February Forecast

[Cody Smith]

February Forecast 2008: Current Lake Level 458.65, Current Water Temps: 36 - 42 Degrees

February marks the pre-spawn period for our beloved and world famous Walleye located here in our great reservoir. It also kicks off the Greers Ferry Lake World Walleye Classic, with great times to be had by everyone. Mother Nature will dictate from here on into the Summer month's on where, when and how you should be targeting fish. All hunting season's are long gone with the exception of a few nuisance snow geese and late archery for deer. This means added pressure on our fish and reservoir. We are now in a pattern of warming temperatures and southerly winds filtering back in warmer rains. This will translate into warmer water temps and more current in our reservoir, this time of the year usher's in some of the best fishing to be had by all! February is still early for most of the species, but if we get a week of warmer temps and the water starts to warm into the mid to upper 40's get on the water. The fish will be feeding up for there spawn and looking for an easy meal. Anglers should be targeting water that warms quickly, usually located on South facing Banks and bends with structure which conducts heat into the water. It's amazing to see water temps differ so drastically by the location on the water. Bass will be positioning themselves in relatively deep water adjacent to shallow bars, humps and chunk rock piles which will warm the quickest and provide easy feeding opportunities. With artificial's in mind, I suggest a mid sized representation of a crawfish in green's (watermelon and pumpkin seed) fished around and on top of structure for best result's. Most all types of Jig and chunk combo's in the 1/8 - 3/16 oz. Range will produce best. Remember this time of year your crawfish are going to be almost translucent, not the orange and opaques of the fall, time to shift colors. Crappie will be day to day with warmer windy days being best, target the pole timber and keep the same winter pattern going, catch a couple and keep on moving for best results until the water temps get to the upper 50's. Minnows are going to be your best bet fished on 1/16 or 1/32 oz. Jig Heads. Use your electronics to locate suspended fish and be patient to pick up one or two. The Hill Creek area will be a good place to start your search. Catfish have been extremely difficult to catch but will improve as the days get longer and should make a big push towards the end of the month on into March. Now, for the EYES! They are going to be tuff for the first part of this month but will be more active towards the latter, the weather will dictate there every move. The largest concentration's are moving up the lake or into main arms feeding occasionally readying themselves for the spawn, 52 Degrees marks the beginning. When water temps hit 45 - 47 degrees you will see a big improvement on the bite in 15 - 22 feet of water. All of the males will move into the spawning ground s first and wait on the big females to follow behind them. Once this happens you should be boating at least 1 or 2 keeper fish per hour. Remember we have a slot limit put in place by AGFC, 20" - 28" is no good, fun to catch but put'em back to insure we have a sustainable population for the future in our reservoir. LIVE bait can not be beat when seeking out our toothy friend. Large minnow's are going to produce best when presented on a 1/8 or 1/16 oz. Jig head fished on light fluorocarbon line. Once the water temps hit 60 degrees, well will discuss this in the forecast for March! Until then, Be safe on the water and take a kid fishing~

E-mail me for an up to date report on the Little Red River and the tactics that are boating 100 fish a day!

Cody S. Smith,

Trout Troller Guide Service,

smittyc888@hotmail.com

Full and Half day trips are available for The Little Red River or Greers Ferry