Lake Allatoona Fishing Report February 2013

Allatoona: Level: 11.4 feet below full pool. Temp: 50-53 degrees. Clarity: Stained from Little River all the way to Clear Creek.

Bass: Good. Guide Jody Samples reports, “Fish can be caught several different ways right now. The Big Bite Baits Squirrel Tail worm in pumpkin-chartreuse and talapia colors have been producing numbers and size. A 1/4-oz. shaky head seems to work best. Most of the fish are from 5 to 18 feet deep hugging big chunk rocks and any shallow brush. While fishing the shaky head, pull it along, and when you hit something, slow down and shake it in place. I also have been having good luck with the crankbait bite lately. Two of my best fish this week came off a silver-shad colored crankbait. Also, around docks the Big Bite Baits Flying Squirrel has produced some heavy spots. It’s a good bait to flip around docks. I prefer the same colors as with the shaky-head worm.”

Linesides: “Fishing is decent,” said guide Robert Eidson. “Finding clear water is the ticket. The backs of the creeks are holding fish early. Freelines and planner boards in the morning and late afternoon in mid- to south-end creeks will be your best bet until the main lake clears up. After the sun comes up, switch to downlines, and ease your way out to the middle of the creeks. As the water starts to clear, fishing should get better on the main lake. We are by no means loading the boat right now, but the fish we are catching are good fish. Trolling is still slow but is getting better. The best time seems to be midday. I have been pulling my rigs at 2.4 to 3.3 mph 100 feet behind the boat. The trolling bite is just around the corner. I really think once the lake clears, the trolling bite will get as good as the live-bait bite. The topwater bite was close to breaking loose before we got all the rain. I look for it to return as the lake starts to clear.”