FISHING REPORT Late MARCH EARLY APRIL
Bass: Good ---Largemouth bass can be caught on several different patterns during April --. Top water baits such as Pop R's, Zara Spooks and Buzz Baits can be extremely effective for shallow and aggressive pre-spawn and spawning fish. ---The second pattern that works really well at times is to look for spawning shad. Try fishing rip rap around bridges with spinnerbaits, small crankbaits, and Zoom Superflukes- Additionally ,some big tournament sacks of Largemouth are weighed in April by guys who sight fish, targeting fish that are locked on bed.This can be an aggravating way to fish but can pay off in a tournament win. Try a wacky worm Zlinky or Merthiolate Zoom trick worm to make them mad enough to bite. ----Lots of spotted bass spawn in April and are caught by just dragging a Carolina-rigged Zoom finesse worm or mini lizard around sloping gravel banks . This tactic normally works very well for numbers.--- April is usually my favorite month for all types of fishing in general. The weather is usually beautiful and fairly consistent, so go enjoy a day on the water !
Linesides: Excellent Because of lower water and cooler water temps in March , expect a strong river run from the hybrids and white bass again this year until at least mid April. The hybrids have made a nice come back since the DNR has been stocking them again for the past several years. Many of these fish are mature enough this year to guarantee a big run. Try live or cut bait (even chicken livers will work at times!) fished in holes from Grayson's Landing to Franklin. Spray your bait with a little garlic scent for even more bites.Casting curl tail grubs or small spinners will work well at times also. ----- Some fish will, as usual, always remain down on the main lake as well and can be caught on small crankbaits, topwaters, and Storm Swim Shad lures.
Crappie: Good. There should be a pretty good second wave of crappie coming up in early to mid April this year to spawn after the cool weather and low lake levels we had in March slowed them down. During April, crappie can be in all stages of the spawning process - pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn. Crappie can be easier to catch in slightly stained water especially if you have shallow brush, blow-downs or chunk rock structure. Use small jigs and minnows under a float for the best results ----- Spawned out fish will typically move out and hold on deeper structure or under docks for a while to recover and should start to bite again by the end of the month . ---- Night fishing should also improve in late April.
Bream: Good - Don't forget about our bream & some magnum shellcracker. Finding an active bed can take a little effort but when you do , you can have a ball ! Bedding usually takes place on the full moon cycles in April & May. Look for shallow cover in the backs of pockets. Sandy flats & stump beds tend to draw the fish like a magnet. Use live pink worms , crickets and small jigs for the best results.
Catfish : Good - Probably the most overlooked and underappreciated fish in the lake! Use live worms & cut bait and you will catch channel catfish almost anywhere on the lake . --- To target flatheads, go to a larger bait like a 4-5 inch bream and fish deep holes north of 219 in the main Chattahoochee river .Be sure to increase the size of your rigs as fish in the 20-30-lb. range are fairly common.
