Greers Ferry Fishing Report 3/17/09

[Cody Smith]

Greers Ferry is currently at 461.8 feet above msl. Water temps and clarity are different all over the reservoir. The main South Basin,from the Narrows to Peter Creek, surface temps are hovering around 49 degrees. while in the northern portion surface temperatures are holding around 50.2 - 51 degrees. The farther you go up the arms the warmer the water, temps are peaking around 54 degrees. This is good news for our reservoir. Bait fish are pushing up the arms with all species following them close; We have caught catfish, black's, spot's, smallies, white's, drum, along with a few scattered eyes.

We are still a few weeks away from the major push of the whites and hybrids. By the end of this week we should start to see water temps really climbing into the low to mid 50's lake wide. While searching for our white bass and hybrids concentrate your efforts half to two thirds of the way back in main and minor creek arms targeting areas with rock/wood, sand/gravel flats, channel swings and chunk rock location's. It seems you must have at least two of these types of structure to hold fish for any amount of time. Small in-line spinners, crankbait's, rooster tails and by far the very best bite will be on lead head jigs with 3" Action Bait Grubs in white, chartreuse, yellow, and purple colors will produce the best action. Right now there are a very limited amount willing to participate up the main tributaries. Most of the actively feeding fish are still hanging in 16 - 20 feet of water in standing timber flats.

Our Bronze Backs are really just starting to push into pre spawn location's adjacent to deeper water. Look for gravel or small rock 45 degree banks that are on the North/ north east side, these areas will be slightly warmer from the amount of sun they recieve during the day. With high sky's and brighter condition's forecasted out during the coming days use Light Jigs and Finesse tactics to entice these fish to participate. Finesse tactics will simply clean an area and you will catch more fish if you slow down and thoroughly cover the water once fish are located. The smallies will be in full spawn mode once we see water temps at 58 degrees over a consistant amount of time. Some of our smallies will be spawning on our next full moon which occurs the 9th of April.

The kentuckies and largemouth's are feeding actively throughout the day while holding tight to cover during bright condition's. I have caught these fish in as little as 3 feet of water and as deep as 40 feet within the last week with the bulk of the fish staging in 8 - 12 feet. Everyday the bite is getting betterwith more and more fish moving shallower. Jerkbait's, Cranks, Shakey Heads, Spinnerbait's and c-rigs are producing fish with the larger fish still in the 12 - 16 foot range in transition areas with deeper water extremely close by.

Some of the very best fishing of the year on Greers Ferry is right around the corner. As normal April will surely be the best month to be on the water. Please feel free to contact me to set a date or if you have any question's regarding our area. See ya on the water<;><

[donaldlg]

Thanks for the report, hope to get down there soon.

donaldlg

[jonboatwilly]

I found some largemouth and kentuckies doing the exact same thing as above ie...8-12 feet near channels and caught em' on finesse worms. Thinking about maybe trying to catch a mess of crappie this coming Sat. Any suggestions Cody???? BTW thanks for the consistent reports every so often. It's always nice to kinda know whats going on.

Jonboat

[Cody Smith]

I've been chasing slabs the last couple of days.... Marginal to good success. 18 feet of water (fish are holding about 10 feet deep in the column) on channel swings next to points with timber. 1/8 oz. jig's with 2" tubes in all the standard colors. Just about every point where the channel swings in is holding crappie at these depths~ Good Luck and let me know how you do, I'll be out there slab hunting again tom.!!