HOW THEY’RE BITIN’: Southwest Georgia fishing – May 16, 2015 weekend

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

(The recent cold snap may or may not adversely affect area fishing. Resulting effects will greatly depend upon cold-weather longevity.)

LAKE SEMINOLE ( * * ): Bass are very good. Topwater fishing is producing. Fish grasslines where shad are present. Later in the day, try soft jerkbaits in the same grass. Fish slowly as the daytime temperature increases. Crappies are fair. Fish for them in moderately deep water off the channels with live minnows. Bream remain active, especially early and late in the day. Hybrids are fair late in the afternoon and catfish are slow. (three-quarter fish)

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE ( * * ): Bass fishing is good. Fish spinnerbaits in grassy areas near schools of shad. Spinnerbaits and medium-running crankbaits are good around rip-rap. Late in the day, move to the channel drops and brushpiles. Flipping wood cover is another good technique. Crappies are fair to good in spots. Try minnows and jigs near creek mouths and bridge pilings. Bream are being caught on crickets and there are reports of some pretty good bluegills. Hybrids may school late in the day and catfish are fair. (half fish)

FLINT RIVER ( * ): Hot weather bodes well for flathead catfish to become active soon. Shoal bass are becoming active as well. Fish for them in current with topwater baits, small spinnerbaits, or shallow crankbaits. Largemouths are a bit on the slow side, but will bite fairly well in spots late in the day. Crappies are slow, while bream are active and being caught in pretty good numbers by drift-fishermen. (three-quarter fish)

LAKE BLACKSHEAR ( * ): Bass are good overall. Post-spawn fish will take lightly weighted or weightless worms in the shallow cypress trees. Topwater fishing is fair early in the day. Bream are good near grassy areas. Try shellcrackers with pond worms and bluegills with crickets. Crappies are fair. Numbers are down, but individual sizes are good. Both minnows and jigs are working quite well now. (half fish)