All SizeS of GizzArd ShAd AvAilAble for SprinG

once I catch a fish, I can put it back. Once you pull the trigger the work begins. Whether it’s a deer, a rabbit, or a squirrel, you have work to do. Catch and release fishing changed our thought processes and changed the way we interact with the natural world. We owe a debt of gratitude to Ray Scott and those guys for paving the way.

Technology in our sport is driven by tournament angling. For instance, the Crappie guys were the first to really show off the new technology of livescope. Forward Facing sonar is now a staple. In fact, if you are not using it in a crappie tournament, you won’t even sniff the money and I almost don’t care how good an angler you are! It’s shown us fish behavior, fish movements, and reactions like we have never even imagined. Bass anglers are now embracing it in a huge way. Jerkbaits, swimbait heads, and even line is being made to make use of this technology. While recently fishing together Capt. Mack Farr and I discussed the applications for this with striper fishing. This will change the game for us striper guides and anglers too. We just haven’t embraced it fully yet and no one has broken the code and made it public! But it will guys… Trust me on that one. It’ll answer questions we never knew existed.

So, in short, as much as I have to say about tournaments doing something wrong, it is a key factor in our sport. Without the competition, without the drive of the tournament pros, without the money spent, we wouldn’t have a lot of what we have now. Let’s just focus on the positive side of this and continue to change our world for the better.

By Capt. Cefus McRae Nuts & Bolts

Hartwell, GA

May is a magic month for us anglers in the southeast. Most of the spawning cycles are over and fish are ready to fill their bellies again. This is happening up and down both the Atlantic and Gulf coasts as Spanish and King mackerel, and cobia, migrate northward. It’s happening on our inland impoundments and rivers with bass, stripers and hybrids. And on local ponds, the shellcrackers and bluegills are close to the bank and on bed during the full moon. It’s a truly magic time of year.

For me, May means topwater. And there’s nothing quite as exciting as seeing the underwater explosion as a fish crashes on a topwater lure…whether it’s a 50-pound cobia or a half-pound bluegill.

For the topwater bite to get underway, we’ve got to have a few environmental changes take place. I think the key is the water temperature. When surface temps touch the 70-degree mark, that’s my cue to break out the top gear. In the spring, I have two go-to topwater plugs…the MirrOlure Top Dog and the Cordell Redfin. The Top Dog is a walk-the-dog plug. Cast as far as you can, then let it sit for at least a “three-count”, then start the rhythmic, twitch-wind-twitch retrieve that makes the plug ‘walk’ back and forth on the way in. If a fish hits the plug, but doesn’t connect, continue working the plug. Nine times out of ten the fish will still be following the plug and will attack again. I’ve actually removed the treble hooks from my Top Dogs and replaced them with 2/0 circle hooks. The front hook faces forward, and the rear hook faces up. I haven’t seen a noticeable decline in hook ups, and I no longer have to deal with trebles hanging up in the net or finding one of my fingers.

The Redfin is simply a cast and retrieve lure, and it is deadly on stripers and spotted bass. Because of its large profile, it is especially effective on shallow humps next to deep water. Gamefish can be staged just off the hump waiting to ambush bait and this beefy plug has a large silhouette that will draw strikes from yards away. Make your cast beyond the shallow feature… it could be a shoal marker, a shallow bar, or even structure that rises from the bottom…and then retrieve just fast enough for the plug to ‘waggle’ on the way in. You don’t really have to impart any action with your rod. The small lip on the front gives it lots of movement and leaves a distinct wake behind the bait.

I mentioned water temperature as an indicator for topwater action. I believe there are a couple other contributors as well… cloudy or overcast days will keep the fish in the upper water column. And a slight chop on the water will help disguise the fact you’re throwing something that’s man-made. When the bite materializes, it can last a couple days, or it can last all month. A few days of sunshine and hot weather can turn the bite off. Similarly, a cold snap can shut things down as well. But when the magic happens, it can be some of the best and most exciting fishing of the year. Tight lines and calm seas.

A new Lake Lanier Record was achieved the weekend (April 9th) for a Blue Catfish.

Matthew Haynes (Guide/owner of Lake Lanier striper snipers) officially weighed-in his Blue Catfish at Sherry’s Bait & BBQ at 15 lbs., 8.8 ounces; 32.5 inches. The fish was safely released back into Lake Lanier after being recorded for the record books!!! Congratulations Matthew!!!!

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Call Captain Josh Thornton to book a trip 770-530-6493. The water temperature is in the low 60s. Crappie are still shallow. Look to side coves off major creek channels they have started moving back to docks and are suspended 5-10 feet deep. Trolling is good right now, look in large shallow bays or coves near a main channel, check blow downs in shallow water. The majority of this week’s catch came from jigs black with a chartreuse tail. Minnows are getting a few also. Crappie love the shade so cast into the shadows or shaded areas of dock. When dock shooting the biggest fish are usually the first to bite. I use ATX lure companies jigs on a lip thrashin lure jig head. I use 5-pound test high visibility yellow k9 braid for my line unless I am using a bobber then it’s the k9 6-pound high vis line and a Acc crappie stix. I use Garmin Live Scope and a Power Pole.

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