Lake Blackshear Fishing Report – November 2008

Blackshear: Level: Full pool. Temp: 74 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Ernie Broughton said the fishing has been fair for this time of year. “Steve Phillips won the last tournament fishing alone,” said Ernie. “He had 15.9 pounds and the big fish at 4.8.” Ernie said most of the fish were still coming from up the lake on spinnerbaits, worms and frogs fished over the grassbeds. Beginning Nov. 1, the lake will be dropped 5 feet for landowners to work on their docks, and that will pull fish to deeper water. According Clint Brownlee, as the water temp drops the fish tend to follow the shad into the creeks. “Shad-colored crankbaits around docks near the creek channels tend to work well. I would focus on docks about halfway back in the creeks. If the crankbait doesn’t get bit, I would try a 1/8-oz. split-shot rig with a green-pumpkin Trick Worm around the docks, especially on sunny days.”

Crappie: “It’s halfway decent,” said Rusty Parker. “You have to locate them, but they are biting.” Rusty and his dad caught fish over brush in 28 to 30 feet of water on a river ledge recently by tightlining double-minnow rigs with a 1/4-oz. weight on the end of the line. “The fish were suspended about 14 feet deep over the trash,” said Rusty. “We caught 30. The size was ok. No giants, but a few good ones.” Rusty said the trollers were in the creeks, but it has been a hit-and-miss proposition with the cold fronts.