Lake Allatoona Fishing Report February 2014

Allatoona: Level: 11.9 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 40s. Clarity: Heavy stain.

Bass: Tournament angler Matt Driver reports, “February is a month of change. Even with cold temps continuing, we still begin to see a bass migration. The water was stained for much of January and even into February, so the Float-n-Fly bite has been a little slower than past years. The crankbait bite is good for locating scattered bass. The shallower bite in the 6- to 12-foot range has been consistent. Shad Raps and Spro Tiny Little John DDs have been the ticket. The jig and shaky-head bite will continue to get better by the end of the month. Fish ditches and areas leading to future spawning flats. Try the 3/8-oz. Kacy Kustom jig in brown-orange and bluegill-fire fished slow on 15-lb. Sunline fluorocarbon. Brushpiles on these areas have had fish holding tight. The water temps have remained cold, and we will not see much of a change till March, but the bass will start to move no matter the temps.”

Linesides: Slow. Guide Robert Eidson reports, “The bite on Allatoona is almost non-existent for numbers, but there are a few big fish being caught. The lake is looking better, but there is still about 80 percent of the lake that is still muddy or heavily stained. The water temps are in the upper 30s to the low 40s, and the shad kill has started. I look for the kill to be in full swing by the middle of February. This will slow the fishing up for a few more weeks, but on the bright side, it will make for an awesome spring. The key to catching fish right now is to find clearer water. There is clear to lightly stained water from Allatoona Landing to Red Top. Plus, the backs of most creeks are starting to show signs of clearing. This is the best water on the lake right now. These sections of the lake are holding fish, but getting them to eat is challenging. The bigger fish are more out to eat medium to large shad and trout fished on planner boards and freelines. These bites are very few and far between, but if you stay with it, you can catch a trophy fish this time of year.”