PFA Fishing Reports – October 2006

Marben PFA: Level: Margery Lake is about four inches below full. Bennett Lake remains very low. The boat ramp is not useable for boats that need to be floated off the trailer. Temp: Mid to upper 70s. Clarity: Lightly stained, 18- to 26-inch visibility.

Bass: Bass remain active and are moving into shallower water during the day to feed as the water temperature drops. Spinnerbaits and plastic worms and lizards continue to be steady producers.

Crappie: There is little crappie fishing currently, but they typically begin biting fairly well at this time and continue on into cooler weather. White or chartreuse jigs retrieved slowly with or without a float continue to be the preferred method of most anglers.

Bream: Bream fishing has remained steady. Waxworms and pink worms fished on the bottom are popular.

Paradise PFA: Level: Most lakes are 12 to 18 inches below full. Lake Patrick is 18 inches low. Temp: 80-82 degrees. Clarity: Lakes are slightly stained. Visibility on Lake Patrick is 36 inches.

Bass: Good, according to area manager Charles West. “Schooling bass are feeding on baitfish in lakes Patrick, Bobben, Russell, and Horseshoe 5. The Zara Spook and similar topwater baits are the preferred choice. Boat anglers in Lake Bobben have been catching 10- to 12-inch bass with an occasional 16- to 18-inch keeper. Although most bass are running a little small, some anglers are reporting boating 20 to 30 bass per trip. This would be a good lake to take a child fishing,” Charles said. “Bank anglers have also done well fishing Trick Worms in the shallows, casting on schooling bass.”

Bream: Good. “Nice catches of bluegill are being reported,” Charles said. “Red wigglers and crickets are the most common bait with crickets being the No. 1 choice. Lakes Patrick, Bobben, and Horseshoe 5 have been the best for bluegill. Fish in four to six feet of water with the bait suspended just off the bottom. Hand-sized bream have also been biting red on white Beetle Spins in most lakes. Cast around fallen trees and heavy cover for best results. Redear or shellcracker are biting well on red wigglers and jumpers in Lake Patrick and along the bank near the boat ramp on Horseshoe 5. The best method for catching a good mess is to use light tackle and concentrate on shoreline cover.”

Crappie: Good. “Crappie are biting in three to four feet of water using 1/32- to 1/16-oz. float-rigged jigs,” said Charles. “Crappie have been hitting blue and white, black and green, and solid white jigs in Lakes Paradise, Patrick, Russell, Tacklebuster, Horseshoe 1, and Horseshoe 5.” Shane Smith an avid and frequent fisherman at Paradise PFA recommends fishing the white jig in clearer water. “They are starting to bite pretty good, and I have caught my limit about every time,” Shane said.

Catfish: Good. Charles said, “Lakes Paradise and Patrick have been good for catfish in the 1- to 2-lb. range. Catfish are being caught using mullet gut or liver. Horseshoe 1 and 2 have also given up some three-quarter to pound-sized fish, and reports of good catches are continuing to come in. Lee Goddard, a regular at Paradise PFA, has been doing pretty well fishing for big cats in Lake Paradise. He recommends starting at sunrise, using mullet gut, and fishing with heavy tackle,” Charles said.

Note: The Tifton Police Department and DNR will host a Senior Citizens and Kids Fishing Event October 7, 2006 starting at 7:30 a.m. For more information, contact Paradise PFA at (229) 533-4792.