Lake Sinclair Fishing Report – November 2018

Sinclair: Level: 1.4 feet low. Temp: Upper 60s to mid 70s. Clarity: Stained above Twin Bridges and Cedar Creek.  After the big rain that hit recently, look for pockets with incoming water to be stained in the back ends. The lower end is clear.

Bass: Tournament angler Karl Pingry reports, “Thank you to John Duvall for aiding me in this report. I have been fishing with the Morgan Arnold and Troy Harris of North Oconee High School on another lake this month. There has been a good grass bite for some bigger fish in the mornings on a frog. After that bite slows, catching fish has been pretty consistent, but catching quality fish has been tough. Target anything you can see—rock, grass, blowdowns, docks and seawalls. Throw a variety of baits until the fish tell you what they prefer that day. Rat-L-Traps, buzzbaits, shallow crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs and plastics are all in the mix. Buzzbaits and spinnerbaits are consistently working at the time of this report. I would start in the backs of pockets with incoming water and work my way out until the bite slows. After you have established the part of the pockets the bass are holding in, you can run from pocket to pocket and fish more efficiently.” Tournament angler Mark Denney Jr. reports, “Bass fishing is relatively slow as we move into fall. As the bass transition into their winter patterns, targeting creeks with reaction lures, such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits, are both great ways to imitate shad, which are the primary forage this time a year. If you find a productive area, follow up with a shaky head or a Texas rig around any visible cover to generate a few extra bites. Rip-rap around the lake should continue to get better as rocks radiate heat. A Blademaster Lures Suddeth Little Earl is a tight-wobbling crankbait that better imitates wintertime forage and can be a great producer when the water temperatures are low. When all else fails, target docks and shallow grass, as this pattern is a consistent producer year-round.”

Crappie: Allan Brown reports, “Fishing has been great on Sinclair the past week and should only improve. Trolling is paying off in coves and creeks off the main lake. Also, shooting docks is working. Troll jigs and grubs in 20 to 25 feet of water around structure and creek channel ledges. Brushpiles are also holding fish. Once you locate a brush, drop a hook and minnow rig down to them or back off and cast jigs. Later in the month as the water gets cooler, you may have to go deeper to locate more fish. Black/blue/black, bubblegum and acid rain all work good. Vary colors and jig weights until you figure out the combination they are biting.”