Fishing News - 6/9/03
Lake Weiss Fishing Report
DATE: 06-09-2003
LAKE LEVEL: 563.2
NORMAL FULL POOL: 564.0
SURFACE TEMP: 74 in am - 80 evening
WATER CLARITY: Good
CRAPPIE: Believe it or not they are still catching
a few. Lot of short fish. They are catching them on live bait and artificial
bait. Bubble Gum jigs seem to be the best color. About any structure you see
is going to hold fish. I talked to Harry this afternoon, he guided
yesterday and he said he was fishing about 8-10 feet deep on brush piles. They
didn't keep a whole lot but they had a nice mess of fish. He said they caught
well over 100.
BASS: The bass are off the bed and mean. A lot of
good fish coming very shallow. Spinner bait and Buzz bait early around grass
beds and grassy points. Carolina rigged lizard. The grass beds are best if
they are adjacent to deep water or ditches. For some reason white seems to be
the color on spinner baits. The spots have moved out to the humps and drops
and old river channel edge. The humps and drops are not that hard to
find with a good map.
STRIPE: There is a few being taken but they are
kinda sorta hard to come by. They are catching some decent fish at night under
the Cowan Creek bridge, right there at Roosters. The old cotton gin is holding
a few and they are catching some in the tail water (if you are a brave soul).
Any of the deeper water, they have been suspending 6-10 feet deep in 20-25
feet of water. Without good electronics you might be flapping.
WHITE BASS: They are taking a few at the dam when
they are generating right up against the wall.
CATFISH: About all you want any way you want to
fish for them. Cut shad is the best bait but about anything will work. Trot
line, jug or rod & reel.
BREAM: It won't be long and they will be back in
deeper water and easy to find. (Guntersville)
I had a long conversation with Dan Catchings, the
state biologist. We have some concerns here about a possible disease that the
bass are carrying. Mr. Catchings knew instantly what it was. A red spot
disease. This is caused by a parasite. Quoting Mr. Catchings, "It is a
natural occurrence after the spawn. " The good news is, most of the fish
will survive. The parasite is harmless to humans. So if you catch one with it
do not automatically believe it is going to die.
Stripe: I do
not have to tell you stripe fishermen that stripe fishing on Weiss has been
tough. Mr. Catchings was aware that we have reduced numbers but was not aware
of the severity of it. He is going to get with the State Of Georgia tomorrow
and see what is going on in their natural spawning grounds. The stripe
population has been in decline for about 5 or 6 years. The state of Georgia is
doing quite a bit of shocking and a major study on stripe movement. This is a
great resource and they do not eat crappie. But 30 per person per day is
ridiculous! It is all right if you want some to take to the table but this
terrible waste is ridiculous! Mr. Catchings believes that it may be time to
take another look at the creel limit. I whole-heartedly agree. If you can
over-fish the Atlantic ocean you can certainly over-fish Weiss.
Crappie: Mr. Catchings had a great deal to say about the crappie population. He told me that we had a great spawn here in 2001. And we had a decent spawn in 2002. The 2003 numbers are not here yet but he feels good about them. He also predicts that we are going to have one of the better fall season than we have had in years. News like that I can handle. We need to take a look at the creel limit on crappie too.
If you see somebody breaking our laws while you are on the water, you need to call and report it. The number is 1-800-272-4263. I have tried this number and it works. I called back in the latter part of April and Gary showed up with in 30 minutes. Thank You Gary!
Hope everyone has a great summer!
Sincerely, Steve
www.lakeweissguideservice.com 256-927-6617
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