Lake Sinclair Fishing Reports – January 2021

Sinclair: Level: The lake is back to full pool after a four-week drawdown. Temp: 50 to 57 degrees. Clarity: Slightly stained mid-lake and clearer water toward the dam area.

Bass: Tournament angler Karl Pingry reports, “Ed at Lakeside Chevron says a turtleback-bladed spinnerbait in the back of Rooty Creek as well as up both Little River and way up the Oconee is a productive pattern right now. The bass also seem to be in the back thirds of the pockets. A spinnerbait, a Little Earl crankbait, a blue-and-chrome Rat-L-Trap and a jerkbait (in the clearer water) are the moving baits of choice. Finally, plastic worms in junebug red flipping the docks and blowdowns is a pattern that will work. Ed said look for these patterns to continue to produce into January. The jig ’n pig and a ChatterBait will also be effective baits to try in the same areas mentioned. Two keys to January: One, find the pockets with shad present. Two, fish the pockets that have afternoon sun. They will warm quicker, especially if the sun comes out three days in a row. Don’t be surprised if some of those bass suspend in the water column.”

Crappie: Allan Brown reports, “Crappie have been really good trolling in major creek channels. Look for them to go deeper as mid January arrives. Some are still being caught on deep brushpiles, as well. Docks will still pay off near deep water along creek channel areas. We will have a few warm days in January, so look on flats in 6 to 8 feet of water. Fish will move up after a warm spell. Troll 1/24- or 1/32-oz. jigs on these shallow areas to catch fish. Pockets anywhere off the main lake are usually a good place to start.”