Home > Outdoors > Archives > 2008 > April > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USQuest for the 10-pounder continues
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I have to admit it. There was a selfish reason for getting some time on the water with fishing guide Randall Kirkpatrick.
That it’s spring, and our thoughts turn to big largemouth bass, was a fitting setup for a morning trip to Lake Varner near Covington. Varner is your best chance on a public lake to catch a double digit-pound bass in metro Atlanta, and Kirkpatrick’s track record of boating dozens of lunkers there is proof of that.
Personally, I held out hope that my lifelong quest to catch a 10-pound largemouth bass might be fulfilled, but I knew that would be tough in a short trip that was more about Varner and Kirkpatrick’s expertise there than about my quest. A strong cold front had just passed through the day before and that didn’t help.
Still, a guy can hope.
Varner is a big-bass lake, and one of the reasons Kirkpatrick’s Fish Atlanta Guide Service (www.fishatl.com) is well-booked throughout the spring and early summer. While I’ve never caught one 10-pounder, he’s not sure how many he’s caught.
“I counted 80-something photos, but that was before I started carrying a camera, so I’m guessing over 100,” Kirkpatrick said. “Most of them have come out of Varner.”
Kirkpatrick’s biggest Varner bass was 15-12, but he weighed one over 16 pounds on a hand scale for a client, but it wasn’t a certified catch.
“We’re in a slump right now,” Kirkpatrick joked during a March 25 morning trip to Varnerk. “We’re only getting 8s and 9s.”
Kirkpatrick says while it’s harder to catch the big fish in Varner, which gets a lot of fishing pressure for an electric motor-only, the fish are still there.
Proof can be seen every week on the Bass Fishing Home Page, a Web site that includes fishing reports from all over the nation. Kirkpatrick’s reports often include pictures of big catches for him and his clients.
The key has been time on the lake. He found that Varner’s biggest fish are often suspended over deep water near drop-offs adjacent to spawning areas and flats. He said the big fish spend most of their time suspended, and will use the structure change to chase and trap baitfish.
Hard swimbaits are his go-to bait for big fish. The baits look realistic in the water and can be fished slowly, an important element in fishing the break lines of drop-offs.
While my quest for the 10-pounder continues, I will have more confidence the next time I visit Varner, and be assured that my gear will include swimbaits.
What’s your big fish lure?
Comments
By Joe
April 2, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
Scott, sounds like a winner. Is Varner set up for public fishing from the shore,or do you recommend a guide like you had?
By Mark
April 2, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
My lure of choice has always been a 6 inch red shad worm.
BTW, what is a swimbait?
By Scott Bernarde
April 2, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Joe,
Varner has some easy access from the shore. There’s a fishing pier and other places you can cast, and I know a lot of people do fish from shore.
By boat, it’s electric-motor only. A guide’s not necessary, but helpful.
By Scott Bernarde
April 2, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Mark, Red shad curl-tail worms on a Texas rig is still something I like to throw.
Swimbaits are lure that mimic a fish swimming more realistically that crankbaits. There have been these types of baits for years — such as sassy shads and other soft-plastics that have a wiggling tail.
The new popular swimbaits got their start out West. They are made of hard material and painted like a fish. There are several companies that make hard swimbaits.
We used sunfish and tilapia versons made by Tru-Tungsten which look like a real fish swimming (they truly are fun just to watch). The baits are jointed to allow for the side-to-side swimming movement.
You can insert metal balls into the lure to control the depth of the bait on the retrieve.
By Mark
April 2, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
Scott, Thx for the info.
By AndyV
April 2, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Scott, don’t go telling people about Lake Varner (LOL). I might just call the guide you used. Seems like reasonable rates and now should be the best time of the year to go.
By NRBQ
April 2, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Before any of you guys run out to Varner with your jon boat, you should know that it’s a huge, 850 acre pond restricted to electric power only.
Randall and others who have a lot of success there use modified boats with as many as four trolling motors and comensurate batteries to reach the mid- and upper-levels.
Your everyday pond set-up will only get you to the fraction of the pond that is fished the hardest.
Mark: If you want the latest word on fishing techniques and tools, google Bass Fishing Home Page and click on the Fishing Tactics link. Cutting edge bass-fishing information.
Scott: Good luck on that double-digit Mama this year.
By Mark
April 2, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
NRBQ
Thx for the link.
By Vince
April 3, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Scott, remember you are trying to catch a large female bass on the bed. In bed fishing the first bass caught is usually the male bass and is much smaller. Keep him. Also when bass bed they are not in hunger mode, they are in attack mode. Use large worms, lizards etc, bait casting reel, 20lb test line and strong SHARP hooks.
By Riverpirate
April 3, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
I’ll second Randall as a great guide. Though I personally have never used him, I have seen many pictures of his big bass over the years.
As for fishing Varner, this is one of my favorite places to fish from my kayak. It is small enough to get anywhere in a yak and the fact that it electric only means no skiers or jetskies.
By Mike
April 3, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Riverpirate, What kind of fishing kayak do you have? I’m looking to invest in one to use on the Hooch for trout & small ponds/lakes for bass. Do you have any recommendations? I was thinking about Hobie due to the pedal drive, but they’re quite expensive.
Scott - Have you ever fished from a kayak?
By Scott Bernarde
April 3, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this
Mike,
I have fished from a kayak once, several years ago with a buddy who fished everywhere (Gulf, rivers, Lanier) in a kayak. He lent me one for an afternoon on Lanier.
Worst thing was that my legs fell asleep and when I was getting out of the kayak at the ramp, I fell in the lake!
I’ve done a lot of river fishing in my canoe, so I’m ready to give kayaks a try again.
By Riverpirate
April 3, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this
It really depends on where you fish, how big a person you are, and what type fishing you do. I am on the Ocean Kayak Pro Staff so obviously I am biased to Ocean Kayaks and do not like to pedal!
That being said you can find out all you want to know about kayaks and fishing from kayaks on our web site:
http://atlantakayakfishing.com/forum/
By Marty
April 3, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
When I fish Varner, I use Ol’ Nelle gigs or a double buzz bait from Ol’ Nelle dipped in JJ’s Magic Garlic Scented Dip n’Dye. They’ve never failed me.
By Carl
April 3, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Hey Marty. Where can I find them, when I am out that way this week.
By Marty
April 3, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Heck, I get my stuff at Elliott’s Marketplace in Conyers. There is also (http://www.jjsmagic.com)