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DEL.ICIO.USHot spots: Easy as ABC at Allatoona
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“It’s easy fishing now” at Lake Allatoona guide Robert Eidson (First Bite Guide Service) reports this week, “and it’s really ABC fishing.”
Eidson’s clients have been catching 50 fish a trip on charters for hybrids and stripers, mostly on downlines
One other thing worth mentioning is last year’s stocking of 100,000 stripers, Eidson says. “I think every one of them lived. Never have I seen so many peanut stripers — 1-pounders— in my life. And the hybrids that we are catching are big and strong.”
Updated fishing reports as of July 31:
LAKE ALLATOONA
Stripers/hybrids: Eidson (First Bite Guide Service) says pick a main-lake point, start in about 20 feet of water and start working out with your downlines. The fish are setting up 18 to 24 feet deep, but they might be suspended over a deeper bottom. “[Wednesday] we didn’t find them until we hit the 60-foot bottom, but the fish were 24 feet down.
The umbrella rigs is producing along with the downlines, but bites on topwater and flatlines are nonexistent. The south end of the lake is the key. If you’re fishing within sight of the dam, you’re in a good area. Fish from Clear Creek to the south, and into Allatoona Creek to about the railroad trestle at the southern end of Allatoona Landing.
LAKE LANIER
Stripers: Guide Doug Youngblood says the striper fishing remains very good on Lanier., with the report staying pretty much the same as previously.
Downlining in 50 to 60 feet is the best move. Use a 2-ounce sinker, with a No. 2 circle hook bait with live herring. Spool your reel with 20-pound test, and tie on a 7-foot leader of 15-pound flourocarbon. Look south of Brown’s Bridge. If you troll, use lead core line with 1-ounce bucktails.
Bass: Move out to brushpiles in 20-22 feet for the best spotted bass bite.
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER
Trout: No change to the report. Guide Rob Smith at the Fish Hawk in Atlanta says numbers of fish caught and released have been high. Two of the best flies have been blue lightning bugs and zebra midges, both fished under strike indicators.
Shoal bass: Below Morgan Falls Dam, shoal bass fishing is strong as long as the water is pretty clear. Use a super fluke junior.
Stripers: Striper fishing also is strong below Morgan Falls. Use a Shadalicious, a paddle-tailed soft plastic bait made by Strike King.
SMALL LAKES
Lake Varner, the small reservoir east of Atlanta known for its trophy largemouth bass population, is producing its share of 10-pound hybrid bass (although 5-6 pounds is average). Hybrids have been stocked in the lake since 1998 to control the gizzard shad population.
Local guide Wayne Glaze says look for bait in 12-18 feet and you can find the hybrids. For those not residents of Walton or Newton counties, you must pay to park and launch a boat ($10 total).
Downline live bream (hook them through the nostrils) with a three-quarters-of-an-ounce sinker, an 18- to-24-inch leader and a No. 1 size circle hook.
For additional information on Varner hybrids, call Glaze at 770-809-4719,
If you have a tip or report, please share.
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Comments
By Mike
August 5, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Scott,
How do you or Rob Smith suggest fishing the Fluke for Shoalies, i.e. deadstick, walk the dog, etc. What color?
I’ve been trying to catch shoalies right below the dam with no luck. Beyond that, what are some good access points on the Hooch?
Thanks, Mike
By jim w harrison
September 2, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
For summer shore fishermen, an alternative for late afternoon or early morning can be catfish. Any good bottom rig will do, bge ut preferred baits are raw shrimp, hot dogs - raw and cut up, or live red wigglers and nightcrawlers. Channel cats and blues are likely targets, but an occasional flathead may turn up. My largest catfish in the U.S. has been 20 lbs., but in asia they average much larger.