by Capt Sam Williams
Water temperature: low to mid 60’s, lake level: 188.29 msl, clarity: slight stain.
The water is slowly rising, the shore cover is still present and the baitfish are continuing to hold under these areas. The creeks are still hot early using popping frogs, spinner and buzzbaits. Following up a miss on the topwater missed hit with a quick Sinko presentation has been paying off. Blue/green and watermelon are a good choice of colors. The deeper fish are doing well on Carolina rigged soft plastics, jigs and deep cranks. With the cooler water, the bass are more active and hitting well.
Crappie are still suspended on deeper cover at 10 to 18 feet. Minnow tipped jigs are a good choice. Catfish are getting active on jugs with cut bait. Bottom fishing with worms and shrimp are doing well. Work the drops in the creeks and the river ledges. Panfish are always hungry around the shore cover and blow downs. This gives the bank fishermen a good opportunity for a mess of fresh fish for the supper table.
Bass fishermen, remember the advice from the Georgia DNR biologist earlier this year. We need to remove the spotted bass from Lake Eufaula. There is no longer a minimum size limit on spots, as well as some of the smaller largemouth. They have become over populated with the catch and release. This will help us grow bigger bass. We also have a great opportunity to help Auburn research by getting involved in the Swab A Hawg program. Pick up a swab kit at most bait shops in the Eufaula area and swab the tongue on all the largemouth you catch four pounds and bigger. The info is in the kit as well as a stamped envelope to send in your swab. You will be entered into a monthly drawing and a grand prize for the annual drawing. The results from this study will help both GA and AL DNR go after funding to stock Lake Eufaula with the Florida strain of largemouth. These Florida bass will grow faster and live longer, resulting in much bigger fish. The program has been successful on Lake Jordan for several years. Let’s help in these efforts to make our fishery better.
Please remember to check out www.alabamachildrensclassic.org for your opportunities to support our efforts to support our Vet’s, our children and Niemann-Pick disease research for terminal children. God Bless and good fishing.