrated toward him just like "fish stalking bait."
My father was married a total of 8 times. This boils down to 6 stepmothers from 7 to 25
years old. All were pleasant, some he married twice, and others were just plain "nuts!"
The bottom line is this, "Even though my father was married all these times he really
never stopped dating!"
My father word for "ladies in large hats" (also sometimes referred to as "ladies of the
evening!") was "Peacocks!" As a small child I always looked for their feathers, but never
could find them!
In the mid-seventies, my father had a girlfriend named "Lilia Bland!" Her name goes
down on my list as one of the "most interesting names of all times." She reminded me of
the lady that played "Ms Kitty" on the show "Gun Smoke!" This brings to mind that my
father loved "Gun Smoke!"
No matter what I had a very interesting childhood. And even though these memories are
old ones I remember them like they were only made yesterday! With all this being said,
"and with a tear in my eye" I certainly do miss my dad!

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



August 14, 2009



LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 6.1 FEET, CLEAR AND 84 DEGREES.



Bass fishing has been relatively slow all week. A few early fish are small and will take small crank baits and jigs. Fish in the backs of the major creeks and the bass are after Bang A Lures and count down #7 silver blue and silver black back Rapalas. Cast baits to the mud banks and simply twitch the bait. A Texas rigged Zoom u tail or a Bush Hog in the 5 inch size can take a few small fish. Be sure to add some JJ's Magic extra scent to attract the fish. There are a few fish roaming the shallows but these fish are moving all day and hard to pattern. Cast an all green or pumpkin Zoom trick worm with a tiny 1/6 ounce weight and dead stick the bait. Jigs are worth casting to these same areas but be sure to add some scent.



Spotted bass are deep and hugging the bottom. The points at 28 feet deep around Lake Lanier Islands and the deep side of the main lake reef markers are the places to fish. The top water bite is best with a large Chug Bug. Really make it stir up the water. The drop shot with a ¼ ounce sinker and a hand poured Bass Pro Shops finesse worm is your best bait with the spots so close to the bottom. Colors is not that critical with the fish are as deep as 30 and more. The thermocline has been developed and has seemed to be holding around the 30 foot mark. That is where the spotted bass are. Fish brush piles and wood on points and humps at these depths for success. Have a "ready rod" bait with the large Chug Bug ready for when fish come up and surface. Make a few casts with this noisy bait to wake the fish up.



Striper fishing is fair to good and there is a good trolling bite with single jigs on lead core or monofilament. Some good fish are being caught on live blue back herring and large or jumbo shiners. Be sure to get enough bait to keep fresh lively bait ready at all times. Stripers are feeding right in the middle of the day to late afternoon. The fish are reacting to dropping baits straight down. In the creek mouths use a two down rods and have at least a 2 clear ounce sinker. Depths will vary depending on the sunlight and the rain, if we get any. The best depths are 29 to 50 feet and be sure to use at least a 6 foot leader and red hooks on live baits. Keeping the line bait in the strike zone is critical to your success. If fishing slow during any period, try trolling the umbrella rig or single buck tails 70 to 120 feet behind your boat. Boat speed is still critical and 2.7 miles an hour is best. Striper fish all the way around the deep water out in front of Lake Lanier Islands and also in Big Creek.



Crappie fishing is fair and the fish are already up on the lakes bridges day and night. Depths are from 10 to 15 feet and live bait is best. Look up lake at the shallower depths from 5 to 8 feet both day and night.



August 14, 2009



WEST POINT LAKE IS FULL, CLEAR & 89 DEGREES BY CHRIS BRACKETT



Bass fishing has been fair. Up lake the bass are being caught on bridge columns and brush piles in the 10 to 15 feet range. Good baits this week has been a 1/8ounce shakey head rigged with a sand color finesse worm. A 3/8 ounce Sworming Hornet Swim Head has been working also around the bridges. The bit factor this week has been the small shad schooling up. If you don't see any bait, leave that area. Down lake the fishing is similar but the top water bite has been much better. We have been using Zara Spooks and Lucky Craft Sammy's around main lake points and shoals.



Hybrid and striper fishing has been on the slow side this week. We are still catching fish on down lined shad and free lines. Most of our bites are coming out of the 25ft depth. I have been moving around a lot and located schools that bite. If you can see the fish on your Lowrance and they don't bite, find a new school until success. Top water in the early mornings late evening has been fair around yellow jacket beach area and around the Railroad trestle. Good baits to use are Rooster tails, pop-n Corks and any walking style top water.



Crappie fishing is slow. Most all fishing is done after dark this time of year. Look to find fish around bridges, docks, and deep blow downs this time of year stacked up. Live bait is the bait of choice.



August 14, 2009

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LAKE ALLATOONA IS DOWN 3.2 FEET, CLEAR AND 88 DEGREES



This Lake Allatoona Bass fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Craig Miller from The Dugout.



Bas fishing is tough and it's just summertime. The lake level is starting to fall a little bit every week. This seems to be pushing the fish closer to any cover. During the day, fish any main lake points with small football style jigs or Shaky Heads. Use a 3/8 ounce Bass Patrol Jig in brown tipped with a 3" NetBait Twin Tail Grub. Drag this bait very slowly on the bottom to attract bites. If the jig doesn't produce go to the Shaky Head. A 3/16 or ¼ ounce jig head with a 6" Robo Worm in the New Kerrlicious color should do the job. Be sure to fish this bait on 8 to 10 lb. fluorocarbon line. This will help you feel the subtle bites. In the evening, fishing crankbaits on steep rock banks will produce fish. Cast a Norman DLN in lavender shad or chartreuse blue back. Parallel the banks and use a Stop and Go Retrieve. Later in the evenings, there are reports of anglers catching decent fish on nighttime spinnerbaits on the main lake points. For this technique, use a Punisher ¾ ounce short arm spinnerbait. This large spinnerbait let anglers slow down and keep the bait on and next to the bottom.

This Allatoona lake striper and hybrid report fishing report has been brought to you exclusively by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service 770 827-6282 www.firstbiteguideservice.com

Line side fishing is fair after the full moon last week. This moon really slowed the bite down. The fish are still scatter up and down in the water column out over the river channel. They are starting to bust top water along with the white bass but unlike the white bass which will stay up for 5 to 10 minutes at a time. The hybrids and stripers are only staying up for seconds. Down lining live bait is working fair off of any main lake point down south. Be sure to carry a lot of bait with you. When down lining, change your bait frequently if you are not getting bit. Trolling is your best bet if you want to catch numbers. Most of the fish we caught this week came on Mack Farr umbrella rigs. I am pulling my rigs at 3.4 miles and hour 125 feet behind the boat. Make sure you have a umbrella rig retriever on board. There nothing worst than to be catching fish and lose your rigs. White bass fishing is still the best bite on the lake. These fish are schooling on top from sun up to sun down. Just ride until you find them. Mid lake has been the best. A Zara Spook Jr, Popping corks and Rooster Tails are working best for these little line sides. If you like to talk striper fishing then you need to visit our fishing forum. www.lakeallatoonafishing.net this site is about striper fishing on Lake Allatoona. The forum is for the whole family. Please come visit us. We still have a few days left open for August, give me a call at 770 827 6282 to book your trip today.



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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.



August 14, 2009



LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 5.0 FEET, 83 DEGREES, CLEAR BY TIM WHITE RAPALA PRO STAFF



Bass fishing has been really slow this past week. Small fish and light weights are all anglers are talking about. It has been really hot with temperatures rising up to the 99 degree mark and making fishing tough. The lack of sufficient rain has made it tough for the majority of the anglers. Main lake points are getting fished to death, one angler pointed out. A lot of anglers are holding off until cooler weather arrives. The lack of rain has affected the creeks and streams that feed the lake, thus reducing the oxygen levels in some parts along the main body of water. Finding current will be the key to finding the more active bass. With water temperatures rising into the upper 80's by the afternoon hour, jigs and Carolina rigs seem to be getting the majority of attention. One angler called and said he was using small 1/4 ounce spoon under the bridges and catching fish, but at least half of them were small or short fish. A limit of five bass are weighing in between 6 1/2 and 8 1/2 pounds and a ten pounder sack will usually win. I fish the ledges around the two bridges near Portman Marina with a 1/4 ounce twin tail jig. If you get a bite once every hour, this would constitute a good day. Dark green or brown will do.



Hartwell Waypoints for Bass Fishing are on Sale now. For $99.00, we will send you 40 GPS locations for year round Bass Fishing on Lake Hartwell by Tim White. You MUST load these locations into a GPS unit to find these locations.



August 14, 2009



LAKE RUSSELL IS DOWN 3.3 FEET, 84 DEGREES AND CLEAR BY TIM WHITE RAPALA PRO STAFF



Bass fishing has been a little tough this past week. Day time highs have been climbing into the upper 90's with high humidity to boot. We are fishing two areas on the lake both looking similar to each other. One is up in the Savannah River on the left hand side just before you reach Richard B. Russell Park. The channel runs really close to the steep rocky ledge and the bass will hide among the big rocks. Finesse worms, three inch tube baits and a 1/4 ounce or 3/16 ounce jig are my weapons of choice on eight or ten pound test Sufix line on both a spinning and casting rod. A very slow presentation is a must and moving the bait an inch or two at a time or letting it fall off one rock to another and just letting it sit is a good strategy. These bass are not really aggressive and you might not feel the bite. A good indicator will be line movement or feeling a small amount of weight added to your line is all that will happen. Staying focused and keeping in touch with your bait will be the key factor on catching the fish.



August 14, 2009



CLARKS HILL IS DOWN 5.1 FEET, 85 DEGREES AND CLEAR BY TIM WHITE RAPALA PRO STAFF



Bass fishing is slow. Just as predicted in my last weeks report, the full moon passed and the Bass fishing picked up some. Last Saturday it took about 15 pounds to win the day tournament and about nine pounds to win the night tournament. This is about a three pound increase over last week. Water temperatures are climbing up to the 87 degree mark, according to Tom Hall of S. Carolina. Fishing still gets a little tough at times and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) did report last week some dying off of blue backs and other fish due to the low oxygen levels and hot water temperatures. The best depth to fish is between 7 1/2 to about 16 feet. After this the oxygen levels decrease and the bass are reluctant to bite. Tom writes that some bass are starting to school first thing in the morning and again right before dark. Soft plastic jerk baits and X-Raps are excellent baits on these schooling bass. Finesse worms or Carolina rigs and jigs are also working on the non schooling fish. You will only find this schooling activity in the mouths of the major creeks, reports Tom. Hopefully some good rain will fall on the lake and increase the oxygen levels. When this happens, the bass will turn on like a light switch. Slow presentations are a must. Hopefully, the heat wave won't last much longer.



The new book, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL LAKE, by Tim White is on sale now. Get 52 weeks of bass fishing reports and over 40 bass fishing locations for this popular lake. Send Ken an e mail for a sample to info@havefunfishing.com



August 14, 2009



LAKE SEMINOLE IS DOWN 1.1 FEET, CLEAR, 87 DEGREES



Bass fishing has been slow lake wide. Spinner baits, worms and lizards are catching a few small fish. Use a bright Senko with no weight around the mid lake grass beds and add a small nail weight to get the bait under the grass. Flipping worms or jigs around and in heavy grass in Fish Pond Drain can draw strikes. The gourd green u tail Zoom worms on a Texas rig is fair just fish these baits slowly. Add scent using Jack's Juice in the garlic flavor and work the lures in the same locations often. Most crank baits are slow but up the river use the 3/8 ounce spinner bait with all silver blades and slow this bait on the wood on the banks. Shad Raps in the #7 size in shad color right on the banks cover later each day can draw strikes.



Crappie fishing is fair and these fish will spend the summer on the river and the lower lake creeks. Fish are on the bottom at 13 feet or more but can be tough to catch. Use live minnows after trolling bright Hal Flies and Deep South Jigs until the fish are found then use both live bait and jigs.




August 14, 2009



LAKE EUFAULA IS FULL AND 88 DEGREES & CLEAR



Bass fishing is hit or miss with the better hits coming during the late evenings. Fish along the main river ledges in front of Cowikee Creek with Carolina rigs. Carolina rigged Zoom u tales in June bug can help get the bigger fish. The weather looks to remain about the same with highs near 90 and scattered afternoon thunder storms. This will keep the conditions pretty much the same. This will push more fish out to the ledges concentrating them in a few places. Otherwise the fish will remain scattered from the shallow grass down to 20+ feet. Mann's 20+ in Citrus shad has been working. Try dropping back to a smaller Poe's 300 for the creek ledges. If they don't take the crank baits slowly dragging worms of the ledges down to 20 feet may get you bit. For those who can get out early, Pop-R's and the Devil Horse around the grass will produce.



Crappie have been off the flats at Creektown holding along the main river channel in 18 to 20 feet. There are a lot of boats strung form Cowikee Creek south this week also.



August 14, 2009



LAKE WEISS IS AT .48 FEET BELOW FULL POOL STAINED AND 86 DEGREES



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



Bass fishing is great and most fish are deep on the creek and river channel ledges in 8-14 feet of water. These fish are being caught on crank baits, spinner baits, jigs and Carolina rigged plastics. Some bass are still on the banks in 3 to 6 feet of water, flipping docks with jigs and tube baits is producing some good fish. Casting shallow running crank baits down deeper banks near the spawning area's is catching fish also.


Striper fishing is fair and they have moved back to the creeks and rivers looking for cooler water and following the shad migration. The Cave Hole in Little River is producing fish early and late on live shad down lined and free lined. Little Spring Creek is also producing some good fishing during the week when there is very little boat traffic. The lower Chattooga River above and below the Gaylesville bridge is also producing some fish on live shad down lined and free lined.



Crappie fishing is poor and the crappie have mostly moved back to the river and creek channels in 12 to 18 feet of water on the drop offs. Spider rigging with minnows and Jiffy Jigs is the ways to catch these summer fish. Shooting docks with a 1/24th ounce Jiffy Jig is also producing a few fish.


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


August 14, 2009



LAKE OCONEE IS 12 TO 18 INCHES BELOW FULL POOL, 87 DEGREES

Lake Oconee is currently down 6 to 12 inches. Most of the lake is around 86 degrees with a light stain. Bass fishing is very slow. It's what we expect in mid August. The best time to catch fish is at night or the very early morning. The morning top-water bite is slowing down. The fish have definitely migrated to the deep water. Fish deep, slow and use small baits. It's easy to spot the suspended fish in about 15 feet of water. Run a deep diving crank bait past their nose, nice and slow, and don't forget to pause occasionally and let the bait float upward. They are lethargic but you'll trigger some bites. A 1/2 ounce drop shot in the creek beds and ledges will produce some nice fish. Make sure you are in 15 to 25 feet of water. Jig a Hopkins 3/4 ounce spoon or a Little George off the bottom or let a 1/4 ounce chrome blue Rat L Trap fall to the bottom and use a slow variable retrieve. And don't forget the old reliable ¾ ounce Carolina rig with a Zoom centipede or Zoom brush hog, used on main lake points. It is very important to find some bait fish so watch that Lowrance. A key factor at Lake Oconee is to always try to be on the water when Georgia Power is moving water.

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August 14, 2009



LAKE SINCLAIR IS DOWN 2.4 FEET, 87 DEGREES, CLEAR



Bass fishing has slowed down but some can still be caught. Top water baits are still working on some mornings, and not at all on other days. An angler should spend no more than an hour or so trying without success; then try other patterns. Most top water fish are being caught along main river seawalls, points, docks, and blow downs on buzz baits, Pop R, Chug Bug, Super Spook and Baby Torpedo. Color doesn't usually matter that much. Smaller baits with light weights are more consistent and the average size of fish caught may also be smaller. Zoom Finesse and U Tale worms teamed with 1/8 or 3/16 ounce weights are good choices along with tubes rigged Texas style. Add some JJ's Magic scent to any of your soft plastics. Bass are also using the normal summer points, humps, and ledges. Depths are averaging from 8 to 15 feet on most of the lake. Cranking and Carolina rigging are the most consistent ways to catch these fish. Some good crank baits are Fat Free Shads in ½ and ¾-ounce, Rapala DT10 and DT16, Poe's 300 and 400, and Norman DD14 and DD22. Most any of the shad and chartreuse patterns will work. A trick worm works great on the Carolina rig. Use a 3 foot leader of 12 pound line with 14 to 17 pound main line and a half ounce weight.



Crappie are biting if the angler can find them. Deeper docks along the main river runs are still producing. Try a 1/24-ounce Hal Fly and shoot it under the docks. Allow it to fall a few seconds before starting the retrieve. Use a slow retrieve with occasional twitches. Crappie are also holding tight to deep trees and brush piles. Crappie jigs, tubes, and minnows will all work. Depths are mostly from 8 to 15 feet deep. A few anglers are having success at night around the dock lights. Hal Flies or other jigs are the ticket.



August 14, 2009



JACKSON LAKE IS DOWN 2.3 FEET, CLEAR AND 85 DEGREES BY ED CAVENDER.


Bass fishing is slow with the weeks passing full moon and the heat. The best bet this week is to find the fastest moving water possible and stay there. Docks and rocks in depths from 7 to 15 ft. is where the bass are hiding. Notice I said hiding because they are tight to cover for the most part. A Zoom Texas rigged U tail worm and a four inch Rattle finesse worm will get the job done. The smaller spots are roaming about all day and these fish will be the first to bite. If your get the small bites, stay put and fish a little deeper. The bucket mouths and bigger bass are holding tight to cover not far away. A very slow approach will be necessary as the water temperatures will be in the mid 80's and up. Stay out of the backs of the creeks and concentrate all your efforts out where the current is. Small baits and slow retrieves and several casts to each area will be best for another 10 days.



We are looking for members in a brand new central GA tournament trail. Check out our USA Bassin schedule www.usabassin.com/modules.php?name=Divisions&divisionID=155 Chat up our GON Forum thread at: http://forum.gon.com/showthread.php?t=350553



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: August 29, September 26, October 31, November 28 and December 26, 200. All seminars start at 2pm and are subject to change without notice



Join Lowrance Pro Staffer, Ken Sturdivant in White Georgia at Nutter Rod and Reel Repair on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 2pm for an in depth Sonar Seminar. See the new Lowrance HDS machines. Nutter Rod and Reel is located at 3383 Hwy 411, White Georgia 30184, 770 386 3978. Learn how it works, what it can see and now to tune the new Lowrance High Definition Systems. See www.nutterrodandreel.com for details.



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, BASS FISHING CLARKS HILL 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!



Copyright 2009, 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.