Lake Allatoona Fishing Report – September 2008

Allatoona: Level: Down 4.6 feet below full pool. Temp: 84-87 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Inconsistent. “It’s basically a junk pattern — covering as much water as possible with finesse-type baits,” said Mike Bucca. “August historically is a tough month.” He recommends fishing deep brush with drop-shot rigs, spoons and jigs. “You really have to cover quite a bit of brush to scratch out an average limit. The drop shot is doing best on the bluffs. Pick a good shoreline, and grunt it out slowly in the 15- to 20-foot range. I am down to using 4-lb. fluorocarbon to get as many bites as I can. Small baits like a Tiny Fluke, Shad Shape worm and also a Baby Sluggo in natural colors have been best. During the very hot days, a Pointer 78 worked around the wave barriers has produced a few nice fish for me. I expect the awesome Senko fishing to start within the next couple of weeks if our cooler air temps continue. All you will need is a 4-inch blue-pearl Senko, and you can load the boat by casting it to any of the bluff walls on the lake, as well as to visible cover.”

Linesides: Guide Robert Eidson said the fishing has finally slowed down after a great summer. “We’re back down to normal numbers; it’s still good though — 12 to 15 fish per trip. It’s an early morning bite. No big stripers — they’re all up the river — but there are a ton of little 1- and 2-lb. stripers and some good hybrids.” The south end within sight of the dam is best. “The key is fishing between 18 and 24 feet. There is no oxygen below 24 feet right now. Live bait is real hard to keep alive, so change your bait every five minutes. Shiners will fish almost as well as shad. They’ll live longer and are more active on the hook. Fish 10-lb. line on the main lines on downrods with a long leader between 6 and 8 feet, and match hooks to the bait size. The threadfin I’ve been netting have been small, 3-inch size. Use a hook as small as No. 2 or No. 4.” Robert also mentioned a great white-bass bite. Look for schooling whites from Kellogg to the dam. Cast to breaking fish or drop a jigging spoon.