Lake Burton/Rabun Fishing

Lake Burton Water level : full pool Water Temp: 47deg Clarity: Slight stain
Walleye: The Walleye are in full spawn. We have been catching a few fish down the rivers a few miles away from the spawning grounds. Small crank baits have been working well  (bright colors). We have caught a few on jigs and night crawlers this week.  Look for these fish to finish spawning and start feeding aggressively in the next week or two.  Medium Crappie minnows on a jig head works we’ll in the post spawn.  Work these jigs in and around brush piles and rock out cropping’s.
Bass: The Spotted Bass have began their spring feeding ritual. Most of these fish are in the 12 to 18ft range. As soon as the water warms up a few degrees the top water action will heat up. We have been catching most of our fish in a Fish Head Spin tipped with a white fluke. Slow retrieve this bait over main lake humps and points.  The jerk bait bite is good and will only get better in the next few weeks. Target red clay banks when throwing a jerk bait the sun warms these areas up faster and more of the fish seem to congregate here. Use a jerk, jerk, jerk, long pause during the retrieve. The bite will be on fire as soon as we see that upper 50 low 60 degree water temperature.

Trout: The Brown Trout have started feeding on the Blue-Back Herring populations that have moved up shallow in the creeks. We have caught fish on light spinners and jerk baits(Spro-McStick). Most of our bigger fish have been caught on a 5 inch jerk bait. Try using a steady slow retrieve on these baits. The trolling bite should pick up in the next few weeks.

Good luck!! Capt. Wes Carlton Georgia Lake Fishing 7703189777 www.georgialakefishing.com

The Walleye are in full spawn as of this week 3/26/2013. The Walleye do not necessarily all go up the major river channel of the lake you are fishing. Some of these fish spawn in smaller feeder creeks and tributaries that have a rocky bottom. Georgia lakes can be a little tricky when comparing them to North American lakes. Walleye are very structured oriented fish. Most of our lakes here in Georgia with Walleye have submerged timber and numerous hilltops. Most of the main lake points have brushpiles. This makes most of the Northern trolling techniques a little difficult. Although trolling is possible it is important to learn the areas you are trolling first. I have lost a lot of fishing gear trying to learn this fishery over the last 7 years. During the peak of spawn the fish are primarily interested in one thing (spawning). Not all Walleye spawn at the same time. I usually pull down the river or creeks a few miles from where the fish are spawning. Keep a close eye on your electronics. Most of the Walleye schools I see are 10 to 15 fish. Trolling shallow running crank baits this time of year helps me locate the fish easier (Shad Raps SR5). I try to keep these baits just off of the brush lines. Once I have marked or caught a few fish trolling I will park the boat close and anchor or deploy the trolling motor. This is a good time to live bait fish. I use large crappie minnows ,Blue-Backs and night crawlers. Free lining and down lining seem to work best. Try using a light leader (8to 10lbs)Walleye will feed sporadically during the day. “They only feed at night” not true! I have had best success in the morning hours but often catch larger fish during the day. There are several other techniques we use throughout the year, these are just a few for thought. Hopefully this fishery will continue to grow and with our support I am sure it will. The GADNR puts a lot of work effort in this program. Hope some of this is helpful. Capt. Wes

Lake Burton/Rabun Fishing Report

Water: Clear

Temp:  49 deg

Level Down: 9.9ft

Bass:

The bass have moved up a little shallower than normal. Most of the spots we have been catching are in 28ft to 30ft of water. The last couple of weeks the Spotted Bass were in the 40 to 50 ft range. Most of the lakes Blue-Back Herring population are on the south end of the Lakes. With this in mind, fish the main lake points and creek ditches. We have been catching most of the bigger bass on drop-shot (Robo worms) and Hopkins spoons (silver). The bite is a soft bite, so be patient. The Large-mouth bite has been a little slow the last few days but should pick up as we near the first of February. There have been a few Large-mouth being catch in the backs of creeks early in the morning on worms(finesse).

Trout: The elusive Brown Trout are beginning to bite in the main lake channel. We have had our best luck trolling 20ft to 30ft with down-riggers this month.  The best bite seems to be between 9am to 11am. Spoons have been the ticket lately. Try using a big 4in gold spoon trolled 50ft to 80ft behind the boat. Trolling at (2.4mph) has been producing bigger fish, but not as many! I look for these fish to begin there rise in the water column over the next couple of weeks. We should start seeing some surfacing action from the bigger trout. Just remember its never too cold to fish for trout. THEY LIKE THE COOL WATER!

Walleye: The Walleye bite has been consistent. Most of these fish have been caught in and or around brush,rock outcroppings or fallen trees around steep banks. This month is usually a good trolling month for Walleye. Try Trolling deep diving crank baits 80 to 100ft behind the boat for best results. Blue-Back Herring colors seem to always work the best (2.6mph). Don’t be surprised if you catch the state record! (11.3lbs). Please be sure and take a landing net while Walleye fishing. I have heard two stories this month “I tried to pick the fish up with my fingers and boy did that hurt!”. “We had the state record Walleye beside the boat and no net, so we tried to lift the lifeless fish up and he all of a sudden came to life”.

Good Luck!!