Robert Eidson’s Lake Allatoona Fishing Guide Report is provided by First Bite Guide Service of Lake Allatoona. Contact Robert at 770-827-6282 or by e-mail at [email protected] when you’re ready to catch stripers and hybrids.

Fishing is very good.  The fish are biting well.  We have been catching 15 to 30 fish on most trips. This time last year, big shad kills had almost shut down the fishing.

The north end of the lake has been so muddy that it hasn’t been worth fishing. Likewise, the south end — from Bethany Bridge to Tanyard — hasn’t been worth fishing either. Most of the fish are mid-lake, from Duck Hole down to the dam. There are a few fish being caught from Duck Hole to Harbortown, but the highest concentrations of fish are from Galts Ferry to Clear Creek. There are huge schools of fish and tons of boats in the 1/2-mile stretch at Bartow Carver.

The last two weeks have almost been like a late-summer bite, in that downlines are the deal. The fish are anywhere from 25 to 50 feet deep. I suggest starting the morning with downlines at about 32 feet, then adjusting as you figure out where the fish are.

Medium shiners and shad are working equally well as bait, with trout running a close third. Spoons are also a good option, if the fish appear to be sitting near the bottom. A 1/4-oz. to 1/2-oz. chartreuse Flex-It will get gobbled as quickly as live bait, if the fish are on the bottom. An umbrella rig will also catch a few fish, but fish won’t hit it in muddy water. Find the cleanest water available where you’re still marking fish before you pull a U-rig, especially mid-lake.

Catch some fish with me! Call 770-827-6282 to book a trip with First Bite Guide Service.