Thread: Chattahoochee River above Atlanta Report

Got to river at 7AM this morning (Sunday). I know, I know..I played hooky from Sunday School but the good Lord blessed me anyway.
Had to wait until the sun came up to burn off some of the fog hanging over river in order to navigate. River was running red mud..must have been from all the rain up in Cumming, Saturday. Only 2 other boats at ramp and others were turning in, looking, and then leaving. That was their misfortune....all they had to do was go downriver to the natural lakes and the water color was perfect. Dark dingy green. Temp. on surface 72 degrees.
The rest of the report is very simple...just MURDERED the crappies. Finally got into some decent size ones there. I call "decent size" ones like Minnowsoaker caught at Lanier and dubbed them South Carolina dinks. Thats good eating fish to this old guy.
Had the limit by 10AM...started culling, counted a double limit caught and released by 11:30. Had a triple limit on the counter (and released) by 1PM. They were in 3-4 feet of water next to any fallen tree you saw. Caught 'em casting, pitching, sling shotting, doodling...you pick one. Using Panfish Assassin Tiny Shad on 1/64 jig head....black/grey shad color.
It got to be so ridiculous I started experimenting with 2 of the scents that you soak baits with. I've always been partial to FishFormula #2 but no more. Tested that Berkeley Powerbait and with same rigs, same lures, it outpulled strikes over FishFormula #2 by three to one. The fish hang on to that Powerbait stuff longer, I think. When you catch that many fish and never lose one single fish...something is making the difference.
Got tired of catching them around 2PM, took a swim, took a nap, woke up and saw clouds coming and headed for ramp. Home again in Tucker before the rain hit.
Regards,
Douglas Bush

I love those ridiculous days. If you get on feeding crappie they will keep you busy. sounds like you had a blessed day.

Mr Doug Bush, I mean the Hooch Crappie Master, I am glad to hear you had such a blessed day. Those days come along only a few times in our fishing careers and they are memories we charish. It is days like those that make you wish you had someone along to share in the fun, but maybe not if you like fishing by yourself. Glad you have found a bait that works well for you. Mastering a certain bait and technique really help build confidence. Hope to get back on the river soon and hope to see you there.

Good report The good lord indeed did bless you.
I like them Water Temps. What's the highest they'll go in the summer.
Lake Russell it's getting warm enough to boil and egg.

Beagler

Thanks for the great report Mr. Bush. I want to be one of several people that would like to invite you to the clash in October. Please consider it because I think that you would enjoy it. Thank you again for the report and may GOD bless you.

Now that is a report! I wish I lived closer to ya so you could show me how it is done.

Beagler, the highest I ever saw the water get in temperature was 75-76 on those backwater lakes. The lakes (ponds actually) get an integration of water from the main river body and it (the river) stays right at 58 on the surface all summer. I suppose thats why the lakes are cooler. I'm sure its colder down in the 30-40foot depths of the river channel at Morgan Falls dam.
I never fished near that dam. Everytime I get to toying with the idea I take a look at those big lock type doors and have visions of them opening up and me getting caught in them. I know thats paranoia working, but I stay away from that thing ,nevertheless.
I did go very close to it once, prowling with depthfinder, and the river makes a sharp left hand bend at some high banks about 25 yards from dam on the west side and then runs parallell to the dam all the way to the spillrace on the east bank. Probably a manmade diversion of the flow during the engineering of the dam, decades ago. It looks great on the depthfinder but I just dont have the stones to stay around that thing.
The backwater lake's water just doesn't heat up like Lanier and Jackson and West Point...too much cold stuff filtering in from that main body.
Regards,
Douglas

RagFlyJigMan....
Thanks for the invite. I need to think about that get together, my boat is so small (only 14 feet) with a 20hp Merc on it....I bet nobody would want to get in it with me.
Also I have a slightly enlarged prostate which means I have to attend to business about every 2 hours...and that also means I get up in the middle of the night too. (I have a nice tent of my own) My wife hates it, even though Doc gave me Flomax to make things come out smooth....I still have to deal with the nuisance of it all. I guess thats a little too much personal info to post on here....SiteBoss, just delete it if you think it offends.
The eating and the conversation part sounds good though. I think I'd enjoy it and also meeting you guys. I havent been to a deal like that since 1972 or 1973 in "crazy days" when I was doing the bass pro thing and acting like a fool. I'm sure yours are much tamer and civilized...I dont do that "drink all the whiskey in sight and play poker all night" anymore. I have an idea that you guys don't either which means I would be with the right people.
Regards,
Douglas

Mr. Bush

I like them water temps. It sounds like you got good fishing all through the summer. Lake Russell was 84 degrees 3 wks ago. I'm going thursday morning and I'll get a water temp then . I doubt if I catch any true slabs this time of yr it seems like you can catch a good many Crappie but there not much in size.
I also want to invite you over for Crappiefest. As for the size of your boat. I fish out of a 12 ft Lowe's Jon with a 8 hp Merc. There's a lot of folks that fish out of small boats on Russell. I seen someone fishing out of a inflatable one time. The Clash is getting a lot of talk and attention, But the main part of the day is the fellowship. that's the main reason Crappiefest was organized. Some folks will be arriving thursday and some won't come in till Sat. If you want come and spend the weekend with us . Or spend the day. I have shelter 3 reserved. I'm looking forward to seeing you as well as other folks from crappie.com.
Regards
Beagler