THE SOUTHERN FISHING REPORT
by Ken Sturdivant
106 Hickory Ridge
Cumming, Georgia 30040
 

February 21, 2003

LAKE EUFAULA IS DOWN .6 FEET, 52 DEGREES & VERY STAINED
By Jay Grogan's Eufaula Report ( www.fisheufaula.com )

Largemouth bass fishing is starting to pick up. Fishing really picked up this week as a round of near 70 degree sunny weather gave a boost to water temps putting some fish shallow in the flooded grass. The lower end of the lake below the Causeway was really strong, as the case is normally this time of year. Several reports came in from anglers around White Oak & Pataula catching some heavy fish. The upper end of the lake is strong for whites and Hybrids, which are starting to make there run up the hooch, a Rat-L-Trap will get your bit in just about any creek. I had a couple of good days this week as well, earlier in the week cranking 8-10 ledges with a Fat-Free Shad, and later in the week with a Rat-L-Trap fished over the flooded grass and brush. The heavy rains Sunday have put some heavy stain on the north end, but after today's cool temps the highs are predicted to be around 70 by the end of the week. Thanks to Billy Darby and Wayne Morgan for the updates this week.

Recent rains have the lake near full pool (190), Mondays elevation was 188.59, but look for the to drop as the Corps gets ready for spring. Like I said the upper end has some muddy water flowing in, and this will make its way south, but be less severe below Pataula. Water temps peaked up into the mid 60's during the late evenings, but will see saw this weeks as air temps make it back down into the 30's. For all the latest lake data click on the Corps of Engineer's link below, or call the hotline @ 229-768-2424.

The stable warm weather of this past week really helped bring the fish up out of the depths. Crank baits & Rat-L-Traps were the ticket as the shad moved high in the water column soaking up the sun. Running a Trap right under the surface just over the shoreline grass should get you bit. There still a good bit of fish holding on the 8-12 foot ledges in brush piles as well. Crank baits & Carolina rigs have been pulling them out all week. The Fishers of Men Trail is set for next week, this is a great trail to be apart of for all the info check out www.fomntt.com .

Crappie were strong this week as well, trolling seems to be the best method as the fish are following bait around the creek channels. Start off deeper say around 15-20 feet early and go shallower (5-10) as the day goes on. Chart/Blk jig and shiners were putting number of slabs in the boat.

Hybrids & Whites are starting there run as well, I caught plenty this week in the creeks above Florence working Rat-L-Traps around the shallow flats, wont be long till they hit the Pecan Orchards, those 8+ lb hybrids make for a great trip.

We teach "ON THE WATER SCHOOLS" for Maps and Depth Finders. Call for details. The "BASICS OF G P S" FREE! Seminar is March 29, 2003 at 2pm at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World.

 Ken Sturdivant is on the Professional Fishing Staff at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. Copyright 2002. Click on the following link for more information on upcoming dates for the
Southern Fishing Schools Inc."Fishing Seminar Series"