June 2014

Summertime Fun is Upon Us!

This month, almost all fish have completed their spawn and have pretty well moved into summertime patterns. The bite is stabilizing, and fishing is good on both Carters and Allatoona. You only need to look at our gallery to see how May treated us last month. Also moving into summertime patterns are jet ski's, pontoon boats, and wake-boarders! If you want undisturbed fishing, go early and fish weekdays if you can (we still have weekdays open in the next 30 days).

Striper and Hybrids

Striper and hybrids are still cruising early in the day, but for the most part will stay offshore and deep. We've been catching them well on both live and artificial. For those of you that love that topwater bite, there has been great schooling on topwater throughout most of the day on Lake Allatoona. Book a trip with Rick and he'll put you on them.

Recent Bass Fishing

Spotted bass are pretty well staged in their summer holding areas, but we've been catching some really shallow fish late this year. There continues to be good populations of fish in less than 20 feet on main lake features, and there are some good ones mixed in the bunch, like this 6.0 lb spot caught by Famous Phil Johnson on a jighead worm just a few weeks ago. I would bet these shallow fish continue to move on out as we get later into June.

Be Safe, Be Legal

A few weeks ago, I pulled into the Damsite Ramp area on Carters and found that the U.S. Coast Guard had set up a check station tent and was checking folks as they came into the area. They were accompanied by U.S. Forrest Service Park Rangers, who manage the ramps at Carter's Lake. Those of you that know me, know that I value your safety and keep all my boating and fishing gear in top order. So it was nice to get a pat on the back from a uniformed Coast Guard official. In fact he said I was a "Model example!" I even got a sticker!

But some other folks coming into the ramp that day didn't have the same experience. Some citations were issued, and in fact, some boats were turned away and not allowed to launch. I've had a lot of clients tell me they only pull their boat out a few times a year. So this month, I thought I'd provide my own summary of regulations to help point you fellow boaters out there as to common "gotcha's" that might sneak up on you unexpectedly.

NOTE: These are my own tips and in no way replaces the scope of official regulations. The Coast Guard has put together a complete summary of regulations that can be viewed here.

Life Jackets

Probably the most common infraction regards life jackets, so lets go over them first:

One Each - You have to have at least one life jacket for each person in the boat.

Serviceable - Life jackets must be serviceable, so check for busted straps, cracked clips, holes, etc...

Fit - Each person must have an appropriately sized life jacket, so keep on what you've got for little people and big people.

13 & Under - Kids 13 and under must wear their life jacket at all times when the boat is under weigh. Although they can take the jacket off while stopped (fishing?), it has been my experience that not all enforcing officers are clear on these details.

Inflatable Jackets - The inflatables are very comfortable to wear, but you must be 16 years of age to wear them. Also be sure your CO₂ gauge shows green, otherwise it isn't legal.

Storage - This one gets people, so here is the exact verbiage: "They should not be stowed in plastic bags, in locked or closed compartments, or have other gear stowed on top of them.” NOTE: The zippered waterproof bag that bulk jackets are sold in is ok for storage.

Alcohol - New for 2014

About 2/3rds of my clients want to bring alcohol on the boat. It is common to say the least, and although you can't walk around town or ride in a car with an open container of alcohol, you can on a boat. There are no open container restrictions for passengers on boats. The boat operator of course must be sober.

BAL's REDUCED - The blood alcohol levels (BAL's) for boaters have recently been reduced from 0.10 to 0.08 for people 21 and older.

BAL Under 21 - BAL's for boaters under 21 must be 0.02 or lower (not new).

Fire Extinguishers

Probably the 2nd most common infraction has to do with fire extinguishers. Boat fires are real and they happen right here on our waters. Boat long enough and you'll see one.

Type - The Coast Guard has specific requirements based on boat size, but for most of us, it is going to be a Class B-1.

Serviceability - Fire extinguishers have gauge on the top. If the needle isn't in the green, the extinguisher isn't legal. Check your extinguisher regularly.

Security - Your fire extinguisher can not be rolling around in the bottom of the boat or stowed in a locker. It must be immediately available from a mounted position. If your mount is cracked or otherwise not working, better get it fixed!

Throw Device

You might see these as square cushions, or the classic "doughnut", but you gotta have it.

16 ft+ Boats - If your boat is 16 feet or longer and powered (electric or gas), you must have a Coast Guard approved throwable floatation device. Look for the label to be sure it is an approved device.

Immediately Available - Throw devices must be "immediately available for use." Which means, if you have it in a closed compartment, you're asking for a ticket. Have it out, on a peg, as a cushion on a seat, laying on the deck, etc...

Registration

You registered your boat with the state, right? How many years ago? Is it current? Is it displayed properly? You got your card? --don't let this one get you.

Current - Make sure your boat registration is current. The event notice/calendar feature on most smart phones is a great way to alert yourself that "Hey, you need to re-up your boat registration."

Display - There are two pieces to displaying the registration on your boat: 1.The hull ID number (starting with the two digit state), and 2. the registration placard. The Coast Guard has very specific language about the placement of these things! --read over it carefully.

The Card - As the operator of your boat, you must have your boater registration card on you at all times. It isn't enough to just have the sticker on the boat!--gotta have the card too.

Young Boaters - New for 2014

In an effort to make our waters safer, young folks are now required to complete a Boater's Education Course in order to operate a boat. Here are some specifics:

Who needs it - Anyone born on or after January 1, 1998 must take the course in order to operate a boat on their own.

Don't Have it? - Anyone 12 or older may operate a boat without the course so long as they are accompanied by someone 18 or older.

Under 12 & Under 30 - Kids under 12 may legally operate boats under 16 ft (Class A) as long as they have no more than 30 hp.

Boat US has a nice summary for Georgia here.

Scheduling & Booking

June is very full right now, but we do have a few openings on both Carters and Allatoona. Call for availability. The choice days in July are filling up fast as well, but there are still a lot of openings. Remember summertime fishing is primarily finesse fishing offshore --something people of all ages and skill level can do. Click here to book.

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Gearing up in June

The spawn is over, temps are heating up, and fish are now settling into summertime patterns. You'll find an aggressive bite early around shallow main lake features and along wind-blown shorelines should we have a storm front come through. Otherwise, it is finesse, finesse, finesse on offshore features.

Start your morning with St. Croix Premier 6'6" Medium Casting rod with a Strike King KVD Jerbait in any of the natural patterns. Use light 10 lb fluorocarbon for best action. For a slower presentation, try Strike King Zulu's or Caffine Shad weighless (of 1/16th oz weights around shoreline cover. If fish are on top, try throwing Strike King Sexy Dawgs with a 7' St. Croix Casting rod and 17 lb mono worked along outside edges of main lake features.

As the sun gets up and fish slow down, you'll need to move offshore and concentrate on finesse fishing in 25-35 feet of water. Here are my top two suggestions:

For searching long points and across humps, use a 3/16oz Spotsticker jighead tipped with a 6 inch Big Bite Shaking Squirrel Bold Gill worm.
Once you locate fish, concentrate on them with dropshot rigs. My favorite is the St Croix 7ft Legend Tournament Spinning Rod. I like a 2500 Series Reel and 30lb Sunline FX Braid with a 8lb Sniper Fluorocarbon leader.

Good luck out there,

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