November 2

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.73 (full pool is 475.00) and the turnover is pretty much finished. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped several degrees into the mid-60s.

There’s at least one guide we talk to who loves the cold weather, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that if it could stay this temperature all year he would be happy. Not us! Unsurprisingly, he has figured out how to make the bass bite in these conditions, and today Jerry’s boat got a limit of spots fishing off the end of main lake points in 20-30 feet of water. They were mostly fishing vertically with live bait, but what was most noticeable was how the fish were bunching up. Jerry thinks the bite is about to get really good.

  

But it’s a different story in the creeks, and Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that – fishing the last two days – they have found a much worse bite since it got cold. He’s surprised by how much the front has affected the fishing, as generally fall fronts don’t curtail the bite the way that a March or April front might do. Perhaps it’s a location thing, and they are still marking good groups of fish. They were just biting short or not eating. 

Neither guide has been on the striped bass in the past few days, although first thing Jerry has seen a few breaking the surface chasing shad.  

For both guides the crappie fishing continues to be really tough, and after the cold front Wendell says they have only picked up one or two randomly and aren’t even marking them. It seems like the crappie have gone deeper. 

And while nobody has been targeting the catfish, Jerry believes they are off the same points as the bass. To catch them fish cut herring on the bottom. 

October 26

Lake Russell water levels are up to 475.11 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is still turning over but bubbling less than a week or two ago. Morning surface water temperatures are around 68 degrees, rising to 70-71 by the end of the day.   

The bass bite is still pretty good on Lake Russell, but Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that one group of fish seems to be moving deeper. He is catching those fish on points and flats and in 20-30 feet of water, both in the main lake and in the creeks. 

At the same time the best bass action Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) has found has been halfway up the creeks, and when they find the fish they seem to be ganged up in pretty tight groups. Sometimes they are in 14-17 feet, but at times they are finding them as shallow as 7 or 8 feet. Fish are highly related to bait schools, and even when they find them around structure such as a point there has always been bait there. 

Drop shots and live bait are both working, and at times there has even been some schooling action. They hooked two big striped bass when the bass were schooling in a creek this week. 

That’s consistent with the report from Jerry that he is finding the striped and hybrids very spread out, which is common at this time of year when water temperatures are mild. He did manage one big hybrid while bass fishing on the main lake. 

The crappie fishing is still pretty tough, and Luke reports that they are still marking a few in the backs of creeks where they were catching them but more of the fish seem to have moved. They appear to be heading out towards the front half of creeks or main lake coves and getting on brush in those areas. 

Jerry’s boat is still picking up some catfish while bass fishing, but if he were to target them he would fish cut herring on flats in 15-25 feet in both the main lake and creeks. If those didn’t produce he would get into the pockets and coves. 

October 19

Lake Russell water levels are at 473.29 (full pool is 475.00) and the turnover appears to be nearing completion although the whole lake is still pretty brown. Morning surface water temperatures are around 70-71 degrees.   

The bass bite is finally picking up on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that they are catching more fish this week. Some of them are as shallow as 5-10 feet, while another group of fish is in 15-20 feet. They are on flats, points, and around brush, with about equal numbers on the main lake and in the creeks. Shakey heads and live bait are both working. 

At the same time, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) also reports a significantly improved bass bite. They are fishing around timber in the creeks in 14-18 feet of water and catching 95% spotted bass on drop shot rigs. Interestingly, a few days earlier they were catching tons of crappie in the same areas but the spots seem to have completely run them off – or the crappie just decided to leave. 

Jerry is now finding a very slow crappie bite, and even when he marks them on brush (usually about 8 feet down over 20 feet mid-way back in creeks) he will catch one and then they will disappear. For some reason it seems the crappie are moving around a lot right now. 

At the same time the hybrid and striped bass bite is still pretty good, and Jerry reports that they are catching some nice ones fishing 15-20 feet down over trees in 40-50 feet. From what he is seeing the fish are really starting to scatter out. 

Wendell has also picked up some big fish up to about 36 inches on the lower end over deep water, but agrees they are scattering.  

Jerry’s boat has picked up some catfish while bass fishing, but if he were to target them he would fish cut herring on flats in 15-25 feet in both the main lake and creeks. If those didn’t produce he would get into the pockets and coves. 

October 5

Lake Russell water levels are down to 473.36 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is generally normal although the lake is turning over. Morning surface water temperatures are stable in the mid-70s. 

The best bite on Lake Russell is still for striped bass, and Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are still catching fish on the lower end about 30 feet down suspended around bait. They are mostly over clean bottoms in over 100 feet of water, and down-lined herring are working the best. They have not seen any schooling activity at all.

While Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860)  agrees it’s the best thing going, from what he is seeing the numbers on the lower end are just starting to drop off. However, he is still catching several good ones in the 10-16 pound range on each trip. 

Even though they are biting a bit better at times, Jerry reports that the bass are still not good. Now he thinks it’s the turnover that’s slowing the bite, and in the creeks the water is clearly bubbling up.  Fish are mostly on brush in 15-20 feet of water, and in the creeks they are finding the most catchable fish. While they are on similar cover in the main lake, even fishing with live bait the bass will run up to it, look, sometimes kill it but rarely eat it. The same thing happens about this time every year.  

Luke reports that the best bass fishing comes when fish are visibly active, and in 15-25 feet of water in the creeks they will sometimes see fish swirling at bait.  Then they will take a variety of baits including swimbaits and Rattle Traps.  

Unfortunately the crappie fishing has really deteriorated as the lake turns over, and both Jerry and Luke report the action has been at best hit-or-miss. They are still marking plenty of fish in the backs of creeks in 12-14 feet of water, sometimes on brush and at other times just related to bait, but getting them to bite has gotten difficult. They don’t seem to want minnows or jigs, and yesterday Jerry could only catch two before he had to change species. 

September 28

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.90 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is generally normal. However, the lake is starting to turn over in certain areas where the water looks a little brown. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid-70s. 

For the first time in a while yesterday the water temperatures never made it above 80 degrees, and Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they can already see some improvements in the bass fishing. The fish they are finding are in the creeks, and they are about midway back chasing threadfin shad. They are seeing fishing swirling and sometimes schooling in these areas, while others are just suspended at mid-depths in about 15-25 feet. They will take a variety of baits that imitate shad including swimbaits.

There are also some fish still on brush that seem to be biting a bit better than last week, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that he is catching some spotted bass on the bottom in 20 or 24 feet around brush. Soft plastics, spoons and of course live bait are all working. 

But the biggest change this week seems to be with the crappie, and Wendell reports that Tuesday they caught about 40 fish in pretty short order fishing in the backs of two major creeks. The fish are in the same areas as the spotted bass, but you have to go back further and find water about 12-14 feet deep.  They caught fish off two brush piles, but they also found fish just in open water right off the bottom around bait. While Wendell feels confident they could have caught some fish long-line trolling, they were just drop-shotting minnows. 

The striped bass action has been pretty strong and the fish haven’t moved at all, and Jerry reports that in the middle and lower lake they are finding them 25-30 feet deep over tree tops. They are not schooling yet and everything is coming on down-lines.  Jerry still isn’t catching catfish mixed in with the striper, and so it seems likely that less of them are suspending. If he were to target them Jerry says he would head for the center of deeper coves or large flats and put out cut herring. 

Finally, it’s starting to be time to catch the best-eating fish on Lake Russell. Guide Luke Wilson reports that yesterday they caught a really big yellow perch, one of the first of the season, and so hopefully they are starting to show up now as they always do at some point in the fall and winter!

September 21

Lake Russell water levels are above full around 475.25 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the low 80s. 

If you were hoping for change with the bass fishing you’ve come to the wrong place, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that this has been the worst season for bass fishing he can remember on Russell. The catchable fish are still in 15-20 feet of water around brush off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will hesitantly take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. They are also still seeing a lot of bass suspended out over deeper water, but these fish are moving a lot and not eating well.

At the same time Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are seeing more groups of spotted bass roaming in 10-20 feet of water, generally in wolf packs of 4-5 fish. They can be anywhere from the bottom to two feet below the surface, and they seem to be randomly following bait. Points are the best places to look for them. They also aren’t feeding very well and minnows on drop shot rigs have been the best way to target them. 

Fortunately the striped bass action has been pretty strong, and Jerry reports that in the middle and lower lake they are finding them 25-30 feet deep over tree tops. They are not schooling yet and everything is coming on down-lines.

Luke is fishing a similar pattern, fishing 30 feet deep over as much as 120, and they have managed to get into a few monsters. The best this week was a 22- or 23-pound fish. 

Unfortunately the crappie fishing has really slowed down, but they are still marking fish up the creeks around brush in 15-25 feet.   

The catfish have moved, and Jerry reports he is no longer catching them suspended out with the bass and striper in deep water.  Instead he is picking up some on the bottom around the brush where he is catching bass on live bait. 
If he were to target them Jerry says he would head for the center of deeper coves or large flats and put out cut herring.

September 7

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around full (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures dropped into the low 80s but have rebounded to about 83-85. 

We’ll start elsewhere because the bass fishing seems to be stuck in neutral, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the  striped bass action is still pretty good. They are catching fish suspended 30-40 feet deep over timber in 50-60 feet of water on the lower end, and they are also picking up 7 or 8 catfisheach trip over the trees. The cats are there because the bait is suspended, but there are also some on the bottom in 60 feet when you can get to them.   

Everything is coming on down-lined herring. 

In the same areas Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) is also finding a fair number of 8-10 pound striper, and while most of the bites have come around 30 feet they did catch one at 60 over about 100 feet. They are also picking up catfish. 

It’s the same old story with the bass, and Jerry reports that the fish are still all around 15-20 feet down suspended over trees (and difficult to target, because they are moving so much) or around brush. The more accessible brush fish are off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

The crappie bite is about the same, and Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas where the water is somewhat stained about halfway up the creeks.  It’s not spring fishing but you can still catch 25-30 on a trip, with numerous fish over a pound.  

The crappie are now in 15-25 feet of water, and they have moved about ¾ of the way to the bottom. Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

While catfish should move shallower when temperatures cool, for now they are either catching the fish mentioned above suspended or on the bottom around brush in 15-20 feet while bass fishing. 

August 24

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 80s. 

Even though the bass fishing doesn’t look like it’s ever going to get into a strong summer pattern, Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that the striped bass action has come on pretty well recently. They are catching fish on the lower end over deep timber in 50-60 feet around bait schools, and most of the action is coming with down-rods fished about 30-35 feet down.  While the numbers are never amazing on Russell they have had some really good fish lately. 

While he hasn’t fished there this week, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) adds that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. 

But as noted the bass fishing is still slow, and Jerry reports that this is the worst year he has ever seen for fish staying suspended. He’s not sure why they won’t get on the bottom. The “deep” fish are still only about 15-20 feet down, and they are moving so fast it’s hard to catch many. The bait is at a similar depth. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

While the crappie bite has slowed down just a little in the late summer heat, Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas where the water is somewhat stained about halfway up the creeks. The fish are now in 12-23 feet of water, and they have moved about ¾ of the way to the bottom. While they are still getting some good fish over a pound they are having to work for them, and they are generally only catching 2-3 fish off each spots. 

Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

Jerry’s boat is picking up a few catfish while targeting other species, including a 25-pound flathead last week, but the best way to target cats is to fish over deep humps in about 20-30 feet of water. Cut herring will work.  

August 17

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is normal. Morning surface water temperatures are still in the upper 80s. 

At this point it seems to be getting clear that the bass are never moving into their normal summer patterns, and Guide Jerry Kotal with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that this is the worst year he has ever seen for fish staying suspended. He’s not sure why they won’t get on the bottom. The “deep” fish are still only about 15-20 feet down, and they are moving so fast it’s hard to catch many. The bait is at a similar depth. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. These fish will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite.

It doesn’t seem to be a water quality issue because they have been catching some striped bass in deep water, and he has actually caught some fish on the bottom in the lower lake about 50 feet deep. The fish are related to bait schools and herring on down-rods are the best way to catch them. 

While he hasn’t fished there this week, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) adds that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. 

There’s still a surprisingly good bite for crappie, and Wendell reports that they are still catching fish in natural timber areas about halfway up the creeks. The fish are only in 12-20 feet of water, and they are about halfway down. The water is stained but not muddy. 

Minnows are working the best, and the bite is better early. 

Jerry’s boat is picking up a few catfish while targeting other species, including a 25-pound flathead, but the best way to target cats is to fish over deep humps in about 20-30 feet of water. Cut herring will work.  

August 3

Lake Russell water levels are bouncing around 474.6 before today’s rains (full pool is 475.00) and the lake has been clear. Morning surface water temperatures are 88-90 degrees!

The bass still aren’t behaving like they are “supposed to”, and Jerry with Jerry Kotal’s Fishing Guide Service (706-988-0860) reports that usually they should be catching 40-50 fish per trip fishing in deep water during the heat of the summer. But this year the offshore fish are not holding well, and they are suspended and moving so fast that it’s only possible to catch a few before you lose the school. 

The better bass bite has still been around brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. However, again they are seeing a lot of fish that won’t bite. 

At the same time the striped bass bite has been pretty good, and even though it’s been a little hard to predict which days the fish are going to bite better and which days are going to be slower they are catching quality fish on each trip. Jerry’s best pattern has been fishing on the lower end with herring on down-rods about 25-30 feet down over trees. There is bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just in known areas where they usually catch them. 

On the other end of the lake, Guide Wendell Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) points out that striper can also be caught below the Hartwell dam pulling free-lines. However, the action has not been great recently. 

Despite the heat the best action may actually be for crappie, and Wendell reports that despite some ridiculous 93-degree surface temperatures they are still catching nice crappie in about 12 feet of water halfway up the creeks. They found the fish on natural timber in May, and they still haven’t left. The water is a bit stained which may explain why the fish are staying in these areas, but they are getting 3-4 good ones on each spot in the heat of the day.  The action is better at daylight. 

There are also plenty of crappie and white perch in coves off the main channel that are holding in 14-20 feet of water. Sometimes they are around brush and sometimes they are not. Everywhere they are fishing minnows for crappie right now. 

July 27

Lake Russell water levels are around 474.4 (full pool is 475.00) and the lake is very clear. Morning surface water temperatures are in the upper 80s. 

Even though the action is a little hit-or-miss they are still catching striped bass bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860) reports that he is finding them about 25-30 feet down over trees in 60-70 feet on the lower end. There is certainly bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just known areas where they usually catch them. 

Jerry points out that there may well be striper on the bottom in the same areas, and in fact almost certainly are, but in the timber they are just unfishable.

While the bass should be getting out there with the striper, Jerry reports that he is still catching more fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. The fish that have moved deeper don’t seem to want to bite, but there are some perch out there that will eat. 

Speaking of perch, Guide Luke Wilson with Wilson’s Guide Service (706-283-3336) reports that they are also finding the spotted bass a little tough but catching lots of white perch in 17-25 feet on the bottom in main lake coves.  Minnows are working. 

At the same time, while the two will occasionally mix together, in general the crappie are more likely to be in the creeks. They can be found about halfway back in 15-20 feet of water over brush, and they have had some nice catches on minnows recently. 

July 13

Lake Russell water levels are at 474.00 (full pool is 475.00) and clarity is back to normal – very high on the main lake. Morning surface water temperatures are about 87 degrees. 

It’s a vastly improved striped bass bite on Lake Russell, and Guide Wendell Wilson (706-283-3336) reports that they’ve been catching striper on the lower end of the lake. They are mostly suspended about 30 feet down, and they are catching them on live herring. 

That’s consistent with the report from Guide Jerry Kotal (706-988-0860), who is finding them about 25-30 feet down over trees in 60-70 feet on the lower end. There is certainly bait in the vicinity but they aren’t really related to anything in particular – just known areas where they usually catch them. 

Jerry points out that there may well be striper on the bottom in the same areas, and in fact almost certainly are, but in the timber they are just unfishable.

The bass are finally starting to transition deeper, and while Jerry is still catching fish on brush in 15-20 feet of water off points and in coves in the main lake and the creeks, he is starting to find more bass out in the same areas as the striper suspending over timber in deep water. They will take live bait, spoons, and drop shot rigs. There should also be a shallow bite for bass around bream with a worm and a crankbait, but he just hasn’t done it recently.

There has also been a pretty good bite for a mixed bag of white perch, a surprising number of yellow perch (which usually disappear outside the winter), and crappie.   These can be found throughout the lake in about 15-25 feet of water. Sometimes they are around bait, but usually they are just looking for schools of fish. They aren’t really related to any structure in particular, although around brush you will find more crappie. 

While the best way to target catfish is with cut herring fished on the bottom in the center of coves in 15-25 feet, they are also picking up some good ones suspended with the bass and striper over trees. 

Wendell points out that for pretty much everything early is better – and more pleasant.