I spent a bit over the previous week now concentrating on white bass within the Upper Coosa River. Now that spring is in full swing right here in north Georgia the white bass are migrating upriver to their spawning grounds. This fishing occasion solely lasts a few months each spring and has anglers popping out in numbers to the Lock and Dam right here on the higher Coosa. After a chilly winter, individuals are eager to get right into a scorching chew of white bass and take residence a bag of fillets on the finish of the day.
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The Coosa River up right here is fed by two rivers, the Oostanaula River and the Etowah River, they converge in Downtown Rome to kind the Coosa. These rivers have their circulate managed by hydroelectric dams that launch water each time energy technology is required or simply to decrease the water stage of their reservoirs. This makes for the extent of the Coosa to fluctuate an incredible deal, generally going up and down 5+ ft in a couple of hours. So although I used to be fishing the identical a part of the river for the week, the place the fish have been holding and the way they have been biting modified day after day. For the week I fishing a 7ft St. Croix Trout Series Spinning Rod with a small Daiwa spinning reel spooled up with 6lb take a look at braid. Using a double jig-rig tipped with some tender plastic crappie baits, fished with or with out a bobber relying on the circumstances
Early on within the week, the climate circumstances have been a bit cooler, a entrance had pushed by with some rain the night time earlier than. The river was greater and fairly muddy with the water being launched upstream. The chew was fairly constant on a double jig rig fished underneath a bobber although. For the white bass nothing of actually good dimension was being caught although for the primary couple of days. Though crappie have been being caught in first rate numbers as a really welcome bycatch.
However, simply after a few chilly days, the climate warmed up, with some days simply reaching up into the 70s and 80s. These days the circulate price of the river was dropped an excellent deal, with readability beginning to get a bit higher. Still a bit turbid however now extra inexperienced than muddy than the times earlier than. With the water stage dropping the brand new spots on the lock had fashioned some eddies that have been holding a greater grade of white bass. Right close to the entrance of the lock on the riverside, there may be an eddy that kinds when the water stage is good. Dropping my jigs into that eddy and hopping them on the underside produced somewhat persistently but additionally price me a number of jigs to the snags on this gap. Once the chew slowed down although I went over to a small creek mouth close to the lock hoping that the bass may be stacked there positioning to maneuver up the creek to spawn. Instead, I used to be greeted by some small crappie although.
Now after having to be away for a couple of days for an occasion, I lastly obtained again to the river. This time the river was again up an excellent bit with there had been some rain the day earlier than, which was the day to be there. Most anybody who was fishing the day earlier than had restricted out. But as we speak it had slowed down some once more, however the fish have been getting a bit greater. I had gotten right here later than I had deliberate and missed a lot of the morning chew however managed to get a few good white bass. I missed a number of strikes as effectively, when lastly proper earlier than I used to be about to name it a day I caught a pleasant little striped bass, which gave me an excellent run for my cash on the little St. Croix trout setup. Not needing a ton of fish for dinner, I saved the 2 white bass and gave the striper away to somebody who needed it and referred to as it a day.
I took the 2 white bass over to the cleansing station the Lock and Dam park has arrange close to the highest finish of the lock and obtained to filleting them up. Those two fish had loads of meat to make for a pleasant fish dinner for 2 that night time. I undoubtedly suggest for anglers to come back and check out their hand at fishing for whitebass. If you’ve gotten buddies who’re new to fishing or children which are eager to study carry them and check out. This is a reasonably simple fishery that doesn’t want a whole lot of fancy sort out to get into. Just as a result of I used to be utilizing a my nicer trout rod doesn’t imply you must, a Zebco Dock Demon shall be loads to get the job carried out right here if that’s all you bought. Just bear in mind in the event you do plan to go, go quickly these guys in all probability will solely be round until the tip of April. So in the event you miss them you’ll have to attend until subsequent yr to get one other shot.
