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Georgia spotted bass fishing
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The spotted bass is one of six black
bass species found in Georgia. Spotted bass, commonly called
"spots," are second only to largemouth bass in their
importance to Georgia bass fishing.
At first glance, spotted bass are almost indistinguishable
from large mouths. A second look at a few telltale
characteristics makes identification easy, though. Spotted
bass usually have a sandpaper-like tooth patch on the
tongue, which large mouths lack. Also, the rear of the jaw
does not extend behind the eye as it does in large mouths,
and finally, the spiny and soft dorsal fins are connected
with a shallow notch not reaching all the way to the body.
The average Georgia spotted bass weighs about a pound, and
anything more than 4 pounds is considered a trophy, although
spots of this size are not all that unusual.
Reservoirs that are favored by spotted bass can be generally
characterized as deep and clear. Spots are more open-water
fish than large mouths are, and they will commonly be found
on deeper offshore structure instead of shallow shoreline
cover.
Spotted bass are strong fighters, and many anglers feel that
spots are the most spirited black bass species. Although
spotted bass do not grow as big as large mouths and are not
as acrobatic as small mouths, a good spotted bass on the end
of the line gives you a fight to remember.
LAKE CHATUGE
Lake Chatuge is a 7,050-acre Tennessee Valley Authority
reservoir constructed on the Hiwassee River for hydropower
and flood control. Impounded in 1942, Chatuge has always
been a popular destination, and its shores are lined with
cabins and houses. Georgia and North Carolina share the
lake, with both states having an almost equal-sized portion.
Since Chatuge is a relatively infertile lake, its waters are
usually clear. Although not loaded with cover, the
impoundment does have a fair amount of stumps and brush,
especially considering the age of the lake. Chatuge is a
typical highland lake, and fishing in depths of 25 feet or
more is not uncommon here.
Lake Chatuge has undergone some dramatic changes in its
history. For many years, this reservoir was the best place
in Georgia for catching smallmouth bass, and big ones at
that. The state-record smallmouth bass -- a fish weighing 7
pounds, 2 ounces
Fishing on Chatuge is no different from fishing any other
highland lake. Just think deep and light. The clear waters
of this reservoir are no place for pool-cue-stiff rods,
well-rope monofilament, and drags snugged down with pliers.
Light tackle and finesse-type lures put the most fish in the
boat.
To catch Chatuge spotted bass, target main-river shorelines
and points in 10 to 25 feet of water. A rocky bank is best,
and if stumps or brush are present, that's all the better.
From the U.S. Highway 76 bridge north to the dam is the best
part of the lake in which to find this type of habitat. The
Bell Creek arm, midway up on the east side of the lake, is
also a good place in which to find spotted bass.
Georgia and North Carolina have a reciprocal agreement
allowing license holders from either state to fish by boat
on the entire lake and all its tributaries reachable by
boat.
LAKE NOTTELY
Lake Nottely is a 4,180-acre TVA reservoir near Blairsville.
Following along the history of Chatuge, spotted bass and
blue back herring are introduced species in this reservoir.
When the spots came, the small mouths went. Things have
progressed to a point where spotted bass make up about 75
percent of the catch, with largemouths coming in second, and
the native small mouths an almost nonexistent third place.
LAKE ALLATOONA
Lake Allatoona, formerly and unfairly known as "The Dead
Sea," may be the easiest place in which to catch spotted
bass in Georgia. The lake is slam full of them.
Allatoona Dam was completed in 1950 by the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, and the lake's 12,010 acres lie just 30 miles
northwest of Atlanta. Allatoona's depths reach to 145 feet.
The lake's bottom is about as featureless as the surface of
the moon.
CARTERS LAKE
Having escaped private development, the Carters Lake
shoreline is one of the most rustic in Georgia. The lake is
challenging to fish, but pays dividends in catches of magnum
spotted bass amid undisturbed panoramas.
Since Carters Lake has a pumped-storage operation, the lake
is in a constant state of flux. Whether the best fishing
comes on falling water during generation or rising water
during pump back is a matter of opinion.
Another way to get your bait in the water in areas of good
fish-holding structure is to look for the hazard markers.
These shallow points and humps that could be a hazard to
navigation are marked on the lake and also mark good fishing
holes. Start shallow and then work your way out until you
find the magic depth for the day.
A good backup plan may be to target the ends of downed trees
on deep banks. Finding these areas shouldn't be hard. The
Carters Lake area has suffered extensive pine beetle damage,
so forest and fish management have intersected to make the
best of the situation. Many of the damaged pines have been
dropped into the water to increase fish habitat.
Early in the day, don't overlook fishing a trick worm around
and through the trees. This can be one of the most exciting
ways to experience Carters Lake's hard-charging spotted
bass.
Carters Lake is just east of the intersection of U.S.
Highway 411 and State Route 136 south of Chatsworth. There
are several well-maintained boat ramps to choose from.
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