August 13

Lake Russell water levels are down to 473.19 (full pool is 475.00) and the backs of creek are muddy but the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 77 degrees but rising again. 

Cooler temperatures have had surprisingly little effect on the black bass fishing on Lake Russell, and Guide Wendell Wilson of Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are still finding fish feeding decently around deeper brush and timber. One day they also found a good school of spotted bass on a main lake flat in 18-22 feet, but by the next day they had disappeared. Fish that are not related to structure seem to be moving fast with the bait schools. 

But what has been interesting to watch is cooler temperatures trigger a yellow perch bite, as these fish seemingly appeared out of nowhere as soon as temperatures got into the 70s. They always bite better in the colder months and it was intriguing to see them show up in the same areas as the bass as soon as temperatures dropped – even though they remained very warm. Minnows have been working well for yellow perch. 

At the same time striped bass have moved very little, and Wendell reports that there are basically two choices. You can go way up the lake and pull free-lines behind the Hartwell dam, or on the lower end of the lake you can down-rod herring in 30-50 feet of water. 

Somewhere in the middle the crappie fishing improved a little this week on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that he has been able to catch fish on shallower brush than ten days ago.  He has been catching fish 5-10 feet down over brush in 15 feet of water, mostly at the mouths of creeks. They are eating minnows and jigs about the same and while the bite is not hot it’s steady – and you can certainly catch enough fish to feed a family. 

July 31

Lake Russell water levels are at 473.75 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are typically about 88 degrees at daylight on the main channel, although overnight thunderstorms sometimes cool the AM temperature into the mid-80s.  

Despite the heat it’s a steady bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the bulk of the fish are still grouped up in deep water. 

He is still finding that there are essentially two groups of black bass, and Jerry’s boat has been fishing for one group of fish in 27-30 feet of water around brush and trees. The other group is in about 40 feet of water around timber, and these fish are mixed with striped bass, white perch, and catfish. Some of the fish are on the bottom while others are 20-25 feet down, and they are catching a mixed bag fishing with live herring. Striper are biting particularly well and they have had some very good numbers for Russell. 

Striper have been the main action with Guides Luke and Wendell Wilson of Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), and unlike most summers they have actually found a mix of sizes. They have found some fish in the 3-pound range, others in the 5-15 pound range, and had some that they could never turn. The best pattern on their boats has been fishing humps in about 28 feet of water surrounded by deeper water. Wendell notes that at least some fish are still surprisingly shallow for this late in the year. 

There’s no change with the crappie pattern, but Wendell reports that now they are only getting 1-2 fish off each spot. The best action is on brush piles 20-25 feet of water in coves off the main lake. Minnows and jigs will both catch fish. 

Finally, while there are definitely catfish deep they seem to have about the best temperature tolerance of any species, so in 10-15 feet of water there are still abundant channel cats. Fish are in coves and off points and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

Our family is travelling next week for the last week of the summer before our children go back to school, but we will resume weekly fishing reports the following week. Hopefully some cooler weather will give us some exciting changes to relay – although it will still be August in South Carolina!     

July 21

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.37 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are about 87 degrees at daylight on the main channel. 

As we get further into summer the fishing has improved on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that’s because most species have started grouping up better in deep water.

He is finding that there are essentially two groups of black bass, and Jerry’s boat has been fishing for one group of fish in 27-30 feet of water around brush and trees. The other group is in about 40 feet of water around timber, and these fish are mixed with striped bass, white perch, and catfish. Some of the fish are on the bottom while others are 20-25 feet down, and they are catching a mixed bag fishing with live herring. Striper are biting particularly well and they have had some very good numbers for Russell. 

At the same time Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) is surprised by how many fish are still fairly shallow on Russell, and they have actually found both striper and bass on the bottom over humps on the lower end in just 15-20 feet or over deeper water suspended at the same depth. These fish are in the areas they usually inhabit in June instead of late summer. 

There’s no change with the crappie, and Luke reports that the bite is fair but not as good as on Clarks Hill. Usually you only get two or three fish off each brush pile before you have to move along. With a thermocline setting up in the creeks the best action is in 20-25 feet of water in coves off the main lake. Minnows and jigs will both catch fish. 

Finally, while there are definitely catfish deep they seem to have about the best temperature tolerance of any species, so in 10-15 feet of water there are still abundant channel cats. Fish are in coves and off points and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

We apologize that these reports are running a few days behind – the author had some unexpected issues in his other job arise. 

July 9

Lake Russell water levels are at 473.99 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 87-88 at daylight on the main channel. 

The black bass have finally started to group up better on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the last two days he has found them mostly schooled up in 27-30 feet of water around trees. They are usually suspended about 10 feet off the bottom, while the striped bass are in the same areas but right on the bottom. There are also striper in about 40 feet around timber.  The white perch and catfish are also in 27-40 feet, and today Jerry’s boat caught all of them on live herring. 

For the striper Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) is fishing in very similar areas, although he has the best success fishing on humps in about 25 feet that are near the timber. They are fishing free-lines and down-rods but getting the most bites on the down-rods, although those fish are also more likely to break off in the trees.

He is also finding more and more bass in the same areas, although they are still a little hit-or-miss. However, it seems clear that the better fish have left shallow water and now they are pretty much only catching small fish off main lake points in much less than 25 feet of water. 

The crappie pattern is the same, and they are still marking a ton of fish, but Luke reports that instead of catching 40-60 fish like a month ago they are catching 15-20. Usually you only get two or three off each brush pile before you have to move along. With a thermocline setting up in the creeks the best action is in 20-25 feet of water in coves off the main lake. Minnows and jigs will both catch fish. 

Finally, while there are definitely catfish deep they seem to have about the best temperature tolerance of any species, so in 10-15 feet of water they are still catching abundant channel cats. Fish are in coves and off points, and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

July 2

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.25 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 87-88 at daylight on the main channel although up the lake you can find water a couple of degrees cooler.  

It’s still not great fishing for black bass on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that they are picking up a few fish around brush in 18-25 feet. They are taking live bait and drop shot rigs fished near the bottom, and there are also fish suspended higher in the water column in about the same depth. 

The fish will go deeper if it stays warm, but water temperatures got so hot so fast that most of the fish have not gone very deep yet. Which is amazing when they are seeing 94-degree surface temperatures some afternoons!

But the hybrid and striped bass have made a move deeper, and Jerry’s boat reports that he is now finding them in the middle and lower lake in 30-40 feet of water close to the bottom beside timber or in clean spots actually in the trees. They have picked up a few large fish this week. There is the occasional bass mixed in but not many.  

That’s consistent with the report from Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), who is still finding an inconsistent bass bite but is now catching striper deep. This week they caught a 25-pound fish in 32 feet of water on the bottom on the edge of the river channel with a live herring. 

While you can still catch crappie, Luke reports that the pattern has slowed considerably – although getting enough to eat is usually not a problem. He is still finding them on brush in 15-25 feet of water in coves off the main lake. Minnows and jigs will both catch fish but neither is hot. 

Finally, the catfish bite continues to improve as fish come off the spawn. In 10-15 feet of water they are still catching abundant channel cats, with more fish now having already spawned than even a week or two ago. The best pattern remains fishing in coves and off points, and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

June 27

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is mostly clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 87 or higher at daylight on the main channel. 

With the very hot water it’s been a predictably tougher bite for some species on Lake Russell, but Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that probably the three best things going are crappie, catfish, and large striped bass.

Noticeably absent on that list are black bass, and with water temperatures this high they just aren’t finding a good pattern for bass. They have had the most luck targeting main lake points with a shaky head and getting one here or there, but it is by no means a strong pattern. Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that most of the bass seem to be moving deeper, getting out in 25-30 feet around brush and timber on the main channel, but in the summer they can be hard to target in these areas. Whereas in the fall they set up much better and feed well there. 

But striper in similar areas are feeding pretty well, and both Wendell and Jerry’s boat have picked up some nice 15 plus pound fish with herring on down-rods. They are around main channel timber and also over humps on the lower end. Right now the most fish seem to be about 35 feet deep, either on the bottom on humps or suspended over deeper water. Again, despite having live bait in the water they are picking up surprisingly few bass this way. 

The crappie pattern is still similar, but fish have moved deeper onto brush piles in 20-25 feet of water. Jerry advises that schools are mixed between deeper sections of creeks and the main lake, but they have left the shallower brush piles in the creeks that they were hanging around until very recently. Minnows and jigs will both catch fish. 

Anglers need to be cognizant of the thermocline (below which there is no oxygen) and either fish in areas without a thermocline or fish above it. 

Finally, the catfish bite is only improving as fish come off the spawn. In 10-15 feet of water they are still catching abundant channel cats, with more fish now having already spawned than a few weeks ago. The best pattern remains fishing in coves and off points, and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

June 18

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.91 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 80 degrees on the main lake and much higher in some of the creeks.

It hasn’t been an easy bite for striped bass and black bass on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that now decent numbers of both species have moved deeper around timber. A fair number of striper had already moved out, but each day more and more bass are joining them in 30 or more feet of water around trees. Both species are being caught with live herring on down rods, and for traditional bass-fishing techniques drop shot rigs, flutter spoons, and weighted swimbaits will also work. 

Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are fishing a similar pattern, and yesterday the catch was about evenly mixed between bass and striper. They suspect that once more fish, and particularly spotted bass, transition to this zone numbers will go up. 

Perhaps the best thing going on the lake is the catfish bite, and Jerry reports that in 10-15 feet of water they are catching coolers full of pre-spawn channel cats. The best pattern has been fishing in coves and off points, and cut herring has been the best bait. 1-1.5 inch pieces of herring on a 1/0 circle hook are very effective.

Crappie report to follow if Guide Luke Wilson has success with them tomorrow.   

June 11

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.59 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 78 degrees on the main lake. 

There’s finally some good news with the striped bass on Lake Russell, and Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that in the mid-lake area some good fish are showing up in in 25-35 feet of water.  They are catching them on free-lines and down-lines fished around timber, and while the fish haven’t really grouped up yet with rising temperatures there are more and more getting deep.

One reason they haven’t gotten in tighter schools is because of what’s going on around the bank, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that this week he caught a couple of 15-pound fish on shallow herring points where the very tail end of the herring spawn was taking place. However, that has been a better pattern for black bass and first thing in 6-7 feet they have been catching fish around the last of the spawning herring. They are also starting to get some bass around brush in 10-12 feet, and Jerry notes that the cooler temperatures and rain have kept fish from heading out to the deep summer brush so far. 

Luke notes that he is seeing the same thing with the bass, and they seem to be suspending in 15-20 feet around bridge pilings, riprap, and main lake points instead of getting on the bottom – just yet. 

Both guide services report that the crappie bite has been very consistent fishing 8-10 feet down over brush in 20-22 feet of water, in both the front of creeks and on the main lake. Casting jigs and fishing minnows vertically, or under a deep float, have all been working. 

Finally, perhaps the best thing going is the catfish action and Jerry notes that each day he is catching seven or eight while striper and bass fishing with live bait. The action should be wide open with cut herring off points and in pockets with 8-10 feet of water. 

May 29

Lake Russell water levels are way up to 476.06 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid-70s. 

The black bass continue to transition to deeper water, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that fishing has been decent even as fish leave the shallows and head to their summer haunts. Eventually they should stack up on brush piles in 20-25 feet of water, but for now he is marking the most fish suspended in about 15 feet of water. The main lake has been most productive.

It's a similar report from Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), who notes that they are still finding some bass in shallow water but more moving out to about 20 feet. Again, they can tell that fish are in transition.

Both guides have had the best luck with live bait, but crankbaits and swimbaits are also working. And of course, there are always spotted bass to be caught on main lake points with a shaky head worm. 

The crappie fishing continues to be good, and Luke reports they have managed some big fish as well as good numbers. The fish have been 8-10 feet down over brush in 20-22 feet of water, and they have been locating crappie in both the front of creeks and on the main lake. Casting jigs and fishing minnows vertically, or under a deep float, have all been working. 

Finally, Jerry reports that the catfish bite is still very good as they feed up before the spawn and they have even picked up some fish while targeting suspended bass. Catfish are probably about everywhere in relatively shallow water, but they have been targeting points, rounded points, and the mouths of pockets in 8-12 feet of water. Cut herring has been very effective.

Our family is travelling for our annual beach vacation next week, but we will resume weekly fishing reports the following week.   

May 21

Lake Russell water levels are high at 474.01 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is clear. Morning surface water temperatures are approaching 80 degrees on the main lake. 

This week Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) is finally reporting that the herring spawn is basically done, and unfortunately he predicts that means a tougher couple of weeks for black bass as the fish transition out to their summer haunts. Eventually they should stack up on brush piles in 20-25 feet of water, but for now he is marking the most fish suspended in about 15 feet of water.  There could be some fish in the creeks although he has not marked many, and with temperatures rapidly rising Jerry is mostly fishing the main lake. 

There are a lot of ways to target suspended fish in open water, and obviously many anglers will be using state-of-the-art electronics to target them with minnow-type baits on ball-style jigheads. But free-lining live bait is also very effective, and that is what Jerry is doing with clients. They have not picked up any striped bass and so he thinks they have already gone out to much deeper water. 

Jerry’s boat has run a couple of crappie trips, and they have found improved sizes of fish showing up on the brush. The fish have been 8-10 feet down over brush in 20-22 feet of water, and he has been locating crappie in both the front of creeks and on the main lake. Casting jigs and fishing minnows vertically, or under a deep float, have all been working. While the sizes have been good the only drawback is that fish have seemed a little finicky. They will often catch two or three off a spot and then they will stop biting. 

Finally, Jerry reports that the catfish bite is still very good as they feed up before the spawn and they have even picked up some fish while targeting suspended bass. Catfish are probably about everywhere in relatively shallow water, but they have been targeting points, rounded points, and the mouths of pockets in 8-12 feet of water. Cut herring has been very effective. 

May 15

Lake Russell water levels are high at 474.73 (full pool is 475.00) and the main lake is mostly clear although there is probably some muddy water in the backs of creeks. Morning surface water temperatures are around 74 degrees on the main lake. 

While Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that he can still find a very few herring spawning early, there don’t seem to be any black bass up there with them right now. All the bass he is catching have now moved out to deeper water, and he is mostly catching them about 14-15 feet down in 20 feet of water. They are biting soft plastics, deep-running crankbaits, and live bait. 

While the striped bass are really hard to locate right now, Jerry’s boat did catch a 6- or 7-pound hybrid yesterday. And Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they caught one big striper off a main lake point, but it was a single. 

There is still a good bite for crappie this week, and Wendell reports that they are really ganged up on brush piles in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. Fishing minnows vertically about halfway down the water column has been the most effective for his boat.  After cooler temperatures came through – again – it still seems as if the bigger fish aren’t biting as well, but the numbers of fish are still good.

Likewise Jerry reports that he still isn’t catching slabs but the numbers have been good in the creeks and on the main lake around brush in 15-25 feet. He is catching them suspended about 8-10 feet down on both jigs and minnows. 

Finally, Jerry reports that the catfish bite is still very good. While catfish are probably about everywhere in relatively shallow water, they have been targeting points, rounded points, and the mouths of pockets in 8-12 feet of water. 

May 8

Lake Russell water levels are high at 474.94 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is mostly clear although stained in the very backs. Morning surface water temperatures are around 72-74 degrees.

The herring spawn continues to slowly wind down on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the black bass patterns are still about the same. He has caught a few deeper fish on brush in 15-20 feet, but for now the fish they are catching are still mostly in less than 8 feet of water around points in the creeks and the main lake. They will take topwater lures, swimbaits, flukes, and of course live bait. After a brief blip of shallow striped bass again, it now seems that the striper have headed to deep water and once again on his last three trips Jerry’s boat has not caught a striper. 

Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) shares the same assessment of the state of the herring spawn, and after the early bite the shallow action is really dying down. Then they are still turning to fishing deeper with a shaky head to pick up spotted bass off the same points. 

There is a good bite for crappie this week, and Wendell reports that they are really ganging up on brush piles in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. Fishing minnows vertically about halfway down the water column has been the most effective for his boat.  After cooler temperatures came through it seemed like some of the bigger fish stopped biting as well, but the numbers of fish are still good.

Jerry has also fished for crappie this week, and likewise he reports that he isn’t catching great big fish but the numbers have been good in the creeks and on the main lake around brush in 15-25 feet. He is catching them suspended about 8-10 feet down on both jigs and minnows. 

Finally, yesterday Jerry had a party that wanted to catch catfish and they had a banner day. While catfish are probably about everywhere in relatively shallow water, they targeted points, rounded points, and the mouths of pockets in 8-12 feet of water. In addition to a ton of channel catfish they caught two spotted bass on cut herring – but no striper. 

May 1

Lake Russell water levels are high at 475.09 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is mostly clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 73-75 degrees.

Even as the herring spawn starts to slow down on Lake Russell, Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the pattern for black bass is still about the same. The fish they are catching are mostly in less than 8 feet of water around points in the creeks and the main lake, and they are taking both topwater lures and live bait. The biggest change is that the striped bass seem to have gone deeper, and whereas they were getting at least one good fish on most trips the last three times out they have not caught a single one. 

Both Guides Luke and Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) are also watching the herring spawn tail off, and the biggest change they notice is that the action is now concentrated more in the first few hours of the day. In that period you can catch everything from bass to hybrids to white perch to catfish, but then you have to start fishing deeper with a shaky head to pick up spotted bass off the same points. 

With some parties who wanted to target catfish this week, they have also found a really good bite for 3-6 pound channel catfish around riprap at the bridges. While they will certainly take cut herring, and the fish are likely up there feeding on herring, chicken livers have been working very well. 

Jerry points out that there should also be some catfish in the center of coves in 10-20 feet. 

Finally, after a post-spawn lull (both with the fish and interest in catching them) the crappie bite has gotten really good again. They are starting to gang up on brush piles in an early summer pattern, and the best brush has been in 15-20 feet of water in the creeks. Fishing minnows vertically about halfway down the water column has been the most effective.  

April 24

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.78 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is pretty clear. Morning surface water temperatures are around 70-73 degrees. 

The black bass are shallow on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that, while most of the fish are in 5-6 feet of water, some are dirt shallow – while others are deeper. They are mostly concentrating on points where the herring are spawning, and those are in the main lake as well as all over the creeks. The fish will take topwater lures and of course live bait, and they are usually getting a striped bass most trips. 

That’s consistent with the report from Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), who reports that, while some fish are just along banks, the vast majority of the fish seem to be near points where herring are spawning. In addition to bass and striper they are also catching some nice catfish and even occasional big crappie on the herring points. 

However, a more consistent crappie pattern, especially for numbers of smaller to medium-sized fish, is to fish brush in 12-15 feet of water where post-spawn fish are grouping up. They are generally just 2-5 feet under the surface and will take minnows under a cork or jigs. You can also catch a few stragglers around the banks that are still spawning or protecting beds. 

April 10

Lake Russell water levels are up to 474.79 (full pool is 475.00) and morning surface water temperatures have dropped back to about 66 degrees after reaching the 70s this weekend. 

Almost overnight everyone wants to go black bass fishing instead of crappie fishing, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the bass are cooperating very well in 7-10 feet of water off points and even along plain, straight banks. While it doesn’t seem that the herring have actually started spawning yet, they are definitely getting up in the shallows around rocks, riprap, and areas where they will spawn. The bass are following them and flukes and live bait are both working very well. 

It's similar news from Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336), who reports that they are catching bass on points in 5-15 feet of water with live bait, crankbaits, and jerkbaits. It seems they will take about anything you put in front of them.  Luke believes most of the spotted bass are pre-spawn right now because the ones they clean are mostly full of well-developed eggs. The largemouth are likely later in their spawn. 

While Luke’s boat hasn’t picked up striped bass reliably, Jerry reports that each day they seem to catch a fish between 10 and 20 pounds on flukes or live bait. They are in the same areas as the bass, keying on the shallow herring. Again, the guides point out that the herring they are able to buy are still mostly small which is limiting their time targeting striper. 

While crappie can still be caught trolling or casting at the banks, Jerry reports that every time he targets them it’s apparent how much smaller they are getting. It seems the bigger fish have already spawned and are recovering. 

Finally, for the first time in a while we are hearing about Lake Russell catfish this week. Luke reports that they are starting to pick up a lot of channel catfish on their live bait, and so he suggests that if you want to target them fishing cut herring on rocky points would be very effective. 

Our family is travelling for our children’s spring break next week, but we will resume weekly fishing reports after the Easter holiday. 

April 3

Lake Russell water levels are down to 474.46 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is very clear except for the fact that the pollen is peaking, with a yellow line ringing virtually the whole if not the whole lake. Morning surface water temperatures range from about 63 to 66 degrees. 

The crappie fishing is very good right now, although Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) does report that the fish seem to be getting a little smaller. Yesterday he caught 40 fish, mostly males, casting at the banks with jigs and minnows. 

While Jerry hasn’t long-line trolled in a few days he doesn’t doubt it would work, and Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) can confirm that after another good day yesterday. They caught fish 4-6 feet down pulling jigs in 12-18 feet of water, and he rates this one of the best crappie seasons in the last 4-5 years. 

The black bass bite is also wide open, and Jerry reports that he caught 30-40 fish Monday fishing in 12-15 feet for pre-spawn fish. There is also a group of fish that have moved up shallower, mostly males, into 5-8 feet where they are preparing beds. Wendell’s boat has caught them on small swimbaits and crankbaits just going down the bank in the main lake, but you can also replicate the same pattern in the creeks. There are less spotted bass in the creeks but you increase your chances of catching largemouth, especially if you throw something like a spinnerbait in more stained areas.  

Still neither guide is spending much time targeting striped bass, and Wendell reports the inability to get large herring has made it tough to attract bites from striper. All that is probably about to change when the herring spawn gets underway, but they are not seeing any signs of it yet.

For now the best bet for striper is, if you can get some bigger bait, to pull free-lines and planer boards in the front of creeks or around shallow main lake points close to deep water.