PFA Fishing Reports – October 2007

Public Fishing Area Reports

Marben PFA: Level: Several of the ponds remain low due to lack of rainfall. Margery Lake is about 4 inches below full. Bennett is very low, and the boat ramp remains closed. Canoes, kayaks and small jonboats are options on Bennett until the water level increases. Clarity: 18 to 26 inches. Temp: Mid to upper 70s.

Bass: Bass remain active and are moving into shallower water during the day to feed as the water temperature drops, according to John Wilson. “Spinnerbaits, plastic worms and lizards continue to be steady producers,” he said.

Crappie: Picking up at Fox Lake. White or chartreuse jigs retrieved slowly with or without a float continue to be the preferred method of most anglers, John reports.

Bream: Bream fishing has remained steady with waxworms and pink worms fished on the bottom.

Paradise PFA: Levels: Most lakes are 2 to 3 feet below full pool. Lake Patrick is 3 feet below full. Temp: 80-82 degrees. Clarity: Lakes are slightly stained. Visibility on Patrick is 36 inches.

Bass: Good. Schooling bass are feeding on baitfish in Patrick, Bobben, Russell and Horseshoe 5, according to Charles West. He recommended a Zara Spook or similar topwater baits. “Boat anglers in Lake Patrick have been catching 10- to 12-inch bass with an occasional 16- to 18-inch keeper. Although most are running small, some anglers are reporting 20 to 30 bass per trip,” Charles said.

Bream: Good for bluegill. “Red wigglers and crickets are the most common bait, with crickets being the No. 1 choice,” Charles said. “Lakes Patrick, Bobben and Horseshoe 5 have been the best for bluegill. Fish in 4 to 6 feet of water with the bait suspended just off the bottom. Hand-size bream have also been biting red-on-white Beetle Spins in most lakes.” Shellcracker are biting well on red wigglers and jumpers in Patrick.

Crappie: Fair. Fish in 3 to 4 feet of water using 1/32- to 1/16-oz. float-rigged jigs. Crappie have been hitting blue and white, black and green, and solid white jigs in Patrick, Russell, Tacklebuster, Horseshoe 1 and Horseshoe 5.

Catfish: Fair for fish in the 1- to 2-lb. range in Lake Patrick. Directly across from the boat ramp has been a good spot for anglers. Chicken liver or mullet gut is the bait of choice.

Note: The Tifton Police Department and the DNR will host a Senior Citizens and Kids’ Fishing Event on Oct. 6 starting at 7:30 a.m. Call Paradise PFA at (229) 533-4792.