HOW THEY’RE BITIN’: Southwest Georgia fishing – February 11, 2017 weekend

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

LAKE SEMINOLE ( * ) – Bass fishing is good. The fish are “back and forth” with the fluctuating temperatures, but are in general in a definite prespawn mode. Fish grass flats with shallow to medium-running crankbaits over sandy bottoms if possible. Seek sandbars near deeper water and fish these spots with Carolina-rigged 6-inche worms. Bass should be on the move all over the lake soon. Crappies are good. Both minnows and jigs are paying off. Jig-fishing will improve markedly as the approaching spring weather warms consistently. Bream, catfish and other species are still relatively inactive. (half fish)

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE ( * * ) – Bass are reported as slow. Fish right now seem to be in the late-winter doldrums. All presentations used in bass fishing right now must be employed very slowly. Slow-rolling spinnerbaits in submerged wood structure is a good strategy at present. Also recommended are jigs, spoons and slowly fished soft-plastic baits. Wood structure up the creeks seems the best target area now. The hybrids are still on the deeper ledges, but for now are suspended and slow to bite. Crappies remain deep and have slowed down. For now, continue fishing minnows and tipped jigs around deep structure. Shallow up as the water warms. Bream and catfish remain very slow for now. (one-quarter fish)

FLINT RIVER ( * * ) — Shoal bass activity should be on the upswing during the next week or two. Largemouths will likely become more active as well. When the water warms and remains warmer for a few days, fish shallow crankbaits and grubs in the swift water for shoalies and try Texas-rigs near the banks for largemouths. Catfish are slow and crappies will remain deep for awhile, but should come up and get active soon. Crappie size remains good. Bream are still slow and should remain so until the onset of consistently warm weather. (half fish)

LAKE BLACKSHEAR ( * ) — Bass fishing can be fair to good. Carolina-rigs and drop-shot rigs are producing a few good deep-water largemouths for the patient angler. Continue to anticipate a consistent warm-up and look for bass to shallow up around docks and trees soon. Crappies remain deep on channel ledges and some are still suspended near the creek mouths. Fish them slowly and with great finesse with jigs. Watch closely for large spawning concentrations to appear very soon. Catfish, bream, and striped bass schools continue to await a consistent warming period before becoming active. (half fish)