The Angler Magazine | August 2023 | Greater Atlanta Edition

Themarket’s swimming with overpriced dive watches.

We’re here to tell you those guys are all wet. At Stauer our philosophy is everyone deserves the best without having to dig deep into their pockets. We’ve been in the watch industry for decades and know more than a thing or two about getting the ultimate bang for our buck— which means we can pass the fruits of our know-how onto our clients.

Case in point: The Explorer Dive Watch. This tough-as-nails sophisticate would cost you in the thousands if you got it from a high-end retailer that’s really in the business of selling a big name more than a quality watch. We keep the big names out of the equation so we can price this top-notch timepiece for just $99 ––a price that let’s you dive in and have enough left over for an excursion or two...or three.

You’re getting a lot for your money with this watch. The Explorer is the perfect companion in any locale–– whether you’re exploring coral reefs or investigating the rum options at a beachside bar. With a case, band and crown of stainless steel, this watch is built to last, and its water resistance rating of 20 ATM means it can handle most of your aquatic adventures to a depth of 678 feet. The striking metallic blue face reflects the

deep waters it was designed to explore and it’s sporty screw-down crown can take the pressure in stride.

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. If you are not completely convinced you got excellence for less, simply return the Explorer Dive Watch within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we never leave our customers high and dry. Limited Edition. Sure you could give your hard-earned money to those other guys, but why would you? We’ve got the thinking man’s timepiece right here. This watch takes six months to engineer and it’s already making waves, so we can’t guarantee it will be around for long. Call today, and experience how good it feels to get true luxury for less.

Offer

“...dive watches feel authentic—they project an air of necessity which other categories of timepieces simply fail to match”

disappoint.”

By Capt. Quinlyn Haddon

Athe cooler waters of great depths, deep-water grouper are some of the better tasting sh in the ocean. of deep-water grouper we target o coast of the Florida Keys are snowy grouper and yellowedge grouper. ey are found in depths of 400 to 1,000 feet.

Yellowedge are open year-round, and they can be a little di cult to nd. ey congregate in localized areas in depths between 600 and 800 feet. You might nd snowies and tile sh where you nd yellowedges, but this is not true the other way around. When you nd an area with yellowedge grouper, mark it, save it, and do not over sh it. Keep your harvest light, and this honey-hole will produce for you again in the future.

When making a deep-dropping rig, use larger hooks on the top and bottom of a ve-hook rig. Mustad 11/0 circle hooks provide excellent hookup ratios for this kind of shing. A x larger baits on these hooks, with the bottom intended for yellowedge, and the top intended for snowy grouper. Pepper in smaller ones in the middle for tile sh.

e nice part about dropping ve hooks is you can play with a variety and see what works. e best

to do what it is made to do.

Bait selection can vary greatly, so use anything and everything. I use chunks of fresh sh, with skin that will stay on the hook longer, for my top and bottom hooks, and squid in the middle. At least one hook should have some greasy, oily, stinky squid for deep dropping.

When it comes to catching deep-water species such as grouper, tile sh, barrel sh and rosies, you don’t need to break the bank to get a reliable electric set-up. e lower priced reels can handle these and can be paired with a rod and stacked with line on a budget of $1,000 to $2,000. I don’t recommend buying these used, as everything electronic on the water has a shelf life, and you never know how they were cared for previously.

With mahi-mahi still prevalent in o shore waters, and with snowy grouper still in season, the timing is perfect to hunt yellowedge grouper. If you aren’t interested in the trial and error of searching the depths of the vast ocean by yourself, Sweet

Tesoro spinning reels feature a carbonite high-output DFD drag system with Cal’s drag grease that puts out over 55-pounds of fsh stopping power. Built with strength and protection in mind, Tesoro features an IPX-7 full-body waterproof design and proprietary ALUMILITE body, side plate and rotor. With an interchangeable screw-in handle system and fve models from 8000 to 20000 size, Tesoro spinning reels are sure to complement any big game saltwater arsenal.

okumafshingusa.com TA-140000HA

E’nuf Charters’ two-boat eet is available to help put you on the grouper.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SWEET E’ NUF CHARTERS.

BILL DANCE SIGNATURE LAKES to Solidify Tennessee as the Heart of Fishing in the Southeast

Bill Dance Signature Lakes will connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s most excellent natural resources – its lakes. is program is intended to make Tennessee a best-in-class destination for anglers worldwide.

With the new initiative’s goal to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy, Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear shing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will bene t from increased stocking, habitat and sheries management and improved access for shing and boating. e collaborative e ort between Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of shing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state.

“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will bene t so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will have a ripple e ect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend sherman but tournament anglers a wonderful shery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”

Bill Dance Signature Lakes touches 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and is an essential step in helping those communities create new revenue streams through increased visitation. Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually and supports 7,480 jobs across the state.

Bill Dance Signature Lakes includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality shing for a variety of sh. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-inclass ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers. Each of the 18 lakes will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, shing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many which are located within Tennessee State Parks, will be managed intensively by TWRA for Bill Dance approved family shing with regular stocking to ensure the best chance for success.

Projects are slated to begin in 2022 and near completion by the fall of 2024. For more information, see www.tnvacation.com.

Hanapa‘a - Mahi

Hanapa‘a

Hanapa‘a - Ahi

Hanapa‘a - Marlin

CHATTOOGA RIVER

Provided By: Karl Ekberg Chattooga River Fly Shop www.chattoogariverflyshop.com

864-638-2806

Summer heat, afternoon thunderstorms, and plenty of liquid to keep hydrated on the river seems to be the normal for the mountains of South Carolina this summer. The summer temperatures have hit the mid to high eighties here, with the evening temperatures not dipping below sixty. These temperatures make the water at a dangerous level for the trout, at which point it is time to fish the lower parts of the river for the bass. Many great days of bass fishing are already in the book for this summer, and the way the weather pattern outlook is, the pattern should continue.

How to know when it is too warm to fish for trout? Water temperatures, less than 64 degrees, the trout are just fine and can recover quickly. To practice catch and release with wet

hands, limited handling, minimal to no time out of the water, and rubber nets will aid in the fish having another day to fight again. Temperatures of water between 64-67 degrees, fish with caution. Keep the fish wet at all times, fish with heavier tippet (3x or 4x) to minimize fight time. Fish in the early mornings or late evenings, and avoid the hottest part of the day. For water temperatures above 67 degrees, do not fish for trout! Trout cannot recover in warmer water temperatures. Let’s go fish for warmer water species of fish. If we all practice this, our trout fisheries will have a healthier population when the water temperatures cool off in the Fall months.

If the trout are a little tough to catch, you can have a great day on the river catching bass and panfish. Lower sections of the river are fishing good now. Top water and streamers seem to be the big hit, for a successful day. Wet wading is an enjoyable day to beat the

heat of summer. A small pack, plenty of fluids (to keep hydrated), a small fly box, a good pair of polarized sun glasses, exploring waters you might not normally fish, what a way to spend a summer day, and did we mention, catching fish on a fly rod. As river levels have been a little bit higher than normal, do not be surprised by catching a few trout in these lower sections of the river.

While out on your day of fishing, expect afternoon thunderstorms, and the river level to raise slightly. Although it may not be raining where you are fishing, the river level may start to rise as rain may come over the river upstream, so keep an eye on the water level around you.

Let’s all pray for a little cooler weather and some rains to keep the rivers cooler and the water levels up. We look forward to a great Fall season, as the temperatures start to fall

off from the summer heat. We also look forward to seeing everyone out on the rivers around us here at Chattooga River Fly Shop.

Hoyt Jameson with a Bartram’s bass on the Chattooga.

Contributed By: Rene J. Hesse Certified Casting InstructorFederation of Fly Fishers & Atlanta Fly Fishing and Camping Meetup Organizer

Casting or Fishing?

At a recent Veterans Fly Fishing outing, the president Dr. Maulden made a good point about ‘fishing’ and ‘casting’ with a fly rod, and how they are the same but different. He said, ‘You should do the next article on it.’ Guess what the differences are that we will look at? If you said the loops, you are way on top of the casting game. Dr. John pointed out how fly fisherman, ‘Make it work’. Given a situation they adapt as best they can. They are ‘fishing’ not building a rocket. So don’t take this article as a ‘you have to do this or that’. Try to see it as a step to the next level of fly fishing through casting.

There is a difference in the way you shape the loops for different casts and what fly you are casting.

A heavy fly is cast differently than a bulky fly. Doing a cast in to the wind, a cast with the wind, a cast to combat current, or maybe a cast for distance, all require a different ‘fly cast’.

Putting all the aspects into a 500-word article is impossible. So, forgive me if I omit one of your favorite points, and feel free to reach out and converse about it. Fly ‘casting’ is done by bending the rod against the weight of the line and sending the line off in the shape of a loop. The fly is just along for the ride. You may have heard that before. Fly ‘fishing’ is often done with no line out of the rod tip (nymphing). Fly ‘fishing’ consists of all fishing situations that call for different fly ‘casts’.

So how do we know what to do and when? Ask, read, take a lesson, these are all a great start, but you must get out and practice. The more I coach, the more I find folks that want to know why. Why is my line doing this or that. Breaking down the loop into 3 parts; fly leg, face and rod leg allows us to then address each part of the loop and how they are shaping it. Once they can see the front AND back cast, and recognize the loop shape, we can then talk about what their hand is doing to the rod to shape the loop.

Fishing casts can be a narrow loop to cut the wind, go under a tree, or really maximize distance.

They can also be oval shaped loops that will not tangle a multi fly rig. And don’t forget there is a lift and lob, water load cast, often with no line, only leader out of the rod tip, generally used for nymphing. There are a lot of loop shapes. Being able to make it the shape you want when you need it takes educated practice. The big take away from this article should be to see your loops front and back, and then learn what shaped it that way. Learn to control the loop and use it as a fishing tool. This will be your best friend when out fishing. At that point you may want to bring your second-best friend with you out on the water to hear them say, ‘Wow, nice cast!’

HIGH COUNTRY SUMMER

Contributed by David Hulsey

International Federation of Fly FishersMaster Certified Casting Instructor

http://www.hulseyflyfishing.com

770-639-4001

The Northern part of Georgia, Western North Carolina and Tennessee are blessed with lofty peaks that help to keep the summer sun at bay. High mountains that are heavily wooded pump out chilly water that travels down the slopes feeding hundreds upon hundreds of miles of trout streams. Even in the heat of a Southern summer the fly angler that is willing to burn a little shoe leather can find fishable populations of wild trout that reside in these fish havens above the clouds. Checking water temperatures with a thermometer is imperative and only fishable temps are below 65 degrees. Any warmer readings and you’re advised to go catch bass or carp. The upmost care should be taken if you fish here not only for the fish’s sake but also for the surrounding vegetation and creatures that live here. Some plants and animals such as certain salamanders reside here and nowhere else on earth, just like the jewel of these remote waters the Southern Appalachian Brook Trout. Resist the urge to move rocks around, build cairns, chop down plants or litter. These are sacred places that people aren’t supposed to live in, but just visit occasionally.

Fly fishing gear should be minimalistic and lightweight. Fly rods under seven feet and in a two or three weight configuration are about right. My favorite rod is a six and a half foot two weight that can throw laser beams in the tightest of cover. Fiberglass and Tenkara rods are like old friends up here and can make a six-inch trout feel like a tiger! Fly

lines should load quickly at close range too as most casts are well under 15 feet. The creek taper fly lines are designed for this and make quick work of little roll and bow and arrow casts. Leaders should be as short as possible around the length of your fly rod or less. I build all my own leaders custom to the waters I fish and sometimes they are as short as five feet long for the tiny high elevation brooks. A spool of 5x tippet in your back pocket will repair any snafus you might have. Fly selection can be kept in a single shirt pocket sized fly box and not complicated at all. Dry flies are normally all you need to coax up a strike or two in every hole and piece of pocket water in the creek. High floating dries such as Yellow Stimulators, Yellow Humpies, any Wulff type fly you like and a Hi Vis Elk Hair Caddis should suffice. Big barbless size twelve and fourteen high floaters are usually on the menu and will keep you busy unhooking fish. Care should be taken where you place your feet and hands as timber rattlers, copper heads and the always present yellow jackets nest love the stream areas during summer. Little chipmunks, mice and the like move closer to the water sources as some areas get dry during summer providing prey for old no-shoulders. Fishing here can definitely be worth the effort, sweat and the homework to find these areas. I hope to see you there!

SLINGING FOR SUMMER SALMONIDS

By Jeff Durniak Unicoi Outfitters

Southeastern summers are tough on trout and trout anglers as the heat restricts us to icy tailwaters below large reservoirs or to our highest headwaters. Since Unicoi Outfitters is located in the north Georgia mountains, we’ll help you with that high elevation option. Let’s sling into summer with the “what, where, and how” of wild trout fishing up here.

Here’s the “what.” A small stream rod makes casting in rhododendron tunnels easier, so we like a soft or moderate action, 7-7.5 foot, 3 weight outfit with a 7.5 foot, 4x leader knotted to the line. That 4X tip retrieves a few more flies from rhododendron leaves than the thinner stuff.

We lightly load a small sling pack with the essentials. First is a small box of buoyant, visible dries like size 14-16 tan elk hair caddis, chubby Chernobyls, parachute ants, and small black beetles. If the water is up from a rain, we’ll sneak in a pheasant tail nymph, squirmy worm, or green weenie for a dropper fly. We’ll also toss in an extra 7.5 foot, 4X leader and spools of 4, 5, and even 6X tippet if the water is thin. Some floatant, dessicant, nippers, a water bottle, snack bars, butane lighter (for emergency fire), stream thermometer, headlamp, and a poncho round out our sling pack contents.

Where? Go high! The highest elevations have the coldest water, so we’ll head uphill in the national forest (buy Nat Geo maps #777 & 778) to find some 66-degree or cooler water. Cold water is most common on

our north-slope streams that get less sunlight and in the higher mountains of North Carolina. The Smokies are a prime summer destination for many north Georgians.

The “how” is easy, as it’s all about stealth and a good drift. We employ the Rabunite (rabuntu.org) method of a) dressing like a rhododendron bush (dark olive), b) walking the bank or wading slowly upstream as we stalk like a heron, c) casting short with very few false casts or none at all via a roll cast or water load, and then d) drifting our bug naturally, like a leaf or bubble. Technique trumps fly pattern. If you haven’t spooked them with your approach, then headwater residents usually eat any fly pattern they can get in their mouths. Summer groceries are sparse on mountaintops and headwater residents aren’t picky.

Sling into summer with these timetested tips and see if you’re rewarded with colorful headwater specks and bows. Their beauty and color compensate wonderfully for their slight size. And if you’re into dry fly rises, this is the perfect gig for you, as we typically get a couple dozen refusals and eats in a half-day of prospecting for these high-elevation gems. Add in the great mountain scenery and wildlife, including an occasional bear sighting, and you have one fine August respite. A cool morning of shady topwater action will help get you through the heat, so sling soon for summertime salmonids. Stop in either UO shop and we’ll set you up for success.

TRAVELING TO FIND COOLER TEMPS

Contributed By: Tim Dangar

Recently, my wife Teresa and I headed to the mountains of North Carolina to find some cool temps and cold trout water. The tribal water of the Oconaluftee River was our target destination. On arriving, we found both cool temps and cold water which made for a fun two days of fishing. We used Rooster Tails and Mepps spinners of different colors till we found what they were hitting the best. Early mornings, we found the fish in swift water feeding and later in the day they seem to move into deeper pools. When you hook up to a 15-inch Rainbow in swift water, it feels like a giant. We found these fish to be very aggressive and fighters to the very end even after you get them on the bank of the river. We caught over 30 fish on our two-day trip and brought home 21 of the best ones for the freezer. You can purchase a two-day permit for $17 bucks, and it is money well spent. We are already planning a return visit soon. Until next time, stay calm and fish on!

BUGS AND CRITTERS TELL A STORY.

Contributed By: Chris Scalley River Through Atlanta Guide Service

In 1998, we partnered with the fishing community to help protect the Chattahoochee from, Buford Dam, downstream stream 44 River miles to Powers Island at Cochran Shoals. Our partners were Ga DNR Fisheries, Trout Unlimited, The ORVIS Co., The Nature Conservancy, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Ga Women Fly Fishing Club, Atlanta Fly Fishing Club, CRNRA to name a few. The game plan was to sample macro invertebrates at six sites evenly distributed throughout this stretch of River where we collected aquatic critters every quarter, for 12years through 2011. This was a massive data set of over a decade of critter that consisted of a variety of creatures like Crayfish, crane flies, hellgrammites, mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, scuds, sow bugs, aquatic

worms, black flies, alder flies, salamanders to name a few. Each of these critters has a tolerance level for different types of pollution and environmental factors. There have been numerous studies published by the science community, using this data set, to help understand this unique aquatic ecosystem known as the Chattahoochee Tailwater which is Atlanta’s primary drinking water source. After much thought, I have decided to resume this research project for the next ten years beginning this August 2023! We will be looking for volunteers to help collect and sort bugs. Stay tuned on dates and locations by visiting www.riverthroughatlanta.com or contact Chris at chrisscalley@bellsouth.net or call 770-650-8630

LAKE ALLATOONA

By: Joseph Martinelli 404-919-4918

Lake Allatoona continues to bring the heat. As for us, we find this to be one of the finest fisheries in the North Georgia area for most all species. Even our water quality seems to be improving with respect to dissolved oxygen content, not to mention the more recent bellyfattening nutritious forage base of herring in the mix.

The bite is hot, and the summer temps tend to make the early mornings the best and most comfortable bite. With light to moderate rain through July, we are maintaining a nice full pool that is a haven for all species.

The line sides are no doubt one of the finest resources here on Allatoona. Particularly the hybrid striped bass. These, along with the striped bass, are likely the hardest fighting fish on this side of the salt water, and they are in abundance if you know what you’re looking for.

As the water temperature continue to warm, these fish tend to relate to the edges of the channel, along with breaks on points and humps. While they have a proliferent food source of freshwater herring and threadfin shad to feast on, they are staying plump and pulling harder than ever. Currently our fishing has been concentrated in the mid-lake area between Galts Ferry to Illinois

Creek and to the dam, however, there have been phenomenal mornings and catches reported by fellow fisherman as far south as Tanyard and Clark Creeks and as far north as Little River. Truly, as nomadic as these fish are, there are thousands roaming the reservoir hunting for food and wanting to provide you with a little entertainment.

One of the most effective techniques this time of year is a combination spread of downlines and free lines when fishing live bait. Matching the size of your bait to your hook will greatly increase the lifespan of your bait after being placed down, especially below 20 ft. Herring, threadfin shad, spot tail minnows and shiners all produce good bites. Hook sizes between size 2 and as large as 1/0 are more than likely to match any bait size that you may catch or purchase of these species. As the bite has been no less than phenomenal most mornings, fluorocarbon leaders between 8 to 12 lb. test is producing just fine. Your weight can range anywhere from 3/8 to 1.5 oz. If fishing on spot

lock and enjoying a nice morning with little to mild winds, the lighter sinker can be ideal, though 1-1.5 oz is good all-around weight, especially when moving around at .3 to .5 miles an hour.

While we are typically emphatic on a light line presentation for many reasons, the fish have not seemed to shy away from the heavier fluorocarbons, and this allows you to get a little more drag and a little more muscle on the fish. This can help you to keep from prolonging a fight, which can increase the fish’s chance of survival when released in a timely fashion.

Free/flat lines in the spread have been clutch! While we have caught several tigers on the downlines, most of our better fish in the 8 to 12 lb. class have hit a flat line. Experiment from no weights to adding a size 7, 3/0 and even up to a size 5 split shot depending on bait size and where in the column those upper residents are being marked. In our experience, most of these fish will come up 20 ft plus for bait, but not many will dive down even one foot for one.

There are several artificial baits that have been key for us including a 5-in flutter spoon along with a further casting Flexi-spoon, an a-rig such as the Captain Mack Mini Mack, along with a few key top water lures such as the OG 20 g, KVD hard knocks and a few other beautiful walking baits. When the fish have been schooling, we are glad that we have changed many of our treble hooks on these top waters to a single hook. These prickly line sides are much easier to handle and dehook with a single barb stuck in them, not to mention our hookup to landing ratio seems to be better overall.

As for the spotted bass, they are pretty much smashing this same artificial arsenal. Surely there are times when a creature bait, shaky head or drop shotting a finesse worm produces well, but we are hammering the spotted bass when in their turf with these same baits. Our crappie have pretty much moved into deeper water and your target range for these critters is going to be in the 15 to 20 ft range reservoir wide. Slow-fall techniques have been key when we are targeting them. My go-to during this summer heat is 1/80-1/32 oz. weighted jigs. It can seem like forever waiting to get to the target depths but especially after the sun is up, we have found that the slowest fall catches the most.

Now, let’s go fishing! We do hope that some information gleaned here will help you get on to the bite. If you are considering a full-service fishing adventure with as much instruction as we can provide during our time together, we would sure love to have you aboard our boats. Please do not hesitate to call or message us at 404-919-4918 or email us heronoutdooradventures@gmail.com, any time. From first-time to advanced anglers, we truly feel we have something to offer everybody. Most of all, we love making new friends. God bless you and tight lines, friends!

DO YOU HAVE INTEREST IN MAKING YOUR OWN FISHING TACKLE?

Dr. Andrew Cox

For many years, I have spent part of the Winter and early Spring months walking the banks of reservoirs in Alabama and Georgia. During these months, water levels in many lakes are low exposing miles of shoreline that are typically covered with water. My quarry are old fishing lures that have become entangled in shoreline cover or have drifted from deeper water onto the shoreline. The search for these lures is a good pastime during the cooler months when fishing is slower and provides an excuse to get out and run your boat and motor. Georgia lakes such as West Point, Walter F. George and at times Jackson, and Harding, and Alabama’s Lake Martin usually provide an assortment of such lures. These lures can be made like new with a good cleaning with toothpaste and a toothbrush along with new hooks and sometimes new eyelets for attaching line or swivels. Some lures may require touch up painting. Many are classic lures such as the original Bagley series of crank baits, Rebel Wee R’s, Hellbenders, Arbogast Mudbug, Heddon Sonar, Cordell’s Big O, Bomber’s Waterdog, Norman’s Little Scooper, Strike King Scout, or Mann’s Razorback to mention a few.

After some years in repairing and

refinishing these old worn out lures, I moved to tying my own flies and jigs. These include micro sized flies and jigs appropriate for the fly rod to larger jigs that can be cast with spinning and bait casting equipment. I tie traditional flies and jigs in standard colors as well as unique colors that are good for the waters that I frequently fish.

Some anglers to include myself may have an interest in expanding to the manufacture of lures from scratch. Perusing the Internet and various tackle catalogs, potential lure crafters can purchase equipment and materials needed for constructing most lure types. This equipment includes molds for pouring plastics for worms, lizards, swimbaits, and tubes; molds for pouring lead or similar metals for jigs; wire bending equipment and materials for making spinnerbaits and buzzbaits as well as materials for making various running type lures. These sources include gadgets to make lure construction easier such as tools for inserting eyelets and hooks into lures. With an initial investment in such equipment and tools, the handy angler can construct multiple lures and baits to include original designs and unique color combinations.

A longtime angling friend of mine

developed an interest in constructing his own lures or modifying existing lures to make them perform better. He later began designing his own line of lures and baits. He developed this adjunct to fishing into his own lure manufacturing business. Such could be your story.

Lure making can be a good pastime for anglers. Given the hot and humid weather conditions that we are experiencing this summer, lure making can be something that you can do during these hot months. You are involved in an angling activity even when the weather may prevent pursuit of your favorite hobby. Lures that you constructed and assembled make good gifts for your angling friends, acquaintances, associates, and family members. You may also be able to sell some of your creations to supplement your fishing budget. It is very satisfying to catch fish on flies and lures that you have made with your own hands. Check out some of the angling websites and catalogs that sell such lure making products. Companies such as

Barlow’s, Netcraft, and Mudhole are good places to start if you have an interest in such a pursuit.

Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and travel, human interest, and general fishing technique oriented topics. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years. He has also fished the waters of many states within the United States, Canada, Chile, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and several Caribbean islands. He enjoys fresh and saltwater fishing for bass, bream, crappie, trout, redfish, and speckled trout using fly, baitcasting, and spinning equipment. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.

LANIER STRIPERS

Forecast by:

Capt. Clay Cunningham

www.catchingnotfishing.com

770-630-2673

After a hot July, hopefully August will be a little cooler. The water temperature is in the mid-eighties and the water is clear. The size of fish showing up is even better than last year.

The best fishing is on the south end of the lake due to the deeper colder water which means higher oxygen levels for the stripers. Look in the creek channels near patches of timber. The thicker the timber, the better the odds the stripers will be there. The primary pattern is the downline. The primary setup for the downline is a Shakespeare Striper Rod paired with a Penn Fathom II 15 Linecounter and the reel spooled with 15 pound Trilene Big Game line, the Captain Mack 2 oz swivel sinker, a 6 foot section of Trilene 100 percent Flourocarbon and a 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook. Add a live herring to the hook and you are good to go. Take plenty of herring as they will not live long on the hook. Great electronics like the Humminbird Solix are the keys for success right

now. Also keep a spinning rod like a Penn 7’6” medium light battalion rod paired with a Penn Fierce Live Liner reel with 12-pound Trilene Big Game with the same Gamakatsu 1/0 Octopus hook ready at all times to pitch it away from the boat and let it sink. On dead calm or cloudy days, this pitching technique will out catch the standard downline.

The trolling bite is also picking up. Talk to your local tackle store like Hammonds or Oakwood Bait and Tackle for the specific rod and reel needed. Look for a Penn Fathom reel paired with a Shakespeare Tiger rod. Once you are setup, tie up one rod with a Ben Parker spoon, one with a Georgia Blade Spoon, and one with a 1-to-2-ounce white Berkley Fusion buck tail and troll at 2.8 mph. Tip the Berkley Fusion bucktail with a 6-inch Capt. Mack chartreuse trailer. Let the first couple bites tell you which one is hot. It can vary from day to day. Also keep white Capt. Mack trailers, pink trailers, and all sizes bucktail size on hand.

Be sure to release fish as fast as possible. Every second out of the water in the hot summer months increases mortality. If you are taking pictures, have everything ready for a quick release. See you on the water.

LAKE MARTIN

Provided By: Capt David B Hare

Alex City Guide Service | 256-401-3089

2036 Cherokee Rd., Suite 205 | Alexander City, Al. 35010 davidbhare@yahoo.com | www.alexcityguideservice.com

Fbook/alexcityguideservice/LakeMartin

July was fairly good striper fishing, not the best, by no means, but not a bust. We actually landed a 30 pounder on (7/7/23) which is huge anytime, but for July it’s a giant.

Moving on to August which most years can be our hardest month to land stripers just due to extreme heat and very hot water temperatures. Our typical charter trips this month start before daylight and we will target a couple of deep-water dock lights with live bait and a little bit of casting with crank baits. As the sun comes up, we start trolling with our downriggers (Scotty Electric) pulling an assortment of different lures from small swim baits and buck tail jigs to huge spoons (8”-9”) and will

occasionally pull umbrella rigs. If by chance, we troll through a school of stripers and they do not strike our trolling rigs then we simply reel up and circle around and drop live bait on them. If they don’t react to the live bait very quickly, then we go right back to trolling. You must always remember you’ve got to cover a lot of surface area to be successful. August you should concentrate in the deeper areas of the lake . Always keep you plenty of bottled water available on your boat and keep yourself hydrated.

Until next month be safe and catch one for me.

Full Pool Surface Temp (90 +) (7/11/23) Clarity / Clear

BLUE RIDGE

Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973

lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

It’s been a great summer so far on Blue Ridge Lake. Cool mornings and sunny afternoons on this lake are hard to beat. The fishing has been good and stable till this past week. The temps creeping up have started to push the fish offshore to deeper cooler water. The walleye will move out to offshore structure, rocky edges, and deeper grass beds. Deep diving crankbaits like a dt20, or Salmo Freediver, can really shine at these depths. These areas are typically in the 50ft depth range, just out from the late spring holding areas. So, if you’ve been on fish and they are not there anymore just look a little deeper in the same area. This is a great time to spoon walleyes. We’ve been using the Lake Fork flutterspoons and the

MOJO spoons with great success. As always, the walleye feed mainly in low light conditions, especially in this clear lake.

The bass have been stacked up on just about every point. The super clear water has made getting them to commit a bit tricky at times. Early

in the morning you can get them to crash a top water or shallow jerk bait like a Zara spook or Husky jerk in bright color options. After the sun’s up, they tend to slide out to 20-25 ft waiting to ambush herring. Match the hatch with shad raps, sebiles, or any shad profile crank

bait. Look for the recreational traffic to slow a bit by mid-month as school and sports are starting back up. Until then, be prepared to start early and leave early.

Temperature: 83 degrees

Level: Full Clarity: 12ft

REEL TIME REEL FUN to land

Welcome Gai s e’s Lake Lanier!

Lake Lanier is 38,000 acres of prime fishing and home to some of the best spotted bass and striped bass in the world. There are dozens of hotels within minutes of the lake, professional fishing guides to increase your odds of catching the “big ones” and plenty of action in Gainesville, Georgia to keep the family entertained! Check us out at ExploreGainesville.org to find out more.

FISHING THE DOG DAYS ON LANIER

Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com

While fishing generally gets tougher in August on Lake Lanier, there are ways to ensure continued success. Let’s review the locations, techniques, and lures to utilize to keep you catching fish during the heat of the summer.

Location

Understand that the primary concerns of both game fish and bait fish are oxygen and food source, in that order. The fishing traditionally changes in August because the bait fish, particularly the blue back herring, change in response to the conditions. They often go deeper in search of better oxygen content in the water; the depth at which this key oxygen content is maintained is called a thermocline. In August, I normally like to target sharp breaks

and deeper water on main lake features such as ledges or sharper breaks on the ends of points and sides of humps and islands. Often in August we would work depths of 25-45 feet of water, anticipating the thermocline to establish in the 25–30-foot range, historically speaking. However, even though there are fish in the deeper zones, there are also still fish located shallow, all around the lake. You can find these shallow fish not only on the main lake, but also in the back of pockets and creeks as well. These shallower locations are great areas to target during the early morning timeframe. Later in the day, the “normal” areas with brush are still holding fish, and there are fish starting to move deeper and relate to the timber.

When fishing deeper, target timber edges in 35-45 feet of water near the same key features upon which you find the brush. In general, if one type of area is not producing, don’t hesitate to try another location or another depth. Stay flexible and versatile and move around until you find active fish. Running and gunning several different types of places can be the key to success during this time of year. Often many areas will not produce, but if you stay on the move and remain versatile in types of location and bait selection, you can and will find active fish.

Lures and Presentation

Now, let’s examine some techniques that can be used to catch fish in August:

1. Topwater and Swimbaits – The topwater bite over the brush can be good still in August, but again it can be nonexistent if the weather is extremely hot consistently. The fish will let you know if the topwater bite is working. Try using some smaller topwater baits, like the Super Spook Jr., which best mimics the smaller bait fish the spots are often chasing during the hot weather months. The swimbait adds another dimension to your game. Work swimbaits fast on the surface or let them sink and work them directly over the brush. Experiment with both the mechanical and soft models at different depths and retrieve speeds to determine which is working best on any given day. I like the Hard Swimmer from Lanier Baits in this category. A weighted Jerk Shad from Lanier Baits can be a good option to cast over the brush as well.

2. GA Blade Underspin – This is an excellent producer on Lanier, and August is no different. Fish the bait over and around brush and deeper cover. Vary your retrieve speed, method, depth, and trailer type until you hit on the right combination for that day. GA Blade Flutter Spoon – The flutter spoon can be a good choice to target bigger fish during the summer months. Swim the flutter spoons with a rip, pause, rip presentation or, fast reel the spoon off the bottom for 6-8 cranks, allow it to fall back to the bottom, then repeat back to the boat. The strikes will almost always come on the fall. Fish this bait with no less than 20 lbs Seaguar Flourocarbon line to help you retrieve the bait on hang ups that will occur.

4. Drop-Shot – This is a great tool when the fishing gets tough. This presentation can be made vertically into cover, or it can be cast toward the feature and slowly retrieved. I prefer the Lanier Baits Drop Shot worms in Passion, Obsession, and Candy. Light line is a must. I prefer a 12 ft leader of 6–8-pound test Seaguar Fluorocarbon Invisx coupled with a mainline of Seaguar Smackdown 15 or 20 lbs braid. Light line helps provide a more natural presentation. I also like to experiment with tag length. I will sometimes use up to a 5-foot tag end on my drop shot depending on the position of the fish and the feature I am targeting.

5. GA Jig – The jig is a bait that is apt to work through the entire summer, as well as into the fall and winter. August is no time to forget the jig. I prefer GA Jigs, often in a brown and orange combo or in a PB&J color pattern. Work jigs on points and humps, around brush, as well as steep rock. If the Jig is not working, don’t forget to try a GA Blade Shakey head tipped with a finesse or trick worm, or a Yamamoto Senko as a back-up.

Wouldn’t it be great to have the most current fishing information provided to you weekly in a detailed format including lures and locations? If you think so, check out Jimbo’s Weekly Video Fishing Reports, now with Daily Video Updates! Stay on top of what’s working best on Lanier each week, right here: https:// jimboonlanier.com/jimbos-weeklyvideo-fishing-reports/ See you on the water!

Jimbo

Jimbo is a Full-Time, Year-Round Spotted Bass Guide on Lake Lanier. Contact him today to book a trip! Mobile - 770-542-7764

Summertime Blues

By Capt. Cefus McRae | Nuts & Bolts Fishing Series Hartwell, GA

Wow! Has anyone else noticed how hot it is? May and June were almost like an extended winter with highs in the 60’s and 70’s and lots of rain. Then July came and someone turned on the heater. The change in the weather was almost overnight. Water temps went from the 60’s to the 80’s in just a few days, and it took a while for the fish to settle into these summertime conditions.

Now it’s August. It’s still hot, but the fish have had time to acclimate and settle into their summer patterns. That means the bite is early…and late...with not a lot happening in between. So, what do you do to cure those mid-day Summertime Blues?

Well, you could just go home and sit in the air conditioning. Not necessarily a bad idea. Or you could modify your approach and continue to catch fish throughout the day.

Here’s a few tactics I’ve found to improve my odds of hooking up when the sun is high in the sky.

FISH THE SHADE – As the sun gets higher, most gamefish will look for a cooler spot to spend the day. Shady banks, brush piles, overhangs, and

ledges provide relief from the bright sun, and fish can feel even the slightest difference in water temperature. By the way, the opposite can work to your advantage in the wintertime.

FISH FASTER – This might seem contrary to conventional thinking, but warmer water tends to make fish lethargic, so they’re not eager to actually ‘feed’. But a faster moving lure or live bait… properly placed… can draw a reaction strike.

FISH DEEP – Deeper water is typically cooler, and cool water holds more oxygen than warm water. Most of our regional reservoirs have some degree of turbidity. The deeper you go; the less light can penetrate. And those low light conditions feel better to their eyes. Use a noisy lure with rattles or a lipped plug that will kick up pebbles and silt on the

bottom to get it noticed. For stripers and hybrids, locate the thermocline layer and put your baits just above it. Captain Mack’s Umbrella Rigs trolled around 2 to 3 mph are a great choice in the main channels of the river chains and lakes.

FISH MOVING WATER – Creek mouths, narrows in the river channel, and wind can each create water movement or current. This water can be a little cooler, and the slight turbulence can introduce oxygen into the water. If you’re fishing in one of our impoundments and can get the water release schedule for the dam, fishing nearby creek mouths is a great place to be when the release happens. That slight movement of water as the gates are opened can turn on the bite.

So don’t give up when the sun gets high. Just imagine what you would do if you were a fish and change your approach a little. Stay hydrated, slather on the sunscreen, and turn those Summertime Blues into Summertime Success.

Tight lines and calm seas.

THE SILVER KING

By James K. Pressley jameskpressley@gmail.com

Forecast By:Will Harkins- Getfishingguide.com | Williamharkins11@gmail.com

We’ve talked a lot the last couple of months about fishing the Lake Country, stripers, hybrids, bass, and even spotted bass up at Lanier. We live in a great spot if you love to fish. Think about it. Within 2 hours you have Hartwell, Russell, Clarks Hill, Marion, Lanier, Oconee, Sinclair, Jackson, West Point. Within 6 hours you can add Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach, St Simmons, Savannah, Seminole, Eufaula, Weiss, Guntersville, Moultrie, St. Marks, The Harris Chain, Lake George, the list is almost endless… My mind reels and my feet itch to be on the way!

One of the coolest things we have access to, for not a lot of money, is tarpon. Yes, you can spend a $1,000 per day with friends of mine and be pushed around on custom carbon skiffs and fish with Sage and Tibor or Seigler. Or you can pick your own boat and go explore the flats of the big bend of Florida. Tarpon show up there in the summer and are ready, willing, and able to play! A few Rapala’s, Yo-Zuri mag minnows or darters, a Zoom Super Fluke, or ZMan 5” or bigger swim bait rigged on a 7’-8’ heavy spinning rod with a 5000-6000 series reel and 20lb test line can put you in the money!

Tarpon are one of those fish that people dream of and spend untold amounts of money to chase yet can be caught so many ways and places it boggles the mind. Africa, South America, central America, and from Florida to Texas on the gulf coast and Florida to North Carolina on the Atlantic Coast you can chase tarpon at some point during the year. Some areas are better than others and times vary, but man, what a widespread opportunity and awesome fish!

I caught my first tarpon at around 19 years old with my dad off St.

Simmons Island while we were working a convention for our business back then. It was caught with a dead mullet placed on the bottom and by our estimations it was somewhere around 150lbs plus. We caught 4 that afternoon. That was the first of many. Since then, I’ve fished for them in the upper gulf in Apalachicola Bay, Little Tybee Island (estimated 180lb fish), the keys, Steinhatchee, and St. Marks Florida. I’ve fished the no motor zone in the Mosquito Lagoon area for baby tarpon and I’ve also caught tarpon off Hilton Head Island. I love these fish!

Here’s some basic suggestions for you if you should decide to go after these Silver Kings.

1. It’s going to be hot!!! Dress accordingly, wear sunscreen, get a big hat, and the best possible sunglasses you can afford!

2- Plan this way in advance. Talk to a lot of guides. Take your time. Tarpon guides are weird creatures… I mean crankier than me by the way. You need to find one you think you can click with on a boat for 3-5 days.

3- Never plan less than a 3-day trip here. Seriously. The weather in tarpon season (April in the keys to September on the GA coast and August in the upper gulf) is going to be tough. It’s going to be in the middle of hurricane season. Plan ahead and allot plenty of time.

4- Practice your casting! This is important! Be able to cast whether it’s a fly rod, a plug rod, or a spinning rod. Practice. Be proficient. PRACTICE! You will need to be precise and quick.

Finally keep this in mind. It’s dadgum big time fun!

Tight lines and following seas y’all!

Welcome to August, the month that signals the end of fun vacations and the start of school and work for many, sigh. This doesn’t mean the fishing has to stop though! Unlike many sports and hobbies, fishing is something you can do almost forever. It seemingly never gets old. As such, I like to throw a curveball, on Nottely, this time of year and change it up. After being beat up by all the boats on the water all summer, I make a run up the river and usually spend August in the cool waters of Nottely River. Like people, the bass prefer the air conditioner after sweating all summer. When looking for these bass, I make a run up Nottely River until the water temperature on the graph starts to drop. The cool waters of Nottely and Coosa rivers that feed the lake are home to tons of forage and life. Oftentimes, you can squeeze the boat or kayak up far enough in the creek where the water temperature drops 10, 15, sometimes 20 degrees. Here you’ll find plenty of hungry bass just waiting on an avid angler. The key is still setting your alarm clock early and getting on the water before the sun heats things up. Unlike the main lake that’s full of spotted bass, most of the bass up the river are the elusive largemouth. On average a river fish is much bigger than the main lake fish. With the vast expanse of willow trees, laydowns, and other cover in the rivers, I like to keep my approach simple. The first hour of the day I’ll either keep a buzzbait or a Spro Popping Frog in hand. More than likely this is how you’ll catch the biggest fish. The key importance is the color you use. Largemouth tend to feed on bluegill more so than shad. Therefore, I’ll use a bluegillcolored frog or a black/green buzzbait. I work the frog slowly around isolated cover. This could be a laydown, a little drain in the creek, or a willow tree. If the topwater bite is non-existent, then I’ll pick up a Texas rigged flipping bait, like a Zoom Z-Craw, and get to work. I’ll

make as many flips as possible to anything that’s in front of the boat. Rocks, trees, laydowns, bushes, anything that may hold a lunker bass. Keep in mind that these bass love the shade and A/C. Many times, they will be tucked back up in the thickest cover possible. While it’s not easy, the explosion of a giant Largemouth on a frog and the sound of the hookset make all the early mornings worthwhile.

So, get out there and Get Fishing!

#Godsgotthis

Lake Level: full pool.

Temp: 83-85 degrees

Clarity: Clear

CARTERS LAKE

Forecast By: Eric Crowley Lake & Stream Guide Service (706) 669-4973 | lakeandstreamguideservice@gmail.com

Most people don’t like August fishing, but I personally love it, especially on this deep lake. This is Big Walleye time for us. We are targeting the bigger fish in the depths that get very little pressure from most anglers. 60,70,80 feet or even deeper some days are pretty standard. I’m finding the fish on the sonar, holding in the trees, then targeting them to get my bait as close as I can. At these depths, it’s pretty dark even in the daytime, so lure colors tend to be in the “crazy” spectrum. We are seeing average fish in the 24” range with some 27 & 28” fish mixed in. If you want to fill some Ziplock bags, now is a good time to get on the boat and take advantage.

The stripers are in their summer pattern which equals a great early morning bite under the hydroglows.

You will have about an hour to make it happen before the fish “go on break” until about 9am when they feed again for about an hour. After that they head for the depths and hang in the cool water till it cools off a little at dusk. In the early mornings, live bait is the way to go. Big Alewives are always king on this lake. Downsize the leaders and let the baits swim freely. After the morning bite, the trolling bite has been pretty good. Umbrella rigs, lures, bucktails, whatever you like to pull, they will all work. Put the bait in the 35ft range and work the shallow tree lines. We have had some great days with multiple 15lb class striped fish on the troll.

Temp 84 degrees, Level full Clarity 6ft

By Capt Sam Williams | Hawks Fishing Guide Service hawk184@earthlink.net | 334-355-5057

The river remains at a higher level giving the bait fish and critters the opportunity to feed on the green forage that had germinated while the water was low. With the water temperature in the upper 80’s and 90’s, these areas must be fished really early or late. Find where the panfish are in the shade of the creek banks and you will find the bass feeding on them. The early fisherman could produce a strike on faster moving lures like frogs, blade baits or flukes. When you move deeper, you will need a finesse type lure to aggravate a hit. Use your electronics to locate these fish or your depth finder to monitor the depth ‘till you find the drop. The fish are full of shad and lethar-

Two Great Locations:

gic, they will not go far. Baits that can be held in front of the bass are what are going to get you a strike. Jigs tipped with a creature bait, Carolina rigs with a floating plastic, Strata spools vertically jigged in the school is also a good choice. If you find shad in these areas, tie a small floating crank bait on your Carolina rig and slowly work it in the school.

Crappie have also moved deeper and are doing well on jig’s tipped with a minnow. They are still holding in 14 to 20 feet on structure and man-made trash piles.

Panfish are on the creek banks in the shade. Wigglers and crickets are the answer, here.

Catfish activity is also slowing

down in this hot water. Fresh cut bait or stir fry strips on jugs or bottom rigs are catching some groceries for the table.

Be safe in this hot weather, keep your head covered and drink plenty of water. Take a family member out to the river, enjoy God’s beautiful outdoors, and make those memories with your loved ones.

Please visit www.alclassic. com and learn about the Lee King

Heron Outdoor Adventures

Memorial Alabama Classic Bass tournament. Come and support us.

Pray for all our folks in uniform, their families and each other. God says for us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

God Bless & Good Fishn’

Water Level: 189.39 msl

Water Temp: 91 degrees Water Clarity: slight stain to clear

Acworth Location 4725 Highway 92 Acworth, GA 30101 (770) 974-0629

Forecast By: Captain Paul Tyre | Tyrelakeseminolefishingadventures2gmail.com

The Bass fishing on Lake Seminole has been very good through the months of June and July! The August forecast looks promising. If planning a trip to Lake Seminole in August be sure to have some topwater lures like buzz baits, walking baits and hollow belly frogs in your tackle box!

Walking baits like a Heddon Zara Spook is an excellent choice for finding productive grass lines on the lake. One of my favorites is a Heddon Super Spook in a bone color, it has very sharp hooks and a sound that that gets the attention of the big bass. For line, I prefer 30lb Cortland Master Braid, it has great cast ability. A high-speed reel at 7:3.1 is a must and my go-to rod for this technique is a Temple Fork Outfitters 7’4” MH Tactical Bass series. It has moderate action and a soft tip but a backbone to get a great hook set.

The Hollow Belly Frog will continue to produce in August! My go-to is the Spro Bronzeye Popping Frog, it has a double heavyweight Gamakatsu hook that is extremely sharp and heavy enough to get the big Bass out of the grass! I like to fish the frog over the grass and through holes in the grass. Rod, line, and reel choices are very important with this technique! A high-speed reel is a must, at least 8:3.1, and a heavy braided line. I prefer the 65lb Cortland Master Braid on a 7’3” XH Temple Fork Outfitters Tactical Bass Rod. This rod has a fast tip and has the backbone to get the biggest Bass out of the grass!

The bream have been bedding on Lake Seminole through the month of July and will continue through August!

For a Lake Seminole Fishing Adventure this August we offer morning and evening trips to combat the South Georgia heat. Give me a call at 850-264-7534 or follow us on Instagram @ Capt. paultyrefishing and Facebook @ capt.paultyrefishing

OCONEE ON THE FLY-

Contributed By Capt. Wayne Moore - USCG Licensed www.oconeeonthefly.com

Average high air temperature here on Lake Oconee in August range from 89 degrees Fahrenheit to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The average humidity is 73%. That’s tough for the fisherman and right now the surface water temperature is 87 degrees. That’s tough for the fish.

The good news is that by the end of August things will start to cool off a bit, the kids are back in school, and the lake will become more suitable for the fisherman and the fish. Also, if you can bear to be out in the late afternoon there is a good chance that Georgia Power will be generating and if you are fishing for hybrid bass and striped bass it will greatly improve the fishing.

Crappie – The guides that special-

ize in fishing submerged brush piles and tree tops are doing very well. As I have mentioned many times this requires a good deal of skill to find these areas and position the boat so the customer can fish very close to the structure. Also, there is a lot of pressure on these spots even though there are hundreds of them. A good idea is to follow basic fishing etiquette

and if you come to one that you know about and someone else is already on it, simply move on to another spot. Again, there are hundreds of these spots on Lake Oconee. Crappie fishing is so popular using this method here that often, local bait stores sell out of crappie minnows. This time of year, put your catch on ice as soon as possible.

Hybrids / Stripers – The best bite will be at first light and last light. I still throw my cast net to load the bait tank with threadfin shad for my trips in August but many times trolling a Min Mac (small umbrella rig) or dropping a 7/8-ounce War Eagle spoons will out do live bait. If you do fish live bait, change out the baits frequently as the high-water temperatures and low oxygen levels will take a toll quickly.

Look for fish on the edges of humps. If you are out for the late afternoon bite and they are generating you might see some top water activity. Try throwing the spoon to the rising fish and retrieving it back to the boat fairly quickly.

Fly Fishing – I have not seen a good pump back bite in the morning

in a very long time. Things change here but I hope it returns. For August, I suspect the best opportunity for the fly fisherman will be late in the afternoon when they are generating. During these times, areas like flag pole point, the east bank hump and long shallow points are target areas. I suggest using intermediate line, sink tip or sinking line. Try a white and chartreuse clouser on a #2 hook, a Cowen’s “Somethin Else”, or a small white game changer fly.

Final Words

The pictures here are of two young men (Graham and Hunter) that I had the pleasure of taking out (along with their father). It was a slow day but they both caught fish and said it was one of the best days they have ever had,

That is why I guide! You don’t have to be a guide to make this happen, take a young person with you on your next trip. It just might be their best day ever!

Contact me at wmoore1700@outlook.com or call 404-317-9556 to book your trip.

Tight Lines, and God Bless.

LAKE SEMINOLE

Forecast By: Jeff Hamm Lake Seminole Guide | 770-912-7936

The July fishing report for Lake Seminole: With the water temperatures in the 80s, the morning and evening bites have been excellent. Focus on the grass lines in 6-10 feet as they have been productive. Buzz baits, hollow belly frogs, and Zara Spook lures have been effective during these times. During the day, using crankbaits in 10-15 feet of water has been successful. We had a 3 fish tournament show out with 6 bass over 6 lbs and 1st place had 17.14lbs. The big bass are biting early and late.

Looking ahead to August, the

WEST POINT LAKE

Forecast By: Capt.

Keith Hudson

Keith Hudson Guide Service hudsonprobass@gmail.com | www.LakeWestPointFishing.com

forecast suggests that huge balls of baitfish will be moving into the river and creek channels and making their way to the grass lines. Bass will be actively feeding on these baitfish, so locating the bait will be crucial for finding the bass. In addition to all the above baits, the fluke in pearl color is expected to be a significant player in August, as the baitfish bury themselves in the grass. Contact me to book your next bass fishing trip on beautiful Lake Seminole. “May all of your lines be tight”!

Largemouth and Spots: - FAIR _ August is usually a tough month for bass fishing on most lakes. However, there are a few patterns that can still produce. --- Try pitching jigs or Texas rigged worms around blow-down trees or under boat docks. This pattern seems to work best when the sun is out. The fish like the shade and coverage just like we do. ----Old roadbeds and pond dams, especially those with cover or manmade brush piles can produce some good fish. Try big diving crankbaits or Ol-Monster worms dragged through the thickest cover you can find. ---Some decent fish can still be caught above the 219 bridge in the Chattahoochee by fishing the grass beds especially if the lake remains full. Try a frog style bait or a jig around thick cover or aquatic grasses.

Hybrids and Stripers: GOOD - I am expecting a really good topwater bite this summer because of all the newly hatched shad. Have a popping cork or 3/8 oz Rooster tail ready and watch for schools of fish on the surface. ---If we have a tropical depression come through, they usually go nuts on top! --Trolling big plugs with a bucktail

706-844-1483

in front, especially in the late afternoons during periods of water generation, can be very effective as well.

Crappie: GOOD - Good catches of crappie should continue all summer. Most people kind of forget about them this time of year but the guys who do their homework, putting out brush piles and down lining with live minnows in the thick brush, do very well. Another pattern that works is shooting docks or pitching to docks. Crappie like the shade and often a single dock can produce a limit of fish. Also, night fishing is normally very good during the summer months, and it keeps you out of the heat.

Catfish: GOOD - Although they’re kind of overlooked catfish provide a steady bite all summer. Try using live worms, cut bait, chicken liver fished on bottom. Jug fishing is also productive and a fun way to get the whole family involved. Best of all, catfish are really tasty!

The lake is still near full pool and surface temps in the mid to upper 80’s.

2023 High School Fishing World Finals

Mississippi River, LaCrosse,

WI Team Tournament Standings

Eric Welch Welch’s Guide Service www.welchguideservice.com 706-455-2323

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports: “Fishing has been good. We’re in our summer patterns with a little bit of top-water action going on, but I’m still marking a lot of bait deep. The bait has not been staying up in the water column for a really good top-water bite. I’ve been catching fish in ditches and offshore structures while using my electronics, and Garmin Livescope. To catch these fish, I’m throwing a shaky head, drop shot, and swimbaits. This coming month the bait fish should start moving up and feeding at night, so the top-water bite should start getting better. I always keep at least two top-water baits tied on and on the front deck, so I can get to them quickly. My top choice is the Berkley Cane Walker and Strike

King sexy dawg Jr. Now depending on the size of the bait fish, I will also have a Strike King sexy swimmer on a 1/4 oz jig head to cast where the fish have blown up and won’t hit a topwater bait. If you like fishing banks, lay-downs, and points, try throwing a shaky head, Texas rig, and a drop shot will work. I also have been pitching a 3/8 oz jig around laydowns and brush. Good Luck!

Chatuge: Level: Full pool. Temp: 81-83 degrees. Clarity: Clear

LOCAL LAKES AND FORECAST LAKE CHATUGE TOURNAMENT RESULTS

2023 High School National Championship Mississippi River, LaCrosse, WI

Team Tournament Standings

If you would like to place an ad, please contact us: craig@theanglermagazine.com

Doc Henry had a great day fishing the Etowah River

Timothy Mullis 3.5 lb Lake Eufaula bass caught while fishing with his Uncle Kendall Kelley

Chuck Moore and his Lake Hartwell largemouth bass!

Richard Carpani enjoyed some Lumpkin county trout fishing

Landon Glander with a giant frog caught while fishing the High School Nationals in La Crosse, WI

Kayleigh Verner with a Big 15+ lbs. striper from Lake Nottley.

Kevin Southworth and his Lake Allatoona Large Mouth Bass

Colton, Roch, Jen, and Froh celebrate Froh’s 13th birthday with some stellar Stripers on Lake Lanier with guide Gavin Cloy!!

Bella Denton with a bass from Lake Lanier Olympic Park!

By TAM Sta

CRAPPIE TIPS for Deep Summer

Spring is long gone and so are the quick limits of shallow-water crappie. at doesn’t mean you can’t go load the cooler with some slabs for a sh fry; it just means you’ll have to work a little harder. Here are a few tips to help you catch crappie when the weather and water are hot.

Trust the Electronics: Sonar is your best friend when crappie move deep. You might know where good brush and structure are on your lake, but you won’t know where the schools of crappie are until you spot them on the graph. Use side-scan to look under docks and around points, ledges, ditches and creek and river channels. Don’t even bother wetting a line until you’ve located sh with your electronics.

Find the Shade: Crappie don’t like the sun, and deepwater docks or piers can be the mother lode on bright days. Even underwater structure like ledges, humps and creek channels provide shade. Pay attention to the location of the sun, and then start searching the side of a given piece of structure that will provide some shade.

Go Early: ere’s no sense baking in the sun for a few sh when you can load the boat in just a few hours before and a er daybreak. Boat tra c and water temps are both lower in the morning, which means crappie and the small bait sh they feed on will be most active. In the morning, crappie move shallower up on the humps and ledges to chase bait. ey are more likely to bite when they are actively feeding.

Troll the Humps: O shore humps that top out at 15 feet or deeper will hold crappie this time of year. ey’re even better when there’s brush on them. Early and late, or if there is some dam-generated current, the sh will move

up to feed on these humps. ey suspend o the sides when the sun is high or the water is still. Slowly pull a spread of jigs or small, deep-diving crankbaits or spoons over and around humps where you’ve located sh. Pay close attention to how deep your lures are getting and add weight if you need to get them deeper.

Shoot Docks: Main-lake docks with 15 or more feet of water under them are comfortable places for crappie to hang out when the water is warm. Shoot lightweight jigs as far under these docks as you can, and let them sink slowly to the bottom before beginning a steady retrieve. If there are sh under a dock, they usually won’t let that jig hit the bottom.

Drown a Minnow: A school of crappie suspended o structure at 15 or 25 feet over a 40-foot bottom can be a frustrating scenario. You see them on your electronics, but they are slow to bite. Try dropping a live minnow down there where you’re marking sh. en just let it sit. e bites will be light, so pay attention.

PHOTOS BY NICK CARTER

Re-Discover Old Florida Waterfront Charm

The Perfect Vacation Getaway for Fishing, Boating & Outdoor Enthusiasts

n a dark, muggy morning, we eased into Campo’s Marina in Shell Beach, Louisiana.

By Gary Turner

We picked up 150 live shrimp for our rst day, and every morning began the same way for the rest of the week.

5 a.m., and it would be getting light at 5:30.For some of us— Dewayne and Blake Pro t, Darrel and I—this was the rst time we had been to Shell Beach in search of giant red sh,

Nestled on six lush tropical acres of pristine waterfront directly on the Indian River Lagoon, take a step back in time to experience the very best of Old Florida charm with modern conveniences and services to make your stay truly memorable and unforgettable.

• FULLY FURNISHED 3 ROOM COTTAGES WITH FULLY EQUIPPED KITCHENS

Kingfsh Lodge includes a wide screenTV and bar for small gatherings

Sailfsh House features a wide covered wrap-around porch for larger groups

• Boat Trailer Parking on site w/ Water and Power

• 250 Foot Dock w/ Covered Area

• FREE Ice / FREE Guest Dockage

• Cable TV, Hi-Speed Internet

Cover NEW

• 2 miles to the Ft. Pierce Inlet

• 12 miles to the Gulf Stream

Your

Insurance

• Laundry, BBQ Grilles and FREE use of our Kayaks

NIGHTLY • WEEKLY • MONTHLY • SEASONAL RATES

3011 N. Indian River Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL 34946 www.indianriverlagoonwaterfrontcottages.com

massive sheepshead and gator trout. Touted as the “Best Inshore Fishing in the World,” Shell Beach did not disappoint! e red sh shing was incredible! We hooked some giants, some we never even saw!

We shed spinning gear and 17- to 20-pound line with 2/0 circle hooks baited with either live shrimp or chunks of fresh blue crab. We also used two di erent techniques. Some of us popped a Cajun under cork. I used a Carolina rig, with the weight on my line, then a barrel swivel and an 18-inch leader terminating in my 2/0 BKK circle hook with a live shrimp.

Now… back to the sh we never saw! We shed some ats right where the tall marsh grass met the canals. e water was usually less than a foot deep. We would cast right next to the grass and wait for sh that were cruising this edge in search of food. en it was on! Your line would cut a wake as the sh ran for deep water and peeled drag. ese sh used any structure or rocks they could nd to break o . Even when they ran to deep water, they just kept going. We broke several lines before deciding to pull up anchor and chase the next big one.

at worked well, so we started chasing down lots of big red sh. Blake hooked one with the popping cork that broke him o . Later, we spotted the cork in the shallows and eased up to try to net it. Just as we got to it, the sh took o and was never seen again.

e days were hot, in the low to mid 90s with pop-up thunderstorms every day. One day we even spotted two waterspouts. We did our best to dodge all that, but we did get wet a few times. e last 30 minutes of daylight were always the most productive. We shed rock walls and hooked up several big red sh each evening. Mixed in with the red sh were some giant sheepshead that fell for the same tactics as the reds. Blue crabs are everywhere. You can catch them with a long-handle dip net or rod and reel.

Shell Beach is in St. Bernard Parish on the Gulf Outlet Canal near Lake Borgne, just 30 minutes from New Orleans. We plan on going back next year.

Check out Gary Turner’s YouTube channel @FishingMagicWithGary.

O

NORSE BY NORSEWEST?

Embrace your Scandinavian side with a 7" blade

If you looked out your window a thousand years ago and saw a fleet of Viking longships coming your way,you knew you were in trouble. For roughly two centuries, the Vikings voyaged, raided and pillaged wherever they pleased. As expert sailors and navigators, they reached as far from Scandinavia as Iran, Constantinople, North Africa and the New World in their quest to expand their kingdom.

A mini sword. Too organized and too aggressive, no one stood in a Viking’s way. That’s exactly the message that our Viking Blade sends. Crafted from Damascus steel with brass inlay, this 12" full-tang knife is essentially a mini sword. Paired with its hand-tooled leather sheath, this knife belongs in the collection of any avid aficionado.

Join more than 322,000 sharp people who collect stauer knives

The steel of legend. For centuries, a Damascus steel blade was instantly recognizable and commanded respect. Renowned for its sharp edge, beauty and resistance to shattering, Damascus steel was the stuff of legend. While the original process has been lost to the ages, modern bladesmiths have been able to re-create Damascus steel to create the best blades imaginable.

Sure to impress, naturally. Combining natural strength and natural wonder at a price that’s hard to beat, the Viking Blade is a study in Damascus steel that’s sure to impress. And should you ever find yourself facing a Viking horde, a flash of this knife will show that you’re not to be messed with.

Don’t delay: Order within the next week and we’ll offer this blade to you for just $99, a savings of $200! That’s the best bang for your buck we can possibly offer: our Stauer® Impossible Price. Get your hands on one of the fastest-selling knives in our company’s history today.

Knife Specifications:

• 12" overall length. 7" Damascus full-tang blade

•Includes genuine leather sheath

Viking Blade $299 $99* + S&P Save $200

California residents please call 1-800-333-2045 regarding Proposition 65 regulations before purchasing this product. *Special price only for customers using the offer code.



“This knife is everything promised. Beautiful beyond comparison. And completely functional. Love it.”

— Gene, Auburn, WA

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: VGK168-01

99 Stauer®Impossible Price

Tennessee Angler Breaks His Own State Record

Aer a grueling 15-minute battle while shing solo, angler Micka Burkhart successfully netted and boated a 122-pound blue cat sh from Tennessee’s Cumberland River on June 28. e sh is a pending state record that should top the 118.7-pound record mark, which Burkhart set himself at Barkley Reservoir last September.

e whole ght can be viewed on a video posted to Burkhart’s YouTube channel, with the action climaxing as Burkhardt breathlessly pleads with the sh and promises to release it if he can just get it in the net.

Burkhart’s monster blue o cially weighed 122.3 pounds and measured 57.5 inches long, with a 42.25-inch girth. It ate a white bass head shed on 40-pound-test line. A er transporting the sh in a large livewell on his trailered boat to get o cial measurements, Burkhart returned to the Cumberland River and successfully released it back to the Stewart County stretch in northwest Tennessee near the Kentucky and Missouri borders. In a Facebook post, Burkhart reported that he also caught 69- and 72-pound blue cats on the same day. at’s a mighty ne day of shing.

e IGFA all-tackle world record blue cat sh weighed 143 pounds, even. It was caught from Kerr Lake, Virginia by Richard Nicholas Anderson in June of 2011.

The Return of a

To watch Burkhart catching the new state record, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ni4BPAaEng&t=1s

This Is How You Walk the Walk

Comfort and class go hand in hand with our Walking Stick Collection. Yours for ONLY $59 each!

They call walking the “perfect exercise.” It gets your heart pumping, clears your head and fills your lungs with fresh air. Not bad, but we found a way to make it even better. Before you take your next 10,000 steps, add a little strut to your stroll. Take a Stauer Walking Stick anywhere and I promise that you’ll feel like a conquering hero. Heads will turn. Doors will open. Its powers will astound you.

What’s the secret? Pure class. Our Stauer Walking Sticks are a tip of the top hat to turn-of-the-century tradition. Today these tributes to a gentleman’s power, prestige, and posture are fetching as much as $200,000 at auction. But only Stauer can deliver a modern version of these vintage classics that looks and feels as good as the original for $59 each!

Stauer Walking Stick Collection

A. Derbyshire $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

B. Earlsford $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

C. Knightsbridge $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

D. Hinwick Hare $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

E. Gentleman’s $79* $59 +S&P Save $20

• 36" long • Imported Eucalyptus wood

• Etched & sculpted solid brass handles with varying finishes

• Rubber tips • Supports up to 250 lbs.

• All models available in 40" height—call for details.

1-800-333-2045

PRAISE FOR STAUER WALKING STICKS

Your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. Experience the comfort and class of our exquisite Walking Sticks for 30 days. If you’re not feeling the power and prestige, simply send it back within 30 days for a refund of the item price. At Stauer, we walk the talk. Limited Edition. Only 500 each available for this ad only! These handcrafted beauties take months to craft and are running (not walking) out the door. So, take a step in the right direction. Call today!

“An excellent walking stick. Solid and elegant. Perfect for a night out. Well crafted.”

– J. from Pacific Grove, CA

Your Insider Offer Code: WSC286-01 You must use the insider offer code to get our special price.

14101 Southcross Drive W., Ste 155, Dept. WSC286-01 Burnsville, Minnesota 55337 www.stauer.com

*Discount is only for customers who use the offer code versus the listed original Stauer.com price.

Stauer… Afford the Extraordinary . ®

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

A Time of Porpoise

Amemorable beach moment: You’re basking in the warm sun, toes in the sand, letting the gentle turn of the foam-capped waves lull you into a state of complete relaxation. As your eyes scan the endless horizon of blue on blue, you’re rewarded with a school of dolphins making their way across the sea.

There’s no denying their signature shape as they leap from the water. If you don’t see anything else extraordinary the rest of day, you can take solace knowing you’ve witnessed one of nature’s most playful and human-like creatures in their natural habitat.

Why not re-create that special moment with our Balinese Dolphin Pendant? We’ve captured two dolphins mid-jump in sterling silver crafted in the Balinese style. Tucked between these beloved sea mammals is a full carat of shimmering blue topaz. Made by some of Indonesia’s finest artisans, this pendant is an absolute steal at JUST $29! That’s what we call our Stauer IMPOSSIBLE PRICE!

Nothing captures the shimmering color of the ocean in the midday sun like blue topaz. With its sparkling, clear blue color and high reflective index, blue topaz is one of the world’s top-selling gemstones. The Gemological Institute of America lauds topaz for its hardness, noting that blue topaz is known for its intense color that’s better than aquamarine. With this special price, you can score quite the catch. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Enjoy the Balinese Dolphin Pendant for 30 days. If it doesn’t pass the test swimmingly, send it back for a full refund of the item price.

Limited reserves. This pendant is already one of our best sellers this year. A full carat of genuine blue topaz set in .925 sterling silver for this price is as rare as a dolphin sighting. We cannot guarantee availability for long. Call today! This offer is limited to the first 1,900 responders to this ad!

Jewelry Specifications:

• Made in Indonesia

• Blue topaz and .925 sterling silver

Balinese Dolphin Pendant (1 carat)

$299 $29* Save $270

*Special price only for customers using the offer code.

1-800-333-2045

Your Insider Offer Code: DNP141-01

Impossible PriceONLY

29

What Stauer Clients Are Saying About Our Topaz

“Just lovely! Would recommend it as a purchase. Thank you STAUER.” — Mary L.

One carat of shimmering blue topaz set in sterling silver for  $29