Lake Nottely Fishing Report – January 2010

Nottely: Level: 11.4 feet below full pool. Temp: 55 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Stripers: Josh Garrison reports, “Look for the warmest water on the lake. If there has been a warm rain, head to the backs of the creeks and the river. If there hasn’t been any significant rain, head to the main body from Point 5 downstream. The stripers have already switched their focus to the tiny threadfin shad that seem to be everywhere. On calm days, look for areas with the most surface activity or locate the largest concentrations of bait and fish — usually around the large creek mouths at Ivy Log, Poteete and Conley creeks. Try large trout on standard planers with light line and circle hooks trolled at 1.5 to 2 mph, or go small and try to match the hatch. Use a medium-sized shiner on a No. 2 hook, a 1/4-oz. leadhead with extremely light line and a 15-foot flourocarbon leader. Spread these rigs as wide as possible, and slow troll them at no more than 0.5 mph. When you mark fish or get close to surface action, stop the boat and let the bait fall into the schooling stripers.”