LAKE HARTWELL IS DOWN 9.56 FEET, CLEAR, 50’S

This bass fishing report is by Josh Panyard

Bass fishing is good. Not much has changed this week we have focused our efforts on the main lake in the ditches. As always this time of year you want to look for the areas the sun is on first. This water warms the quickest and can be very productive. Continue to look for the bait as this continues to be key as it always is during the winter months. So take the time to find the bait and fish these areas thoroughly. Our bite has started shallow and ended up out in deeper water as the day progresses. We have been starting in the 15 foot zone making our way out to that 35 foot area by afternoon. If there is cloud cover look for the fish to stay shallower throughout the entire day and if the sun is out then look for these same fish to work their way out to the first timber line. Key baits we have been using in these areas are a jerk bait, pulse rig, jig, shaky head and some type of underspin with either a fluke Jr. or a small paddle tail swimbait on the back in the ditches. For our jig and shaky head anything in a green pumpkin color is good this time of year. For the jerk bait look to use both the shallow and deep divers. Something in the pro blue, pearl, or shad color will work best right now look to use the bait on the ledge side of the points or the back part of the ditches. Key is to find the right cadence with the jerk bait to get the fish to react to the bait. This does not produce a lot of bites but the ones you do get are usually your better fish. If this does not produce try throwing a Pulse Rig (a form of A Rig) in this same area from the back of the ditches out to the deeper water this bait has been catching most of our fish right now. Key for us was to continue to move throughout the day if we didn't get bit within 10 minutes of fishing an area we picked up the trolling motor and moved on. When we got some bites we slowed down and worked the area with several baits before moving on to the next area. We will continue to work these areas until the water starts to warm up and as the days get longer then we will start focusing our efforts shallower for those pre spawn fish. Remember the lake is close to 10ft low and there are a lot of objects sticking up out of the water and not marked. So be safe out there and we hope to see you on the water.

On April 29, 2017 in Blue Ridge Georgia, the Blue Ridge Trout Fest will be there for their second year. Vendors, seminars and much more are planned. http://blueridgetroutfest.com/

Ken Sturdivant, Lowrance Pro Staff will teach two Free SONAR classes at the Cabela’s in Greenville, South Carolina, Saturday February 25, 2017 at 10 am and again at noon.

Ask for a free sonar set up sheet by sending me an email to [email protected]. Please tell me what model machine you have.

We recommend Overboard Designs for 2956 Waterworks Road Buford, Georgia 30518 Phone 678.714.7122.

We recommend Transducer Shield and Savers. Protect your investment.

We have the LOWRANCE Gen 3 Touch and the game changing technology in the NEW 3D Lowrance Technology on our boat. Bring any HDS machine only to Lake Lanier and learn it ALL in one day. Call Ken for details.

Ask for a free sonar set up sheet by sending me an email to [email protected]. Please tell me what model machine you have.

Anglers have these books for sale BASS FISHING ON WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books have lots of bass fishing and covers every week of the year. Each book $39.00. If you would like a sample of any book send us an e mail to [email protected].

We offer these waypoints for sale. You get the coordinates and you load them into your GPS unit for
Lake Allatoona for $99.00 Lake Lanier for $99.00 Lake Oconee for $99.00 Lake Weiss for $99.00 Lake Hartwell for $99.00 WAYPOINTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE

On Saturday, March 25, 2017 2pm at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville, learn BASICS OF ELECTRONICS BY LOWRANCE PRO STAFF, KEN STURDIVANT

The 48th annual world championship of professional bass fishing will be held March 16 18, 2018, in Greenville and on Lake Hartwell at Anderson, S.C., it was announced today in a news conference in Greenville’s Bon Secours Wellness Arena, which will be the site of daily weigh in ceremonies.

Our mailing address is Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge Cumming Georgia 30040. 770 889 2654