Bass are biting and the warm weather has fish being caught from relatively shallow water on a variety of baits. Small to medium crank baits, jigs, and Carolina rigs have produced more bass than other baits. Crank baits have been the best in areas of the lake that have warmer water due to influence from the steam plant. The affected areas can change daily, depending on generating times at the steam plant and the two dams. The back pump operation at Wallace Dam can also send warm water up the Oconee River if generation occurs during or soon after generation at the steam plant. The angler that enjoys cranking should consider these variables and water temperature to determine areas to fish. Some good cranking choices of late have been Shad Rap RS #5, Rapala DT10, Bandit 200, and Thunder Shad. Shad and chartreuse patterns have both been good. Casting a lightweight jig with pork or plastic has produced in the colder water. Rocky banks, riprap, blow downs, points, and docks have all yielded bass using jigs. Try a Strike King 3/8 ounce jig in black-blue with a Zoom Chunk in green pumpkin or black-blue. Line should be 15 to 20 pound test to combat potential frays in rock and wood. Some die-hard Carolina rig anglers are catching fish from the points and docks. Try a shorter leader of 18 to 24 inches with a Zoom Finesse worm in green pumpkin and a half ounce weight. Fishing deep has gotten better, but still not as good as normal for mid-winter. Vertically jigged spoons like a .6 Flex-It are usually all that's needed. At times, however, other baits can be better. Other choices are a Carolina rig, jig, drop shot worm, jig head and worm, Little George, and Rocket Shad. Look for fish on the sides of humps, points, and deeper flats. The center of large coves can also hold deep fish. Normally the cove centers work only if huge amounts of bait are present.
The 2007 Atlanta Boat Show hits the Georgia World Congress Center January 10-14, 2007. Meet Ken Sturdivant, Al Bassett,, Tim White, Mike Bucca, Mack Farr, Doug Youngblood, Jon Peters, Robert Eidson, Al Bassett, Mark Collins, Chris Scalley, Ryan Coleman, Rick and Allison Steckelberg, and Glenn Chappelear.
The Shallow Water Fishing Expo is January 20 and 21, 2007 at the Gwinnett Civic Center.