BTW - A couple of my fish - Alabama Spotted Bass, here in their native range. Maybe not 6 pounds, but...good enuf !

Hey JB - Thanks for the offer. I've travelled all around MT and the Dakotas...in my imagination. Watched an old movie lately - "Rancho Deluxe" filmed around Livingston. How's the smoke out there, these days ? Your photos look pretty clear. Must be Flathead Lake, Hungry Horse or Kootanusa. SM Bass in MT used to be a well-kept secret...until NOW !!

Why don't you say where you are catching those bass ? Lake/River/North/South/East or West ? MT is a big state, and I won't be intruding on your spot. I am 2,000 miles away !

I live close to Carters Lake near Chatsworth, GA and have fished the Lower Lake some over the past 8 years. This is the re-regulation reservoir where excessive water level and temperature fluctuations occur due to power generation and pump back operations. I try to avoid periods of excessive turbulence but am seeking more insight into how to do better on this lake. The target species are spotted bass, catfish, yellow perch and other panfish.
I am also interested in the Main Carters Lake (Upper Lake) in the vicinity of the Woodring Branch launching ramp, mainly what would be the preferred depth for finding active bass, etc. in this very deep, clear lake. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks

Hello. I am impressed that you have fishing info from all over the country. You must travel a lot.
Can you give any insight regarding Carters Lake in North GA and especially Carters re-regulation lake ?
The re-regulation lake has excessive fluctuations in water level due to pumpback and power generation, but it is close to where I live so I have been fishing there for the past 5 yrs. with some success. However, I would like to do better. I generally try to avoid excessive turbulence.
I have been staying away from the main Carters lake but would appreciate any suggestions on technique/lures and how deep to be fishing in the vicinity of the woodring branch launching ramp. Thanks for any info you can provide. JG

I've been wondering the same thing. It is rare to find anyone from our area on this site. Where do you launch on Parksville ? I've launched a kayak from the north shore "Old Ramp" off of hwy 64 just once but plan on doing more of it. There were quite a few signals on the depth finder out 14 to 18 feet deep. (On flats and around that round wooded point). It was late in the day so earlier might be better. Do you ever fish the King's Slough area ? Also, I catch the occasional perch but mainly sunfish, white bass and yellow bass on Chickamauga lake. They are real good eating and are fun to catch - I have some yellow bass in the skillet this evening.

I've had some success bank fishing below Watts Bar and Chickamauga Dams with the high water and current to be expected at this time of year. The bite seems to be late in the day and up until it is too dark to see. A head-mounted light is a useful accessory. The catch consists of an assortment of various types of panfish which do very well in the skillet. Sauger used to be common but are now rare. Our friends in WV are fortunate to have such a great sauger fishery. Anyone with input on this subject, or who have fishing reports from elsewhere around this area, please let us hear from you.

You are fortunate to have such good sauger fishing, because the sauger populations are declining in most of their range. I was asking about the type of dams you have because that will affect the migration of the sauger and their spawning success. Just the fact that the limits are being reduced indicates that in a few more years we might not have the quality of fishing which is currently being enjoyed.

Hey Mike - Your sauger pictures have caused me to study up on the fishing and navigation history in the Ohio River and it's tributaries. Sauger fishing has declined here in TN where the dams are fewer but higher. The fish cannot get past them, and siltation has covered up shoals where they spawn. How often do the numerous low dams in your area get covered up by high water ? If the dams are underwater for periods of time the sauger could swim over them on their spawning migrations. JG

Sauger are an "endangered species" in some areas. Here in TN there used to be a lot of sauger caught in the big rivers, but they have mostly disappeared. It is a mystery what happened to them. Now the state is stocking walleye to replace the sauger. Is there any stocking of sauger done by the state in WV or Ohio ? If not, that is great that you have a naturally reproducing population.

Does the state do any stocking of the sauger in WV or Ohio ? The big rivers in TN used to have a lot of them but for some reason they seem to be in decline. The TWRA stocks walleye to replace the sauger. Walleye supposedly do better in the hatcheries and they get bigger, but..THEY AIN'T Sauger !!

What body of water are you catching the stripers, and are they a naturally reproducing population ? (As opposed to stocked) Thanks

I've already got a laundry list of problems that I'm having, using this site. I might be better off just continuing to read, rather than participate.

Howdy neighbor ! Thanks for the reply and info. I am 72 and would be fishing today except that I have severe arthritis and have an MRI coming up tomorrow. I managed to get into and out of an inflatable boat last week and caught enough crappie for dinner. I caught my first brown trout at Tammen Park a few years ago. I couldn't follow it up on subsequent trips so haven't been back. I have a fly rod/automatic reel but mainly do ultralight spinning on flat water w/ 2 & 4 pound test.
I've been up to Reliance numerous times - mainly driving around and taking pictures.

Thanks for the welcome. I've already been enjoying this site by reading the daily blogs. I've had some fantastic fishing around Port Lavaca...but not lately ! JG