Lake Sinclair Fishing Report July 2016

Sinclair: Level: 1.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid to upper 80s. Clarity: Light stain.

Bass: Tournament pro Mark Denny Jr. reports, “The morning bite is crucial with the sun getting up very early during the summer months. Covering water quickly with a buzzbait seems to generate a majority of the quality bites and helps pick off a few active fish that are ready to bite first thing in the morning. Once the sun is out, docks seem to be the significant pattern and should stay consistent all the way through July. Use your Humminbird electronics offshore to find any cover or structure that may be holding a fish in 15 to 25 feet of water. A Carolina rig, crankbait and jig are all good choices for targeting these deeper area. Fishing can be tough if you’re in the wrong area. If you’re not getting bites, move the boat and try another location. Once you find a location where you are getting a few bites, you can usually slow down and cover the area to catch a decent limit of fish. As always, a drop shot or shaky head are both good options if the fishing is extremely slow.”

Linesides: The tailrace below Wallace Dam is loaded with stripers and hybrids right now. Cast a 3-inch pearl Sassy Shad on a 1/4- or 3/8-oz. head, reeling it very fast just under the surface. Cast as close to the dam as possible. When Georgia Power is generating more than two turbines, the fish get really active. As long as the weather remains hot, the fish will be there. You have to wear your life jacket from Highway 16 up to the dam.