tnhiker44

I would have to say the aerial assault. I have had several smallmouths leap out of the water behind a Zara Spook and dive bomb on top of it. Not anything quite like it. Nothing comes close.

You took the words right out of my mouth!! My tip would be to find a smaller body of water and avoid Lanier like the plaque. On a holiday weekend on that lake you can practically walk across the lake. You will see everything from six foot inflatables to 50 foot yachts. And bunches and bunches in between. Not to mention the 8 thousand jet skis.

Big Country, I have to travel up to Tennessee this weekend to attend my daughters graduation (what wingnut thought Memorial Day week-end was a good time for graduation??) but I will be back early Monday... or at least hope to. I will be ready to get out there and wet a line... if you happen to be out there and see a white Triton shout and wave. I will pick you up and give you a spot on the back. The place closes at sunset so barring some difficulties I will certainly be there until then. I think you will get a kick out of the depth changes (i.e. channels, flats, humps, ect.) that they have built into that 108 acre lake. I am sure these rapid depth changes will soon silt over as I am guessing it is all red clay bottom. The last time I was there the water level was up and had cooled down some from my previous visit. The average surface temperature last visit was about 82... down from 88 the time before! Last trip I caught three fish - a 6.4, a 6.2 and a 5.6, all on a magnum trick worm in the watermelon seed color. One rigged wacky style... but the lake has plenty of snags out there so from the bank I would rig them 'normal' (weightless and weedless). But by all means if you see a tall handsome actor looking dude in a white Triton give me a holler. Of course, I ain't tall, ain't handsome and I can't act... but besides that, it will be me in the white, relatively clean, brand new Triton out there. You will also be able to identify me another way... I will be the one catching fish!!!!

I obviously do not know your waters, but based on where you live and the time of year I would guess that you will be more successful getting your boat about as shallow as you care to go right now. The humps and drop offs will come into play when the water is much warmer. I am gonna guess that right about now your fish are thinking about survival of the species... i.e. spawning. I may be wrong... but if I am right you cannot fish too shallow right about now. I could have it all wrong, I live down south... where I have already seen 88 degree surface temps!!

I cannot think of any fresh water on Jekyll that is not surrounded by a golf course. I am pretty sure they will not allow fishing there... if you wanted to risk it I suggest you wear a helmet. There is a salt water inlet/cove on the southwest side of the island that has plenty of jumping mullet in it. Probably a few sail cats and perhaps a redfish or two in there.

Bass XL, Great post and a great win. Congrats. This just goes to show how important even one fish is (mental note). Once again, congrats and good luck.

Sorry to hear you had a tough day. Based on my experiences as a non boater that is the exception and not the rule. The first time I fished a state regional I had a tough day too. I met up with my boater for day one and he tossed me a helmet and said the only three words he spoke the entire day. I will never forget it. He said, and I quote "Put this on". That is it. For the entire day. We took off and flew down West Lake Toho to the lock, locked through, flew (like around 70 mph... in a narrow river/channel) south through another lock or two and he finally stopped to fish some shell beds near Brahma Island on Lake Kissimmee. That is like a three hour boat ride at nearly top speed. We stopped, he positioned the boat so I had nothing but acres upon acres of hydrilla to throw to while he caught four big fish and we headed back to the weigh-in. He was on fish... I was on hydrilla. I almost quit fishing the state regional tourneys after that day. But I did learn something that day... it makes no sense to be a total jerk towards the guy behind you. He is there to fish too. That one day has made me a better boater. Since then I have always asked my non boater if they want to control the boat for a while or if they have some water they would like to fish. Life is too short to be a jerk on purpose.....

I use Atlantic Mapping, Inc. maps that I bought from Bass Pro. They are the ones with the GPS coordinates on them. They are relatively accurate in regards to depth, but I have never actually tried to find an exact GPS point. I have located road beds with them though. I am not trying to be argumentative here, but I disagree with the difficult to fish comments. Okeechobee is a difficult lake for newbies. Dale Hollow is a difficult lake for newbies. But I would not say that for West Point. My opinion, any ways.

I have fished the lake several times this year and have done well as far as numbers. I have not been able to find the big bite though. I was there a couple of weeks ago and caught 20 to 30 on mostly white flukes casting into the shad hatches. I lost a five pounder or so at the boat but most of the fish I caught would barely keep. I stayed at a cabin at Highland Marina and never wandered too far from there... up the 'Hootch' a bit, up Yellow Jacket some but that is about it. I fished West Point back in February, water temp in the mid 50's, and did quite well. We boated a couple of fours and several threes and two nice spots. I caught both spots on, get this, white flukes... in 55 degree water!! I love that lake and am looking forward to the upcoming tourney there on the 30th of this month. Oh yea... a good lake map will show you that there are many many underwater roads, buildings, submerged ponds and even bridges on the bottom of this lake. I would guess there are probably 20 or so marked road beds. Get a map and look for the red lines!

I too live in central Georgia, just twenty or so miles due east of Warner Robins. This is my very first post and find it awesome that there are some local anglers that participate on this board. clayf has mentioned the new Ocmulgee public fishing area and he has nailed the description to a tee. I am quite sure we have been there at the same time (that's me in the white Triton), as it is only ten minutes from the house and so darn convenient. Not a bunch of fish, like Dodge Co. or Hugh McGillis, but there are great big ones in there. I have caught two over ten out of there and the lake is but three years old!! I am pretty sure there are a few fellow board members from above the Mason/Dixon that cannot believe that we are releasing double digit fish! Anyway, it is a pleasure to see fellow local anglers on this board. Oh, and by the way, the new public fishing area just south of Perry is set to open real soon. tight lines, tnhiker44