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Georgia Fishing Reports
| Fishing Reports for Georgia. If you have a report for your area send it to us at reports@bobberstop.com. Please put "Fishing Report" in the subject line of your e-mail. and please don't forget to include the location. |
** Last Update was made on 3 - 30 - 08 **
GEORGIA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS
LAKE ALLATOONA - No Report
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER - Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam for both
rainbow and browns has been fantastic! Most trout are being caught during lower water levels on
Swirleybird spinners, small spoons, and smaller crankbaits. Jet boat trips are great for this type of
fishing, just call 770-289-1543.
We're actively booking jet boat trips for walleyes, stripers, and shoal bass on the upper
Chattahoochee River. We're also beginning to book father/son or mother/daughter trips to see the
wildlife and seasonal changes with the jet boat.
Report By: Bill Vanderford
EUFUALA LAKE - No Report
HARTWELL LAKE - No Report
JACKSON LAKE - No Report
LAKE LANIER - Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier are creeping above 60 degrees, and the lake
level is about 15 feet below normal pool and rising. Spring has finally arrived and Lake Lanier's fish
are feeding heavily, especially bass, stripers, and crappies.
Stripers are being caught in 5 to 20 feet of water on live herring and 1/4 ounce Swirleybird spinners
near the backs of major creek channels. Crappies have moved into brush all over the lake, and are
beginning to spawn. The big spotted bass are going nuts chasing 3/16th and 1/8th ounce
Swirleybirds in less than 10 feet of water, and "Swirleybird Season" has begun and will get better as
the water warms!
Report By: Bill Vanderford
Lake Lanier Article: PRIME SPOTTED BASS TIME IS NOW
By Bill Vanderford
Many anglers look at our current conditions and cringe! High blue skies, bright sunlight, and almost
80 degree days are not considered “text book” times to catch more than 40 bass per day on Lake
Lanier. Add to that the fact that most spotted bass seem to be scattered along “nothing-looking” red
clay banks in less than 15 feet of water and are attacking a very small lure as though it had magical
qualities. All of these conditions go against the standard thinking of most bass fishermen, but that’s
exactly what is happening. The best part, however, is that these feisty bass will continue being
aggressive in the same general areas until the morning surface temperature exceeds 80 degrees. A
little more understanding of this prolific bass can help all anglers be more productive.
The spotted bass was first accurately identified in Kentucky in 1927, and for many years, it was
believed to be the only state they inhabited. Because of that mistake, they were called Kentucky
spotted bass. Since they have been found in certain areas from coast to coast, however, the
Kentucky has been dropped and they are referred to simply as spotted bass.
The coloration of the spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass, but contains a little more
brown. The section between the dark upper back and the lateral spotted line appears to have
diamond-shaped markings, and the lower side of most spotted bass has several lateral lines that
appear gold in color, while the largemouth is usually white. Additionally, with the mouth closed, a
spotted bass's lower jaw only comes even with its eye, while the largemouth's extends all the way
behind the eye,. The spotted bass's tongue contains a small patch of teeth that looks like a black
spot in the middle of the tongue, while the largemouth bass has a slick tongue.
Spotted bass were not stocked in Lanier, but lived in the original river systems that feed the lake.
They are a much hardier and faster spreading fish than the largemouth bass, and are more active
than any of the black bass. In fact, here at Lanier, nearly eighty to ninety percent of the black bass
catch is spotted bass.
Despite heavy fishing pressure and boat traffic, spotted bass grow quickly and in great numbers in
Lake Lanier, which allows it to keep its title of the best spotted bass lake in the United States. Even
when big weather changes such as major fronts occur, the spotted bass continue feeding,
especially during spring and early summer.
The spawning ritual of the spotted bass is very similar to that of the largemouth. They tend,
however, to do it later and at greater depths. In fact, spots prefer 5 to 20 feet, but can often be seen
spawning with the largemouth bass in the 2 to 5 feet of water. Also, spotted bass usually seek out
clay banks rather than the sand chosen by largemouth.
The most fun way to catch spotted bass during April and May is by casting 1/8th ounce Swirleybirds
from the shoreline or from a boat near shallow stumps, rocks, and other debris along red clay
banks. These practically invisible structures can be seen by using polarized sunglasses and looking
for darker shadows. After one is spotted, throw the Swirleybird several feet past the target and swim
it slowly near the object. If a male spotted bass is nearby, he'll nail it!
From now until all of the spawning activity is over can be the most productive time of year for
spotted bass at Lake Lanier. A bad day for me and my clients during this period is less than 40 bass
each day. All that is needed is a little knowledge of the lake, and a few Swirleybirds. These lures are
deadly both during the spawn and in the tougher post-spawn period. Anyone who can cast will
become an expert with this lure immediately. Since the tiny blade turns from the time it hits the water
until it reaches the rod tip at the end of the retrieve, the action is extremely tantalizing to spotted
bass and many other fish. These lures can often be as effective from the shoreline as they are from
a boat. From the bank, look for deeper rock or rip rap formations, blown down trees, docks, or over
brushy areas in many of the Corps of Engineers parks.
Fly fishing enthusiasts may also capitalize on this prime time of year for spotted bass by using the
new, much smaller, flyrod-sized Swirleybird. Regardless of how one goes about it, by thinking small
and slow and making plenty of casts, a day of fishing on Lake Lanier right now is guaranteed to
leave every angler with wonderful memories!
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted
into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-
289-1543, at JFish51@aol.com, or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com
LAKE OCONEE - No Report
RUSSELL LAKE - No Report
SINCLAIR LAKE - No Report
LAKE WEISS - No Report
GEORGIA FISHING REPORTS - LICENSES - REGULATIONS
LAKE ALLATOONA - No Report
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER - Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam for both
rainbow and browns has been fantastic! Most trout are being caught during lower water levels on
Swirleybird spinners, small spoons, and smaller crankbaits. Jet boat trips are great for this type of
fishing, just call 770-289-1543.
We're actively booking jet boat trips for walleyes, stripers, and shoal bass on the upper
Chattahoochee River. We're also beginning to book father/son or mother/daughter trips to see the
wildlife and seasonal changes with the jet boat.
Report By: Bill Vanderford
EUFUALA LAKE - No Report
HARTWELL LAKE - No Report
JACKSON LAKE - No Report
LAKE LANIER - Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier are creeping above 60 degrees, and the lake
level is about 15 feet below normal pool and rising. Spring has finally arrived and Lake Lanier's fish
are feeding heavily, especially bass, stripers, and crappies.
Stripers are being caught in 5 to 20 feet of water on live herring and 1/4 ounce Swirleybird spinners
near the backs of major creek channels. Crappies have moved into brush all over the lake, and are
beginning to spawn. The big spotted bass are going nuts chasing 3/16th and 1/8th ounce
Swirleybirds in less than 10 feet of water, and "Swirleybird Season" has begun and will get better as
the water warms!
Report By: Bill Vanderford
Lake Lanier Article: PRIME SPOTTED BASS TIME IS NOW
By Bill Vanderford
Many anglers look at our current conditions and cringe! High blue skies, bright sunlight, and almost
80 degree days are not considered “text book” times to catch more than 40 bass per day on Lake
Lanier. Add to that the fact that most spotted bass seem to be scattered along “nothing-looking” red
clay banks in less than 15 feet of water and are attacking a very small lure as though it had magical
qualities. All of these conditions go against the standard thinking of most bass fishermen, but that’s
exactly what is happening. The best part, however, is that these feisty bass will continue being
aggressive in the same general areas until the morning surface temperature exceeds 80 degrees. A
little more understanding of this prolific bass can help all anglers be more productive.
The spotted bass was first accurately identified in Kentucky in 1927, and for many years, it was
believed to be the only state they inhabited. Because of that mistake, they were called Kentucky
spotted bass. Since they have been found in certain areas from coast to coast, however, the
Kentucky has been dropped and they are referred to simply as spotted bass.
The coloration of the spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass, but contains a little more
brown. The section between the dark upper back and the lateral spotted line appears to have
diamond-shaped markings, and the lower side of most spotted bass has several lateral lines that
appear gold in color, while the largemouth is usually white. Additionally, with the mouth closed, a
spotted bass's lower jaw only comes even with its eye, while the largemouth's extends all the way
behind the eye,. The spotted bass's tongue contains a small patch of teeth that looks like a black
spot in the middle of the tongue, while the largemouth bass has a slick tongue.
Spotted bass were not stocked in Lanier, but lived in the original river systems that feed the lake.
They are a much hardier and faster spreading fish than the largemouth bass, and are more active
than any of the black bass. In fact, here at Lanier, nearly eighty to ninety percent of the black bass
catch is spotted bass.
Despite heavy fishing pressure and boat traffic, spotted bass grow quickly and in great numbers in
Lake Lanier, which allows it to keep its title of the best spotted bass lake in the United States. Even
when big weather changes such as major fronts occur, the spotted bass continue feeding,
especially during spring and early summer.
The spawning ritual of the spotted bass is very similar to that of the largemouth. They tend,
however, to do it later and at greater depths. In fact, spots prefer 5 to 20 feet, but can often be seen
spawning with the largemouth bass in the 2 to 5 feet of water. Also, spotted bass usually seek out
clay banks rather than the sand chosen by largemouth.
The most fun way to catch spotted bass during April and May is by casting 1/8th ounce Swirleybirds
from the shoreline or from a boat near shallow stumps, rocks, and other debris along red clay
banks. These practically invisible structures can be seen by using polarized sunglasses and looking
for darker shadows. After one is spotted, throw the Swirleybird several feet past the target and swim
it slowly near the object. If a male spotted bass is nearby, he'll nail it!
From now until all of the spawning activity is over can be the most productive time of year for
spotted bass at Lake Lanier. A bad day for me and my clients during this period is less than 40 bass
each day. All that is needed is a little knowledge of the lake, and a few Swirleybirds. These lures are
deadly both during the spawn and in the tougher post-spawn period. Anyone who can cast will
become an expert with this lure immediately. Since the tiny blade turns from the time it hits the water
until it reaches the rod tip at the end of the retrieve, the action is extremely tantalizing to spotted
bass and many other fish. These lures can often be as effective from the shoreline as they are from
a boat. From the bank, look for deeper rock or rip rap formations, blown down trees, docks, or over
brushy areas in many of the Corps of Engineers parks.
Fly fishing enthusiasts may also capitalize on this prime time of year for spotted bass by using the
new, much smaller, flyrod-sized Swirleybird. Regardless of how one goes about it, by thinking small
and slow and making plenty of casts, a day of fishing on Lake Lanier right now is guaranteed to
leave every angler with wonderful memories!
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted
into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-
289-1543, at JFish51@aol.com, or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com
LAKE OCONEE - No Report
RUSSELL LAKE - No Report
SINCLAIR LAKE - No Report
LAKE WEISS - No Report
