1/10/08
Fishing news fair on Marion and Moultrie
By Terry Madewell

Most of the fishing reports seem to have one thing in common, the fishing for catfish – especially blue catfish – has been very good.

In addition, the fishing reports are still good for stripers, at least on some days. Plus some largemouth catches are being made throughout the lake and there’s been a bit of action on crappie. Overall, for January and especially right after a really cold blast of arctic air last week, fishing is actually pretty good.

The warm spell at the beginning of this week is certainly a good thing for the fishing. It should help the largemouth fishing as much as anything.

Right now, the catfish are still being taken by tight lining shad over pods of baitfish as well as by casting cut bait off drops and ledges. Most of the catfish action seems to be on the blue catfish; however the flatheads and channel catfish are being taken in good numbers as well. The flatheads prefer live bait and a couple of hefty flatheads have been reported caught by anglers drifting live bait for stripers. The cut bait and night crawlers have produced more action on the smaller channel catfish.

The catfish are typically bunched up in tight schools so if you don’t get any bites soon after setting up, don’t linger long in one spot. Keep moving until you get on the fish.

The largemouth bite has been fair with a few good fish caught recently. The warmer weather may actually help the shallow water action so don’t totally ignore the water less than three feet deep. In addition to the artificial lures such as jigs, worms and crank baits, some fishermen are using big, live shiners fished under a big cork float during this time of the year to hook some huge largemouth. With the water level so dramatically changed, the areas where this will work have certainly changed. But cold water temperatures create a prime time to hook big largemouth on shiners. Scout out some new territory and give this method a try. It does take a bit more patience, but it can produce some real hawg largemouth.

The crappie action has been fair and some fish have been caught in the 10-14 foot depth range. Again, this stretch of warm weather may get these fish more active as well.

There has been some striper schooling action, but most of the fish have been taken by drifting live bait or trolling deep diving lures. The major creeks such as Wyboo and Potato creeks are good places to troll, as well as along the rip rap at the Wilson Dam.

The news from the coastal area is very good for both redfish and trout. Artificial lures, particularly gold spoons fished on the shallow flats at low tide are producing very good catches of redfish. Green jigs and artificial shrimp trailers, as well as live bait, are producing the trout action. Trolling 1/4-ounce grubs has also been a very good tactic for trout, especially in the larger creeks.