Thanks for the info.
I like to look at the north CA postings, as the terrain is so different than where I am.
Also - the alabama spotted bass from my area has been widely stocked in your reservoirs.
I reside in the native range of those fish.
It is necessary to fish 40+ feet deep in these georgia mountain lakes.
I'm not familiar with the tackle you mentioned, so I might try to look it up.
Beer might be optional - better yet, mandatory ! JG

Hello Busman: I'll bet it is nice on Lake Shasta.
Could you describe what kind of flasher/nightcrawler rig you are using ?
Usually, my spinner, sinker and bait end up getting tangled up. Maybe it is because I try to cast it instead of dropping it down and simply letting out line. A photo of your rig would be helpful, and any help on this would be appreciated.
Thanks, JG

Hello Neighbor !!
Thanks for the reply and info.
I was surprised to read that someone has found good bank fishing on a lake known for inaccessible shorelines. I've got a lot of questions, but also am willing to share my knowledge.
I've had success fishing for a lot of years, but since moving to Gilmer county, I've stayed away from Carters.
I've caught some good fish on the lower lake.
When you fish the Woodring area, do you have to hike a long way and go down steep rocky banks ?
I've caught a few good ones off of the Ridgeway floating dock...but not lately.
I hope that we can have a conversation about this.
Even minimal fishing advice about this lake is pretty hard to come by. J. Gibbons

Thanks for getting back to me. I have been disappointed by the lack of replies.
Do you fish Carters much, or mainly other places besides Lanier around North Georgia ?
I am not after trophies and catch a lot of pan-sized fish.
(But not Lately...especially in this deep, clear lake).
On Wednesday I marked some signals strung out in a line at 30-35 feet out from the steep, rocky bank to the right of the ramp. No takers jigging a spoon or soaking live worms. Other fish marked towards sunset >15 feet.
I've never done well in early am but have found success in late afternoons and surprisingly, in mid-day, over the years, when I lived in middle TN.
Fortunately I have a TN non-resident license and plan on using it in the very near future.

There are ample online resources to identify fish.
Google "Fish ID"
I hope that this helps

It is because - those are NOT white bass !!

Hello Rotorhead and thanks for the reply.
R U my Neighbor ? (LOL)
Carters at ANY time of the year can be tough.
I will add to what I've already posted.
I limit myself to the area within 1/4 mile of the Woodring put-in.
I've never done any good at first light since I didn't know where I am going.
(OR what I am doing)
I fish mid-afternoons until dark and sometimes after dark.
Depth of water to fish is important, also the structure in my area of interest.
I marked a lot of signals in the upper cove @30 feet adjacent to the picnic area (point) and some around the point but only caught one sunfish. I have hooked a few bass and catfish to the right of the ramp 10-30 feet deep.

Does anybody fish Carters Lake in North Georgia ? I live near the Woodring Branch ramp and will be fishing around there. I have mapped the area and use a depth finder and am prepared to fish deeper than I ever have in the past.
I have marked scattered groupings of fish on my screen from 25 to 60 feet and deeper. I've had trouble getting bites, and the fish I do catch are mostly too small (channel catfish, green sunfish and bluegill). So far have tried live worms, jigs with gulp worm trailers, and vertical jigging a kastmaster spoon. I am happy to catch pan-size bass, catfish, bluegill and anything else that will bite. I am not trying to threaten the livelihood of the guides who make money off of the larger game fish. They can become quite nasty when asked for any advice. Information is scarce on ALL of the North Georgia mountain lakes, so any help is greatly appreciated. Thank You.

What size jigging rap do you use for such deep water, and how long 'til it gets to the bottom ? Do you have any other rigs that are effective in such deep water ? I am in north Georgia and there are deep reservoirs which require terminal tackle that gets down there without getting tangled.
ALSO, what is the deal with the lack of ice at this time of year ?

I procured a sample cup from the urologist but have not used it, yet. The size is less than ideal - it takes up a lotta space. I recently tried an old film canister (from the days when cameras used film). It seems to seal all right, but when it is hot weather, that will be the true test. I caught some crappie last week on gulp alive, but then switched to live worms to catch bluegill in 48 degree water. The gulp alive worms are a valuable addition and have put many fish in my bucket, over the years. I went from soft plastics to gulp to gulp alive...now I usually start out with live worms.

The Gulp Alive red worms/red wigglers are great but will not necessarily outfish live worms. I will fish either on a light weight jig head, bottom bumping or suspended under a bobber. Plastic grub/gulp worm or live worm can be rigged the same. The very small diameter of the gulp worm necessitates a fine-wire jig hook. Berkeley might be persuaded to offer gulp alive in larger sizes.

I am a "true believer" in the Gulp Alive red worms. This is the first time I have heard that other anglers are having a problem with the leaking jars. I have had the same problem and have contacted Berkley Twice. They did reply but dropped the conversation both times.
I plan on implementing what I read on the Forum to find a solution to this problem. I hope to hear more suggestions. A jar that will hold water will not necessarily hold the Gulp alive fluid.

How deep are you trolling ? Do you cast it out or just drop it and let out line ? I've had trouble with the spinner and hook tangling with the sinker. I am fishing 20-50 feet deep, vertical to at a 45 degree angle in a mountain lake.
Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. I thought of clamping the sinker between the spinner and the hook, but that puts the spinner farther from the bait. Thanks

Hello Bric -I see that U R in Helena. I always thought that trout was the main attraction out there. I like trout...they taste good ! Otherwise pike, walleye and yellow perch. It was a surprise to see so many smallmouth coming out of those mountain lakes. I've read a lot of articles about sauger in the Yellowstone River. Around here sauger used to be abundant, and SM bass are protected by an 18" minimum (in TN)

I do have some favorite fish to catch, but really, it's whatever is biting Now !