By Stewart Venable:
If you’re like me, you’re glued to the fishing channels on TV and YouTube this month while dreaming of the incredible spring bite that is to come. What better time to plan out some awesome kayak fishing destinations for 2015. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the best kayak-friendly bass lakes in the Southeast.
The lake that first stole the show when I started kayak bass fishing was Lake Varner in Georgia. The lake is 850 acres, allows only electric motors and is full of big bass. With no big outboard boat traffic and great habitat for big fish, it’s no surprise the lake record largemouth is almost 16 pounds!
If you follow bass fishing in the Carolinas, you’ve no doubt heard this name: Shearon Harris. At more than 4,000 acres, it’s no farm pond, but the presence of grass and excellent forage make it prime for obese bass. The large amounts of grass also make it perfect for kayak anglers who can navigate much shallower water to target bass that do not see much pressure from the other boaters.
When it comes to big bass in South Carolina waters, there’s one lake, or lakes, that almost everyone will agree on, the Santee Cooper lakes. Lakes Marion and Moultrie are no secret, but still produce giant bags of healthy largemouth throughout the year. The best part about these lakes is they are also prime for kayak anglers. Having fished kayak tournaments on these waters, I can tell you they set up great for stealthy paddlers who are hunting for big fish. But of course, watch out for the gators.
To some, Lake Norman near Charlotte, N.C. may come as a surprise, but to those who fish it regularly, it’s a clear choice. With spotted bass being caught that break the 4-pound mark with regularity, this lake is an easy destination for Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia anglers. As expected, you will have larger boat traffic to deal with, but when the colder temps sideline a lot of the pleasure traffic, the spots come out to eat.
If giant spotted bass is your mission, there is one lake that stands above the rest in my mind. Carters Lake in north Georgia is home to some of the best spotted bass fishing in the Southeast. It’s big and it’s deep, but don’t be discouraged. On my first trip to target them, I landed five spotted bass totaling almost 20 pounds. If you’re open to the idea of live bait, then you’re chances go through the roof. These aggressive bass will greedily inhale live trout often meant for striper.
These are just a few lakes that are readily accessible for kayak anglers in the Southeast. There’s hundreds more, and the best way to find them is by doing your homework. Get online, ask friends, and above all else get the kayak on the water as much as possible in 2015!
Stewart Venable is a member of the Jackson Kayak Fishing Team and on the pro staffs of these companies: Dobyns, YakAttack, Bending Branches, Georgia Kayak Adventures, Ram Mounts. Contact him at (704) 307-9427.