Lake Allatoona Fishing Report February 2011

Allatoona: Level: 13.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 39 to 41 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Fair. Craig Miller at the Dugout said with the extreme cold water temperatures there is a tremendous shad kill on the lake. “The best technique is still the float-n-fly. Use a 12- to 14-foot leader, and fish steep banks and points on the main lake,” Craig said. “Punisher Duck Feather flies seem to be working, as well as the Float-N-Flash Fly.” He said these flies work well because they mimic small baitfish, especially with all the dying shad in the lake. Some anglers are catching a few bass on a Spro McStick 95 jerkbait in these same areas, and jigs and shaky heads will work, but you must fish extremely slow. “Fish these baits on points,” Craig said. “Any natural colors in the green and brown shades should do the job. As February moves on, the crankbait bite should pick up. Cast No. 5 Shad Raps or Bandit 200s in crawfish patterns.” Matt Driver reports, “February history shows fishing begins to get better throughout the month. The same baits and techniques used in January hold true for February, the only thing different is fish locations are slowly changing. Begin to transition to points and channels and ditches leading into the creeks. As temps slowly rise, the jerkbaits and deep-suspending jerkbaits start to get good. I use a Spro McRip 85 in old glory and blue bandit. While the water is cold, I use a slow retrieve sometimes leaving the bait idle for 20 to 30 seconds, and as the water warms I go to the McStick 85 and get a little more aggressive with my retrieve.” Right now, Matt recommends a drop shot fished vertically in 15 to 30 feet of water on light line with a 3/16-oz. weight. “Use the graph to find them, and lower the bait and slowly jiggle until you feel the rod load up,” Matt said. “The float-n-fly seems to get better for me again in February. Leaders ranging from 10 to 15 feet are the way to go. I’m using a Red Rooster feather fly in shad patterns or white, and I’m also using a hybrid fly made of both feather and soft plastic called the Dominator. Not moving the fly gets more bites than an active retrieve.”

Crappie: Fair. “The crappie are holding tight to the deep brush and ledges,” said guide Stewart Wright. “If we have some warm days, trolling will pick up. Find the warmest water possible, with cover. Troll 1/16-oz. Hal Fly jigs in the Christmas tree color and black and chartreuse. Be sure to tip your baits with small shiners. You can also troll with 2-inch Big Bite curly tails in the same colors.”

Linesides: Dead. Robert Eidson said to go somewhere other than Allatoona if you want to catch fish. The shad kill is in full swing, there a billion seagulls on the lake and you can’t buy a bite with live bait, trolling or with jigging spoons. Robert is hoping the bite will turn on about the middle of February. The south end of the lake around Iron Hill and the Allatoona Creek arm always ramps up first. Start on the south end with flatlines and planer boards and small baits like medium shiners or threadfins. A three-arm umbrella rig loaded with 1/2-oz. bucktails should also produce.