Lake Sinclair Fishing Reports – July 2021

Sinclair: Level: 1.3 feet below full pool Temp: Mid to high 80s. Clarity: There is some stain above the railroad trestle and some stain in the backs of a few pockets after a big thunderstorm.

Bass: Tournament angler Karl Pingry reports, “Ed at Lakeside Chevron said this past Saturday the winning bag of 21 pounds was caught on a black popping frog in the grass and hydrilla. Another topwater to try is a black buzzbait with a clacker. If you find stained water, a chartreuse-and-white spinnerbait is catching a few bass. If you are targeting bream beds, crankbaits such as a Little Earl, Shad Rap or a Bandit is what Ed would suggest. Other than a Trick Worm on a shaky head, go big on your plastics. An Ol’ Monster worm and a Magnum Lizard in junebug red, black emerald and candy bug are producing good fish. One other plastic working is a white Super Fluke, according to Ed. Look for these baits to continue to work in early July. The lake is still producing tournament limits of 16 to 20 pounds. There are still mayfly hatches on the lake, so watch the trees. Depending on the time of day you find them, try a plastic frog, buzzbait, prop bait and/or a shaky-head worm with a chartreuse tail in that area. The standard plan for the next three months will be topwater early in the grass and along seawalls—keep an eye out for mayflies—and then use crankbaits in 4 to 12 feet of water, especially when Georgia Power is pulling water. Finally, fish plastics and jigs around the docks, blowdowns and grass. Be safe, stay hydrated, and watch out for the crazy boaters!”

Crappie: Karl Pingry reports, “There is a crappie bite shooting docks with chartreuse-and-white Sugar Bug jigs. That is not a normal pattern this time of year on Sinclair.”