HOW THEY’RE BITIN’: Southwest Georgia fishing – May 23, 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 fishing is excellent. Topwater fishing has really turned on. Seek out grass mats that are near the surface and target the lily pad patches for good topwater action. Mayfly hatches near the bank are also good target areas. Other good bets are grassy points on the main lake. Here, fish Texas-rig worms. Crappies are slow and at present are generating few positive reports. Bream are active and biting well on worms and crickets. Fly fishermen report good action around the mayfly hatches. Catfish are good, particularly on stinkbaits. (half fish)

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE ( * * ): Bass fishing is good. Early morning fish are actively hitting topwater baits in the stained shallow water upriver. Target areas with heavy grass or willow bushes. Later in the day, follow the fish to the shady banks and use a Texas-rigged trick worm. Crappies are fair to good in spots. Fish around deep structures such as bridge pilings. Minnows and jigs work reasonably well for these fish. Bream are quite active. Many smaller fish are being taken on crickets and there are some reports of some pretty good bluegills. 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 ( * ): 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)