Lake level is a t 1062.83 (8.42 feet below full pool) and water temps are in the 57-60 degree range. The main lake is clear with some light stain in the backs of the creeks with recent rains. We are seeing more and more birds on the lake and even more will have shown up by this publication as the full moon was on November 27 and will be lots of help in finding the stripers as they have spread out all over the lake in recent weeks. The Chattahoochee and Chestatee arms, northern creeks like Latham/Johnson, Thompson, Gainesville, and Little River, and southern creeks like Sardis and Bald Ridge will all be holding fish in December. The stripers are really starting to key on small baits, so the go to artificials this month will be Capt Mack’s Mini Mack and Super Spoons. Striper Tackle Ultra Pro Swing and Pro Swimbait heads paired with a 3 inch Keitech Easy Shiner in Smoking White or Blue will also be great jig combinations to throw. The Mini Mack can be cast to surfacing schoolers or slow trolled 25-30 feet out as a down line around active birds. This stealth trolling technique of pulling Mini Macks at .9-1.1 mph straight below the boat or below a planer board 20-30 away from the boat will get fired up this month and will get better and better throughout the winter. There will be quite a few shallow fish in 5-15 feet of water on humps or rocky points in the afternoons as the water cools. Approach these areas that you have highlighted with your Lake Master map and fan cast from one side of the hump to the other with long casts and make a steady retrieve with the Mini Mack or jig and hang on. The Super Spoons in the ½ to 1 oz sizes in glitter, white/ silver foil, or white/ blue foil (chartreuse/ chartreuse foil in dirty water) will be best used on deeper schools of fish in 30-50’ of water on feeding flats off the creek channels or in ditches that run off the creek channels up into pockets and coves. After you mark large schools of bait in these areas you will find the stripers not far off. Drop the spoons vertically to these fish and using a sweeping motion lift and let the spoon flutter up and down thru the schools below. Lots of these bites will happen as the spoon is falling so make sure you’re paying attention and set that hook. Fish the spoon on a medium action Okuma Reflections rod paired with an Okuma Helios 30 loaded with 15 pound braid with a 5-7 foot 12 pound fluorocarbon leader. This setup will allow you to feel that bite even on the fall. The Super Spoon is very versatile and can be cast to surfacing fish as well with long casts and yo-yo’d back thru the school. Live bait options will be down lines and planer boards with herring, medium shiners, or small trout. Don’t forget that the fish are keying on small bait, so try to “match the hatch”.
As we approach the end of another year remember that during this season we celebrate the beginning of our chance to have eternal life. First and foremost this time of year is about the celebration of the birth of Christ who came to Earth so that we could have everlasting life. If you get a chance, read Luke 1 and 2 to get a grasp on how special his coming to Earth really was. The gifts, lights, trees, and parties are all nice, but Christ’s birth is the reason for this season.
Call 678-300-4865 today to book your Striper Experience!