HOW THEYRE BITIN: Southwest Georgia fishing – Jan. 2, 2015 weekend

THE FISHING LINE: ( * ) – poor; ( * * ) – fair; ( * * * ) – good; ( * * * * ) – excellent.

LAKE SEMINOLE ( * * ): Bass fishing has slowed considerably. Fish are deep and holding along creek bends. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits may produce some fish as the weather warms. The most active fish at that time will be in the sloughs and backwaters. When spinnerbait fishing, slow the bait down when it hits cover. On points, try jig-and-pig combos. Crappies remain very good at various depths as they move back and forth with fluctuating water temperatures. Minnows are producing well. Bream fishing remains slow. Catfish are slow overall. (one-quarter fish)

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE ( * * ): Bass are slow and few are being caught. Crankbaits in shad and crayfish patterns may occasionally pay off on main-lake points. Schooling bass are providing the most action. Try jigging spoons on the river ledges and use finesse worms, spoons and jigs in standing timber. Creek mouths may produce some fair worm fishing. A fair hybrid and white bass bite continues up the creeks. Use Rat-L-Traps and other lip-less crankbaits. Deep-water crappies are fair along the creek channels. Bream and catfish remain very slow for now. (one-quarter fish)

FLINT RIVER ( * ): The occasional shoal bass may be taken now. Fish small, pumpkinseed, motor oil, or craw-colored Carolina-rig softbaits in deeper pools at the foot of shoals for the best results. Largemouths are very slow. Bream are slow as well, and catfish are the same. Crappies can be fair, though the bite is often slow. It is largely a matter of random luck when any large, active concentration of fish is found. Individual fish, however, are pretty good in size. Use live minnows for best results. (one-quarter fish)

LAKE BLACKSHEAR ( * ): Bass are fair. Early in the morning fish small worms rigged Texas style. Later in the day, seek out warm-water areas around rocky structure. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and worms can pay off there. Crappies are fair. Like elsewhere, they are deep. Structure and depth are the key. Look to river and creek channels and concentrate on deep structure very near channel edges. Jigs or minnows work well and jigs should be fished very slowly. Other species besides bass and crappies are very slow. (one-quarter fish)