Louie B
Well-known member
Man it is cold out there I've had a run of bad luck lately with trips canceling due to this extreme cold weather. I can't blame anyone who doesn't want to get out in 15 degree mornings that's for sure. BUT the big spots are biting, if you can tough the weather the bite is there. The high today was 35, wind chill never got out of the 20's according to our local weather.
I fished half the day with Matt Driver of Pro Angler Radio and the other half with Georgia Outdoor News writer Ronnie Garrison. Ronnie was writing the January Map of the Month so check it out in a few weeks, should be a great article. The bite was strong most of the day with a dead zone (no bites) from 10am-1130am, other than that it was steady. I had approx 20 bites today boating approx 15 spots w/ a few beautiful 4lb fish. Patterns today were Football Jigs, Drop Shot (sight fishing), Grubs, and Float N Fly. Ronnie and I really wanted this article to help someone show up in January blind w/ no practice and catch fish. January is a tough month. We focused the article on the Float N Fly and drop shot. Needless to say there's not a lot going on in mid-late January and unless we have a stretch of major cold weather the FnF should be your best option. And as far as the drop shot, there's always a drop shot bite on Carters regardless of month or water temp.
Here's a quick pattern break down for anyone planning on coming to the lake soon:
FnF: The fish we caught on FnF were with 12-14 ft leaders using 1/16 "Carters Special" Red Rooster Fly. All the FnF fish were on channel swing banks.
Drop Shot: Most of the drop shot fish I'm catching are either what I call "Loners" or in very small schools suspended over deep water following deep bait. Matt and I got a 4lb Spot on video today that was 20ft deep suspended over 35ft bottom.
Grub: The grub I've been using is real basic, any shad pattern on a lite 3/16 up to 1/4 jig head fished slow around channel swings will work.
Jig: Football Jig fish were on small ledges running off the channel banks. Look for small outcroppings coming off the bluffs. They are easy to find with your Side Imaging unit.
Here's a picture (phone) of two of the beautiful spots, Ronnie will send me more photo's from the day and I'll get em on the site. I'm sure Matt will get the video when he has time too. Good luck on the water, dress for it and it's not that bad !!!
LB
I fished half the day with Matt Driver of Pro Angler Radio and the other half with Georgia Outdoor News writer Ronnie Garrison. Ronnie was writing the January Map of the Month so check it out in a few weeks, should be a great article. The bite was strong most of the day with a dead zone (no bites) from 10am-1130am, other than that it was steady. I had approx 20 bites today boating approx 15 spots w/ a few beautiful 4lb fish. Patterns today were Football Jigs, Drop Shot (sight fishing), Grubs, and Float N Fly. Ronnie and I really wanted this article to help someone show up in January blind w/ no practice and catch fish. January is a tough month. We focused the article on the Float N Fly and drop shot. Needless to say there's not a lot going on in mid-late January and unless we have a stretch of major cold weather the FnF should be your best option. And as far as the drop shot, there's always a drop shot bite on Carters regardless of month or water temp.
Here's a quick pattern break down for anyone planning on coming to the lake soon:
FnF: The fish we caught on FnF were with 12-14 ft leaders using 1/16 "Carters Special" Red Rooster Fly. All the FnF fish were on channel swing banks.
Drop Shot: Most of the drop shot fish I'm catching are either what I call "Loners" or in very small schools suspended over deep water following deep bait. Matt and I got a 4lb Spot on video today that was 20ft deep suspended over 35ft bottom.
Grub: The grub I've been using is real basic, any shad pattern on a lite 3/16 up to 1/4 jig head fished slow around channel swings will work.
Jig: Football Jig fish were on small ledges running off the channel banks. Look for small outcroppings coming off the bluffs. They are easy to find with your Side Imaging unit.
Here's a picture (phone) of two of the beautiful spots, Ronnie will send me more photo's from the day and I'll get em on the site. I'm sure Matt will get the video when he has time too. Good luck on the water, dress for it and it's not that bad !!!
LB
what a couple chunkers! I'm also interested in making a trip there pretty soon.
