HOW THEY’RE BITIN’: Southwest Georgia fishing – March 4, 2017 weekend

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

LAKE SEMINOLE ( * ) – Bass fishing is good. Bedding activity continues to increase and sight-fishing in shallow water works well. Another good method is jerkbait fishing on relatively light line. Fish the bait quickly and move it erratically, stopping to pause intermittently. This is an especially good technique for fish not yet “hard” on the beds. Crappies are reportedly spawning in lily pad patches and other aquatic vegetation. They will bite minnows when located. Shellcrackers are active and periodic bedding is taking place. Red wigglers fished on the bottom is a good bet. Warmer weather has catfish active as well. (half fish)

LAKE WALTER F. GEORGE ( * * ) – The recent warm-up has improved the bass fishing. Creek points and channel ledges on the main lake can produce well. Slow-moving baits are recommended. Texas-rig lizards and worms do well around creek mouths and in coves. Carolina-rigs pay off along the ledges. Continued warmth should move largemouths into shallow grass soon. Crappies are in pre-spawn mode. Schools will be breaking up and remnant fish will seek shallower water. Try minnows, jigs and spinners near banks. Catfish are slow, but picking up. Bream are beginning to show some positive signs. (half fish)

FLINT RIVER ( * * ) — Stripers and hybrids are active in and around dam tailwaters. Shoal bass are moderately active, but numbers are low. Flathead and channel catfishing is picking up, especially near the dams. Night fishing for cats is a good option. Largemouths are doing well, primarily in the Lake Chehaw area. Bream are slow to fair, but are getting into active pre-spawn mode. The Flint is producing quality crappies in moderate numbers at present. (half fish)

LAKE BLACKSHEAR ( * ) — Crappies are now moving into the creeks and are in prime pre-spawn condition. Largemouth bass are biting on the ledges, on points, and near creek mouths. A consistent warm-up should soon put them into shallow water around docks and trees. Catfish and hybrids can be good at night, particularly near docks. A few bream are reported, but they, too are waiting for consistently warm water to become truly active. Lake stripers are beginning to show signs of activity. (half fish)