Lake Allatoona Fishing Report – July 2019

Allatoona: Level: Full pool. Temp: 83-85 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Tournament angler Matt Driver reports, “Fishing on Lake Allatoona in July is good with slightly lower temps this year. The fish are mostly out deep during the daylight hours. When temperatures are in the mid to low 80s, the majority of the bass are in the 15- to 25-foot range but shallower at night. At night, I’m targeting shallow cover and boulders with a Picasso Night Time Thumper spinnerbait. During the day, main-lake points and channel swings are the ticket for good schools of fish. I have been doing well with deep crankbaits, like the Spro Little John DD and the Strike King 6XC and 8XD in blue gizzard. I crank with a 5:2:1 Shimano Curado and a 7-11 fiberglass Shimano glass rod lined with 10-lb. Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon. The lighter line allows the bait get to the desired depth easier. Bass are still holding on brushpiles and rock. I am mixing up how I’m targeting these fish. I start off with a Big Bite Baits 4-inch Cane Thumper and a Picasso double weed guard tungsten swimbait head while searching for active fish. Then, I switch to a drop shot to catch those suspended fish that are a little more finicky. I use 6-lb. Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon, a No. 4 Gamakatsu drop-shot hook and a 3/8-oz Picasso tungsten teardrop weight. These fish are sometimes scattered on points and must be located with sonar. The key is not to spend time on fish that show up on sonar but don’t bite. Fish the area, and move to find active fish. I am still catching quite a few fish on the Picasso Suijin tipped with a 3.75-inch Big Bite Baits Jointed Jerk Minnow. This bait works year-round on Allatoona. I’ve been throwing the 1/2-oz. head on 10-lb. test Sunline Sniper fluorocarbon. It allows the bait to get down in the water column and fish it slowly. If all else fails, fish bluff walls. Have a fun and safe trip.”

Guide Bill Payne reports, “Summertime on Allatoona means night fishing. The high majority of hard-core Allatoona anglers fish at night in the summer. Less boat traffic, cooler temps and more active bass are all reasons enough to choose nighttime for fishing on Allatoona. Shaky heads, jigs, big crankbaits and spinnerbaits are my baits of choice. Finding cover in the 15- to 24-foot range and covering it with one of the aforementioned baits should produce a few bites and make for a productive evening of fishing. If you must fish during the day, target breaklines in the 18- to 30-foot range with shaky heads or drop shots. At daybreak, a topwater lure can produce a few bites and get the day started off on a positive note. Day or night, keep alert and watch out for boat traffic, especially at night.”

Linesides: Guide Robert Eidson reports, “Great! The bite is awesome and very consistent right now. The summer bite is in full swing. Downlining threadfin shad in the mouths of Stamp, Cooper, Iron Hill, Stamp and Clark creeks will be the ticket for July. Downlines are working best fished between 20 and 40 feet deep. The schools are huge right now. Our boats are averaging more than 25 fish on four-hour trips right now. The bite just doesn’t get any better than it is right now. If you’re thinking about introducing your kids or grandkids to fishing, the time is now.”