The November breakout continues. As turnover finishes, stripers will spread across the lake and anglers should expect a kitchen-sink month. Topwater plugs, 3/8 oz StriperTackle Pro Swim Bait Head with a 3” swim bait body, Mini Macks, planer boards, flatlines, and U-rigs can all be productive as fish and bait continue moving into the fall pattern.
How the Pattern Will Change This Month
Early in November, turnover will continue to affect water clarity and fish location. Areas that have finished turning over may be clear, while active turnover can leave the water weak coffee-colored. As more of the lake finishes, fish will continue breaking out of their summer areas and can be caught throughout the lake.
First thing in the morning, and throughout cloudy days, large schools should come to the surface in the main creek channels and the river channel from Brown’s Bridge to the dam. These schools may not stay up long, so be ready to run and gun. Later in the month, the shallow live-bait bite should improve as fish move onto 15- to 30-foot points and humps.
Where Fish Will Set Up
- Main creek channels and the Chattahoochee River channel from Brown’s Bridge to the dam, especially during early-morning or cloudy-day surface activity
- Open-water areas where topwater schools have recently appeared
- Points and humps 25-35 feet deep with brush for the U-rig bite
- Shallower points and humps 15-30 feet deep as the month progresses
- Areas identified by gulls and other birds as more and more arrive throughout November
What Will Work Consistently
Topwater Plugs
Be ready for short bursts of surface activity early in the morning and during cloudy periods. When a school comes up, get close enough to make a long cast without running over the fish. Spooks, Pencil Poppers, Chug Bugs, and Magic Swimmers are all good choices. Chrome, bone, and ghost are dependable colors.
Swim Bait Head and Mini Macks
Striper Tackle Pro Swim Bait Head with a 3” swim bait body and Capt. Mack’s Mini Macks will remain strong artificial options this month. Keep them rigged and ready so you can respond quickly when fish surface or show beneath the boat.
Planer Boards and Flatlines in Open Water
The most dependable live-bait approach will be patiently pulling small herring or large shiners through open water where you have recently seen surface activity. Set baits 30-50 feet behind planer boards and 50-75 feet behind the boat. Pull them at 1.0-1.2 mph. On brighter days with less cloud cover, add one or two No. 5 split shots above the swivel to place the bait a few feet deeper.
U Rigs Over Brush
The Capt. Mack’s U-rig bite should improve through November, especially from late morning into the afternoon. Pull U-rigs over 25- to 35-foot points and humps with brush at 2.5-3.0 mph, with the rigs 100-135 feet behind the boat. The fish will often be very close to the brush. Carry a rig retriever so you can back over a snag and recover the rig.
The Developing Shallow Bait Bite
As November progresses, pull planer boards and flatlines over 15- to 30-foot points and humps. Set herring or shad 50-125 feet behind the boat or board and adjust the distance as the fish move shallower.
What Will Stop Working
Waiting for surface schools to stay up. These schools may surface only briefly. Keep moving through productive main-lake areas and be prepared to cast as soon as they appear.
Pulling U rigs too far from the cover. November U-rig fish will often hold tight to brush. If you are never contacting cover, adjust your path so the rig runs closer to the brush piles.
Relying on one presentation all day. The productive approach can shift from topwater early to open-water live bait, U-rigs, or a shallow planer-board bite later. Keep several options ready.
Ignoring bird activity. As the birds arrive after the full moon, they can narrow down a large search area and help identify where bait and stripers are moving.
Key Takeaways for Anglers
- Expect fish to spread across the lake as turnover finishes and the November breakout develops.
- Run and gun main creek and river channels from Brown’s Bridge to the dam for short-lived surface schools.
- Keep topwater plugs, StriperTackle Pro Swim Bait Head with a 3” swim bait body, and a Mini Mack ready for fast-moving fish.
- Pull herring or large shiners 30-50 feet behind planer boards and 50-75 feet behind the boat at 1.0-1.2 mph.
- On bright days, add one or two No. 5 split shots to move live bait slightly deeper.
- Pull U-rigs 100-135 feet behind the boat at 2.5-3.0 mph over 25- to 35-foot points and humps with brush.
- As the month progresses, check 15- to 30-foot points and humps with planer boards and flatlines.
- Use bird activity to help locate bait and fish as the November full moon approaches.
What to Expect Heading Into December
The shallow-water pattern should continue improving as water temperatures fall and more bait and fish move onto points, humps, and into creek systems. Continue following the birds, watching for surface activity, and adjusting between artificial lures, live bait, and U-rigs based on what the fish show you that day.
Captain Ron’s Final Thoughts
November is a month to keep the kitchen sink ready. The fish can be on top early, roaming open water shortly afterward, holding near brush later in the day, and moving shallower as the month progresses. Stay mobile, watch the birds and the surface, and be prepared to change presentations quickly. Get out there and catch them up!
Captain Ron’s Note:
In these really uncertain times, we need to remember that God is overall. Psalms 103:19 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens and His kingdom rules overall.” We might be anxious about what is going on in our communities, state, country and the world, but we must remember that God is in control of it all. We are all a part of His plan and must have faith in Him and His plan. It’s not easy going through these things, but if we can keep Him first in our lives, then all else will follow.