September 7

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around full (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures dropped into the low 80s but have rebounded to about 83-85. 

We’ll start elsewhere because the bass fishing seems to be stuck in neutral, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the  striped bass action is still pretty good. They are catching fish suspended 30-40 feet deep over timber in 50-60 feet of water on the lower end, and they are also picking up 7 or 8 catfisheach trip over the trees. The cats are there because the bait is suspended, but there are also some on the bottom in 60 feet when you can get to them.   

Everything is coming on down-lined herring. 

In the same areas Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) is also finding a fair number of 8-10 pound striper, and while most of the bites have come around 30 feet they did catch one at 60 over about 100 feet. They are also picking up catfish. 

It’s the same old story with the bass, and Jerry reports that the fish are still all around 15-20 feet down suspended over trees (and difficult to target, because they are moving so much) or around brush. The more accessible brush fish are off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

The crappie bite is about the same, and Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas where the water is somewhat stained about halfway up the creeks.  It’s not spring fishing but you can still catch 25-30 on a trip, with numerous fish over a pound.  

The crappie are now in 15-25 feet of water, and they have moved about ¾ of the way to the bottom. Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

While catfish should move shallower when temperatures cool, for now they are either catching the fish mentioned above suspended or on the bottom around brush in 15-20 feet while bass fishing. 

August 24

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 80s. 

Even though the bass fishing doesn’t look like it’s ever going to get into a strong summer pattern, Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the striped bass action has come on pretty well recently. They are catching fish on the lower end over deep timber in 50-60 feet around bait schools, and most of the action is coming with down-rods fished about 30-35 feet down.  While the numbers are never amazing on Russell they have had some really good fish lately. 

While he hasn’t fished there this week, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) adds that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. 

But as noted the bass fishing is still slow, and Jerry reports that this is the worst year he has ever seen for fish staying suspended. He’s not sure why they won’t get on the bottom. The “deep” fish are still only about 15-20 feet down, and they are moving so fast it’s hard to catch many. The bait is at a similar depth. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

While the crappie bite has slowed down just a little in the late summer heat, Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas where the water is somewhat stained about halfway up the creeks. The fish are now in 12-23 feet of water, and they have moved about ¾ of the way to the bottom. While they are still getting some good fish over a pound they are having to work for them, and they are generally only catching 2-3 fish off each spots. 

Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

Jerry’s boat is picking up a few catfish while targeting other species, including a 25-pound flathead last week, but the best way to target cats is to fish over deep humps in about 20-30 feet of water. Cut herring will work.  

August 17

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are still in the upper 80s. 

At this point it seems to be getting clear that the bass are never moving into their normal summer patterns, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that this is the worst year he has ever seen for fish staying suspended. He’s not sure why they won’t get on the bottom. The “deep” fish are still only about 15-20 feet down, and they are moving so fast it’s hard to catch many. The bait is at a similar depth. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

It doesn’t seem to be a water quality issue because they have been catching some striped bass in deep water, and he has actually caught some fish on the bottom in the lower lake about 50 feet deep. The fish are related to bait schools and herring on down-rods are the best way to catch them. 

While he hasn’t fished there this week, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) adds that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. 

There’s still a surprisingly good bite for crappie, and Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas about halfway up the creeks. The fish are only in 12-20 feet of water, and they are about halfway down. The water is stained but not muddy. 

Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

Jerry’s boat is picking up a few catfish while targeting other species, including a 25-pound flathead, but the best way to target cats is to fish over deep humps in about 20-30 feet of water. Cut herring will work.  

August 3

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 before today’s rains (full pool is 475.00) and the lake has been clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 88-90 degrees!

The bass still aren’t behaving like they are “supposed to”, and Jerry with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that usually they should be catching 40-50 fish per trip fishing in deep water during the heat of the summer. But this year the offshore fish are not holding well, and they are suspended and moving so fast that it’s only possible to catch a few before you lose the school. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite. 

At the same time the striped bass bite has been pretty good, and even though it’s been a little hard to predict which days the fish are going to bite better and which days are going to be slower they are catching quality fish on each trip. Jerry’s best pattern has been fishing on the lower end with herring on down-rods about 25-30 feet down over trees. There is bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just in known areas where they usually catch them. 

On the other end of the lake, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) points out that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. However, the action has not been great recently. 

Despite the heat the best action may actually be for crappie, and Wendell reports that despite some ridiculous 93-degree surface temperatures they are still catching nice crappie in about 12 feet of water halfway up the creeks. They found the fish on natural timber in May, and they still haven’t left. The water is a bit stained which may explain why the fish are staying in these areas, but they are getting 3-4 good ones on each spot in the heat of the day.  The action is better at daylight. 

There are also plenty of crappie and white perch in coves off the main channel that are holding in 14-20 feet of water. Sometimes they are around brush and sometimes they are not. Everywhere they are fishing minnows for crappie right now. 

July 27

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.4 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s. 

Even though the action is a little hit-or-miss they are still catching striped bass bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that he is finding them about 25-30 feet down over trees in 60-70 feet on the lower end. There is certainly bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just known areas where they usually catch them. 

Jerry points out that there may well be striper on the bottom in the same areas, and in fact almost certainly are, but in the timber they are just unfishable.

While the bass should be getting out there with the striper, Jerry reports that he is still catching more fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. The fish that have moved deeper don’t seem to want to bite, but there are some perch out there that will eat. 

Speaking of perch, Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are also finding the spotted bass a little tough but catching lots of white perch in 17-25 feet on the bottom in main lake coves.  Minnows are working. 

At the same time, while the two will occasionally mix together, in general the crappie are more likely to be in the creeks. They can be found about halfway back in 15-20 feet of water over brush, and they have had some nice catches on minnows recently. 

July 13

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.00 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is back to normal – very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are about 87 degrees. 

It’s a vastly improved striped bass bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that they’ve been catching striper on the lower end of the lake. They are mostly suspended about 30 feet down, and they are catching them on live herring. 

That’s consistent with the report from Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860), who is finding them about 25-30 feet down over trees in 60-70 feet on the lower end. There is certainly bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just known areas where they usually catch them. 

Jerry points out that there may well be striper on the bottom in the same areas, and in fact almost certainly are, but in the timber they are just unfishable.

The bass are finally starting to transition deeper, and while Jerry is still catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks, he is starting to find more bass out in the same areas as the striper suspending over timber in deep water. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. There should also be a shallow bite for bass around bream with a worm and a crankbait, but he just hasn’t done it recently.

There has also been a pretty good bite for a mixed bag of white perch, a surprising number of yellow perch (which usually disappear outside the winter), and crappie.   These can be found throughout the lake in about 15-25 feet of water. Sometimes they are around bait, but usually they are just looking for schools of fish. They aren’t really related to any structure in particular, although around brush you will find more crappie. 

While the best way to target catfish is with cut herring fished on the bottom in the center of coves in 15-25 feet, they are also picking up some good ones suspended with the bass and striper over trees. 

Wendell points out that for pretty much everything early is better – and more pleasant. 

June 29

Lake Russell water levels are down to 474.64 (full pool is 475.00) and despite a lot of rain the water clarity is still pretty high. Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees.   

While the water temperatures may be in the 80s over most of the lake, Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that at the top of the lake below the Hartwell dam they saw water as cool as 66 and an average of about 74 degrees. Right at the intersection of the beginning of the temperature break and the deeper channel they caught a 20-pound striped bass on a down-line. The fish was in 36 feet on the bottom. 

Down on the lower end, Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that he has found some striper in deep water about 50-60 feet deep. They were in the tree tops, and they were able to catch fish by putting baits about 20 feet down. However, the fish are extremely spread out and not grouped up the way they usually are by this time of year. In areas where they always catch fish in late June they have not even marked any. 

The bass have been something of a mystery, and while Jerry is still catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in both the main lake and the creeks they are not biting very well. He is marking tons of fish on the graph, and they will run up and look at a bait, but they are just not as aggressive as usual. He is still offering them drop shot rigs, shaky head worms, and even live bait. 

Jerry has been looking for deeper fish, and caught a few, but there are just not that many out there just. By the end of the first week of July he expects more to move.

Wendell has found some bass willing to feed on main lake flats in 14-20 feet of water, and they are mixed in with white perch and a surprising number of yellow perch (which usually disappear outside the winter). And while they haven’t fished for crappie hard, they are catching some on brush at the same depth in coves off the main lake. Like pretty much everything, they are biting better early. 

Jerry’s boat has picked up a few catfish on live herring on down-lines, but if you really want to target them you need to fish the center of coves in 15-25 feet with cut herring. Plenty are deeper but with so much standing timber they are very difficult to target below the tree line. 

June 22

Lake Russell water levels are up to 474.88 (full pool is 475.00) and water clarity is dropping with all the recent rains. Morning surface water temperatures have plummeted back to the mid-70s. 

With the weather and attendant cancellations Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that they have had limited opportunities to fish this week, but when he has been on the water there is still no change with the bass patterns.  In both the main lake and the creeks Jerry is still catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves. Some are suspended just off the bottom and some are on it, and they will take live bait as well shaky head worms and drop shot rigs. 

While Jerry will be going after the striped bass this weekend, Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that they managed to find some striper back in a creek in about 35 feet of water. It was a deep creek where the main channel was 50 plus feet, and the fish took herring on down-lines. 

His boat has also targeted the north end of the lake for a mixed bag including crappie, white perch, channel catfish and even the occasional yellow perch. The fish were in coves off the main river near brush in about 18 feet, and the crappie were suspended over the brush about halfway down. The other species were on the bottom beside the brush in 12-15 feet. 

In the same area there were lots of people dragging free-lines for striper without much luck, perhaps because the water temperature wasn’t much cooler. They were catching some nice spotted bass on shallow flats with the herring. 

June 15

Lake Russell water levels are around 473.9 (full pool is 475.00) and water clarity is mostly high. Morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees. 

One piece of big news this week is that striped bass have started to show up again on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that they have been finding them suspended in the trees in about 40 feet of water. The fish have mostly been about 15-20 feet down, and there has not been much rhyme or reason to where they are holding in the standing timber. You just have to look. 

But the most exciting bite this week must be for crappie, and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that one trip they caught an incredible 202 crappie. They were on a variety of relatively shallow cover, including in the tops of downed trees on steep banks, standing timber, and shallow brush. Usually the fish were 2-8 feet down in 12-14 feet of water. Sizes were all over the places, and 1/48 ounce jigs were the ticket. Minnows caught less fish but they were on average a bit bigger. 

To concentrate only on bigger crappie the best place to look is still in coves off the main lake. They can be caught 10-14 feet down over cover in 20-25 feet. Minnows and jigs will both work for these fish.   

There’s no change in the bass patterns, and in both the main lake and the creeks Jerry is still catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves. Some are suspended just off the bottom and some are on it, and they will take live bait as well shaky head worms and drop shot rigs. 

Jerry is also catching some post-spawn catfish that have already moved out to deeper water in the same areas as the bass, and there are also some schools of white perch in the same areas. Other catfish remain shallower. They will all eat a variety of baits. 

June 8

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.3 (full pool is 475.00) and water clarity is mostly high but it is murky in the very backs. Morning surface water temperatures are around 77 degrees. 

There’s not a lot of change in the bass patterns, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in both the main lake and the creeks they are catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water. Fish are off points and in coves, and they seem to have almost totally gotten off the shallow herring spawn pattern. Some are suspended just off the bottom and some are on it, and they will take live bait as well shaky head worms and drop shot rigs. 

Jerry is also catching some post-spawn catfish that have already moved out to deeper water in the same areas as the bass, and there are also some schools of white perch in the same areas. 

However, Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) is fishing a little shallower than Jerry for bass and in addition to finding a few scattered spots and largemouth they are wearing out the catfish (while trying to avoid gar). Around main lake points, flats, and bridge riprap in less than 10 feet of water they are catching abundant channels on live and dead herring.

The crappie bite hasn’t changed much except that fish have gotten a little deeper, and Wendell reports that for smaller, more numerous fish the pattern is to fish about halfway down over brush or standing trees in 12-18 feet of water back in the creeks. However, bigger fish are in coves off the main lake and they can be caught 10-14 feet down over cover in 20-25 feet. Wendell’s boat is fishing minnows but jigs will also work. 

Between two master guides fishing for them (albeit very sporadically) they have caught one striped bass in the last week. The consensus is that fish are still very scattered, probably because temperatures have lagged, and so finding any concentration is tough – especially with Russell’s limited population.

Pretty soon they should be in 40-50 feet on the lower end but moving up into 15-20 feet of water to feed. Last year at this time they were on every point on the lower end. 

June 2

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.55 (full pool is 475.00) and water clarity is mostly high but it is murky in the very backs. Morning surface water temperatures are still about 72-73 degrees. 

With no change in the water temperature from a week ago it’s no surprise bass patterns are about the same, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in both the main lake and the creeks they are catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water. Fish are off points and in coves, and they seem to have almost totally gotten off the shallow herring spawn pattern. Some are suspended just off the bottom and some are on it, and they will take live bait as well shaky head worms and drop shot rigs.

 

While they have picked up some bass Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) is finding more catfish, and around the riprap and deeper off points they are picking up a ton of channels in the 2-5 pound range on live herring. Meanwhile the smaller channels that are the right size to eat on the bone can be found in the coves in about 3 feet of water.

Jerry is also finding catfish all over the place from 15-20 feet to 8-10 feet in coves and off points, and they are still tearing up cut herring. 

The crappie bite is also good, and Wendell reports that for smaller, more numerous fish the pattern is to fish 3-6 feet down over brush or standing trees in 12-14 feet of water back in the creeks.  However, bigger fish are in coves off the main lake and they can be caught 10-14 feet down over cover in 20-25 feet. Wendell’s boat is fishing minnows but jigs will also work.  

Neither guide has caught any striped and hybrid bass but they both suspect they have gone deep. Jerry is about to start targeting them again.   

May 26

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.64 (full pool is 475.00) and water clarity is high. Morning surface water temperatures are about 72-73 degrees. 

The herring spawn is almost over and bass have mostly moved out deeper, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that in both the main lake and the creeks they are catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water. Fish are off points and in coves, and they seem to have almost totally gotten off the shallow herring spawn pattern. Generally they are related to the bottom, and they will take live bait as well shaky head worms and drop shot rigs. 

The have picked up one 8-pound hybrid recently while bass fishing, and while that’s a very good one Jerry suspects better numbers of striped and hybrid bass can be found in very deep water with down-lines. And while they have not targeted crappie they have picked up a couple of good ones on herring fished around brush, indicating there are probably good numbers of fish on the same type of brush as the bass. 

It continues to be a fantastic bite for channel catfish around secondary points and pockets.  Fishing cut herring in 8-15 feet of water has been the best pattern.   

 

May 11

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.65 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake and fronts of creeks are clear. Morning surface water temperatures are up to about 70 degrees. 

Both Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) believe that we are seeing the tail end of the herring spawn, but at least for now they are

still catching bass in about 2-10 feet of water in points, pockets and other places where herring are spawning, but especially main lake points – in another sign that the action is progressing towards its conclusion.  The number of spots holding fish is also dwindling. 

Fish are shallower early and when there is wind, while they move deeper on calm, cloudy days. Flukes and topwater lures are working, while when the fish go deeper you have to throw a shaky head or drag a Carolina rig. Live bait is also hard to beat. 

There have also been occasional striped bass on the shallow points but not many.

Both guides agree that the bass bite has been slower than expected, but Wendell reports that they can’t keep the channel catfish off their lines. Leaning into that, Jerry had a fun day of catfishing recently and found a fantastic bite around secondary points and pockets. It wasn’t areas where herring were actively holding, but they had probably been there earlier. They fished cut herring in 8-12 feet of water, and sometimes as deep as 15. 

Finally, while the crappie spawn is well over they are catching some good numbers of crappie and some really nice ones high in the water column. While the fish are on brush in 15-18 feet of water, they have only been about 3-6 feet below the surface. Casting minnows and jigs have both been working. 

May 4

Lake Russell water levels are just below full at 474.75 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake and fronts of creeks are clear. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to 65 degrees. 

It’s a fairly similar pattern for bass fishing on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that they are still catching most of their fish from about 2-10 feet of water. They are up there because of the herring spawn, and this year Jerry has discovered that the herring are spawning everywhere from points to pockets to more. With the wind he has had to fish the mouths and front sections of creeks, but fish may also be out on the main lake. Once again fish are shallower early and when there is wind, while they move deeper on calm, cloudy days. Flukes and topwater lures are working, while when the fish go deeper you have to throw a shaky head or drag a Carolina rig. Live bait is also hard to beat. 

Overall, however, Jerry notes the shallow bite is starting to drop off. 

That’s what Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) is also noticing, and while they are still getting decent numbers of fish it has just not been as easy as in typical years. There have not been nearly the number of spots around the bank as normal, while at the same time he has not seen as many 12-14 inch largemouth in years. It leads Wendell to wonder if the largemouth are making a rebound. 

Overall they are now looking deeper, and they are fishing 10-15 feet of water with the boat in 20-25 around points.  Live bait and drop shot rigs are both working. 

On the crappie front, the wind this week has made it very hard to fish for them but they are ganging up on brush in about 18 feet of water. They caught a huge one that was spawned out this week on a jig about 10-12 feet down. 

For catfish, Jerry recommends anchoring cut bait in 5-10 feet just out from any area where you see spawning herring. 

April 21

Lake Russell water levels are above full at 475.28 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is relatively clear. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 65 on the main lake to 71 in the creeks. 

There has been some pretty significant change with the bass fishing on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that they are having pretty good catches in just 3-4 feet of water off points in the main lake and the front section of creeks. They don’t have to be sharp points, and some rounded points and even pockets are holding fish. 

The fish are up there feeding on herring, and while the bite is best early it can be off-and-on all day. When there is wind fish are more likely to stay shallow, while on calm days the fish pull out to 10-12 feet of water. Flukes and topwater lures are working, while when the fish go deeper you have to throw a shakey head or drag a Carolina rig. 

Surprisingly there have not been very many striped bass mixed in with the bass, and Jerry’s boat has actually seen some schooling over 40-50 feet of water. If we have more wind he expects to see more striper near the banks. 

While his boat is not targeting them they have picked up a bunch of catfish, and yesterday they caught four bass fishing. To target cats he suggests anchoring cut bait in 5-10 feet in the same areas the bass are feeding. 

April 10

Lake Russell water levels are above full at 475.32 (full pool is 475.00) and there is muddy water in some of the creeks. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped about 10 degrees to 59. 

Despite the brutally tough weather Saturday, Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) put on a warm rain suit and braved the conditions to win a bass tournament with about 18 pounds. They weighed all spots between 3 1/4 and 4 pounds, and they caught their fish dragging a worm, fishing a spinnerbait and casting a fluke in 8-10 feet of water. The main lake was too windy to fish so they stuck to the creeks.

They also caught a couple of 8-10 pound striped bass early on a fluke. 

In his guiding business he’s fishing the same depth, often with live bait, and the fish are generally around schools of herring. However, the cold front knocked the herring back a little deeper and it will probably be a few days before they start spawning again. 

The crappie spawn seems to be winding down, but you can still catch a ton of small to medium males casting a jig around the bank. It might be possible to troll for better fish but Jerry’s boat has been having too much fun catching the tail end of the shallow bite. 

Jerry isn’t targeting catfish right now, but if he were to he would fish in the middle sections of creeks and anchor cut bait in 15-20 feet of water in the center of coves.