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

February 5, 2010

LAKE LANIER IS FULL AND CREEKS ARE VERY STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND 43 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is slow. And now more rain. So far today, we have had 3 inches of rain in Cumming. The bass are deep and we have seen the fish in 35 feet of water in the mid lake area in deep brush piles. Jigs or spoons are the best and you can sit on top of these locations and work the baits straight down. Anglers are fishing as deep as 40 feet in brush piles and not getting a bite. And some anglers are fishing at 20 feet on docks and on points and finding a few fish. There are still some fish under some of the docks and the double wide ones seem to be best. The water is warmer in these docks because the take lots of heat during the day. If you watch the water temperature gauge, you will see the water is warmer right next to the dock. Our best worm has been a Zoom finesse in natural blue. The sand worm with a red tail has been the second best color and both need to be rigged on a shakey head rig and a 3/16 ounce sinker. Add some Jack’s Juice for extra hold time to set the hook.

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

The lake is at full pool. The creeks and rivers are stained and 41 degrees in the morning, warming to as high as 47 in the afternoon. We are experiencing a winter threadfin shad kill due to the cold temperatures. Consequently, the birds are staying busy picking up the dying shad and they no longer have to rely on the stripers to push the bait to the surface. This makes the birds less reliable as "fish finders" and can be a little frustrating. If you see working birds, check the area with your electronics before committing to pulling bait. Finding the fish continues to be the challenge. Overall the fishing is spotty. One day is great and the next day all the fish seem to have vanished. Your best bet remains half way back in the creeks from Browns Bridge south to Bald Ridge creek. Herring, trout and small shiners on free lines and planner boards are working. Umbrella rigs are the go to method if you are marking fish and cannot make them bite. If the temperature ever warms and the rain storms let up the back of the creeks will warm up first and the bait and the fish will move in almost overnight. When this happens the fishing will go from fair to great! We will keep you posted on the conditions. The new Lowrance Structure Scan is a very helpful tool for finding the fish and bait. If you haven't had a chance to see the Lowrance LSS-1 Structure Scan/Down Scan technology in action, you need to.

Crappie fishing is slow unless you find the right docks in the creek down lake. Use small Bass Pro Shops Squirt jigs on 1/32 ounce lead heads and doodle the baits on 4 pound Stren Easy Cast to get the bites.

Crappie fishing has improved with warming temperatures. Schools of crappie are beginning to stack on main lake cover in eighteen to twenty feet deep. Minnow presentations used close to cover have produced the best giving a long soak period. Look for deep lay downs and brush piles for best success. Some fish are still holding on bridge columns. Use Jiffy Jigs in black and chartreuse and pink and white colors or minnow presentations close to the bridge columns for these fish that have not moved up. The best bridges have been the 109 bridge and Railroad trestle.

Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic in Lawrenceville Georgia seminars by Ken Sturdivant. On Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 2pm Ken reveals secrets to finding schools of fish that others overlook through the effective use of sonar and structure identification. On Saturday March 13, 2010 at 1pm be sure to catch this seminar as Ken Sturdivant covers the twelve lures you never want to be without on your favorite bass waters.

The new Lowrance Structure Scan is a very helpful tool for finding the fish and bait. If you haven't had a chance to see the Lowrance LSS-1 Structure Scan/Down Scan technology in action, you need to.

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 12-14- 2010.

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE! Sonar Seminars at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia. The 2010 seminars are the last Saturday of every month and all seminars start at 2pm. All seminars are subject to change without notice.

See samples of the new Lowrance Structure Scan Down Scan product taken recently on Lake Lanier. http://www.havefunfishing.com/fishingreports/Lowrance.htm

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.