Carters Lake Fishing Report (GADNR)

[mygreenihc]

This report is from the GADNR website.


CARTERS LAKE

Stripers and Hybrids: (Striper and hybrid report provided by Robert Eidson of First Bite Guide Service, 770 827-6282) -Fishing has been good for big fish. Carters has never been known for numbers, but it is known for big fish of all species. This past week, my clients have boated and lost some monster stripers. We've fished a limited schedule this past month due to the cold weather, but still boated four fish from 21 to 24 pounds and lost some really big ones too. The key to Carters this year is shad. Every year, these fish seem to hit one bait better than the other. Last year it was alewife, the year before trout, but this year shad is king. The downline bite is by far the best bite, with limited action on planer boards and free-lines this year.  Downlines fished from 50 to 80 feet over bait are working best.  Most of the action we are getting on is right at sun-up.  All the main creeks are holding fish. The bigger your shad, the better. Remember, you're not going to load the boat, but some true trophies are biting right now.

Bass: (Bass fishing report courtesy of Louie Bartenfield, 706-218-6609) –Water temps 48-52, lake level: +10ft over pool, clarity: still good throughout most of the lake, but heavily stained in river & behind beach area (Johnson Creek).  Spotted Bass are still following big schools of alewife throughout the lower to mid lake sections. These fish are roaming in 25-50ft depths over creek channels, but will occasionally stage near a bluff or ditch. If you run into them you can catch a few fish quick, but they're shutting off fast. Drop shots, jigging spoons and Spotsticker Underspins have been my best producers for these fish. With the recent rains and high water, I have been finding a few fish shallow as well, which has been refreshing. I've been dragging jigs and casting crank baits around the flooded wood. The bites are few and far between, but you can run around and catch some this way. Looking forward to the warmer weather & longer days just around the corner. Good luck out there!