Lake Allatoona Fishing Report – May 2023

Allatoona: Level: Full at 840. Temp: 67-71 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Tournament angler Matt Driver reports, “The month of May is all about shad. The bass spawn is coming to an end, and the shad spawn is going strong. The month of May is by far my favorite topwater month on Lake Allatoona. Walking baits, like a Zara Spook, and popper baits are hard to beat this time of year. They break until around 9 or 10 o’clock. Red-clay banks, rip-rap and boat docks are where the spawn is happening. Many times you will see shad flipping around, but that doesn’t always mean there will be fish feeding on them. Keep moving locations to find actively feeding fish. These fish cannot only be caught on top, but they can be caught on swimbaits, jerkbaits and flukes. As the sun comes up, the bite will slow some, but it will continue to be steady most of the day. The fluke and jerkbait, as well as the swimbait, will be the tactic. I use most of my time to locate fish. Long casts are the key to getting bites. Typically, I throw the jerkbait and fluke-style baits on 10-lb. Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon. For larger swimbaits, I will use 16- and 20-lb. Sunline Sniper Fluorocarbon. Toward the end of May, we will start to see the bass moving out and beginning to key on brush and blowdowns. Enjoy the shad spawn while it’s happening this month.”

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Linesides: Guide Robert Eidson, of First Bite Guide Service, reports, “The fishing is good! The spawn run is almost over. Most of the fish are back on the main lake and are starting to set up on a summer pattern. Big schools of hybrids can be found anywhere from the S-turns to as far south as Tanyard Creek. The downrod bite is the most productive bite going on the lake right now. Fishing live shad at depths from 20 to 30 feet is producing for our boats from one end of the lake to the other. Our bait of choice has been big threadfins, with herring running a close second. These fish can be found on or around most points, humps and flats. Good electronics can be a big help during the summer months. Summertime is awesome for numbers on Lake Allatoona.”