Catching Bass and Panfish from shore.

[jmikulan]

Hello.
I am new to the area relocted from Northern Illinois. Recently retired and would like to get back into fishing after putting my time in. I now live in Marietta and have been told to fish Allatoona for Bass and others. I really have no idea where to go on the lake and it seems pretty large. Went exploring a bit and found it pretty dried up? Or any other places to go near Marietta? I can travel a bit to get to a place where I can catch some fish from shore. Considering getting a Kayak to get out on the water?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you!
Joe

[joenitro3569]

I'm new here too. Did anyone respond to you. I know the current is important down here and they say around Little River is a good area. I think the fish are in what we would consider a summer pattern on points around channel swings. Did anyone respond to you?

[leapnlineman]

First let me welcome both of you to the forum. Allatoona has humbled all of us at one time or another and that is what makes it so special on those days when she gives up her secrets to the few who are lucky enough to be there at the right time and place. My best advice is to get to know the entire lake and "TOW, time on water" is the best lesson there is for Allatoona, outside of hiring Triton Mike to show you some of the ropes. Other than that all I can advise is to start reading through all the old reports on the forum and also the Articles/Cool Info/Archives section of the forum has some good advice. Bet you will see "Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, Chartruse" many, many times. But "White" works awfully well at times.

[RangerCliff]

Welcome to the forum, and Ray has it dead on. Got to spend a lot of time on the water.

[tinker1]

I would think a "Atlantic Mapping Inc." brand map of Allatoona would be a great asset to you. They are available at all the local bait shops and a lot of the gas stations around the lake. This website has a lot of maps on it also, as mentioned by Leapinlineman (Ray). As we move into the Summer pattern you are going to want to concentrate on docks, and shaded areas. The docks are not as accessible when fishing from the bank. Kayaks are a little dangerous if not accustomed to the wake of the big boats we seem to be plagued with around here. A boat with a broader beam than a jon boat would be my recommendation. Be safe and have fun is my motto.

[Bob Smith (Porko)]

This is a very tough time of year to start learning how to fish Toona. Weekend daylight hours are a lesson in competing with huge boats, wake board boats, jet skis and othe various nuisances. The best time to be fishing on the lake is after dark through September, so a good GPS and, as mentioned before, TOW to learn the lake. Try to hook up with other members if you can. There are a bunch of good folk here that will share some of that precious TOW with you.

[jmikulan]

Thanks very much to all for the replies, help and suggestions. I'm gonna get something out of there somehow?
Joe

[jackmanfishing]

Jmilukan I have lived here and fished Allatoona since 2004. I am still trying to find the good shore areas. You mentioned the lake had "dried up". That is actually not the case. Georgia is required to release water for use downstream from us. It is a seasonal draw down. It happens every year. There are still areas to fish but you have got to search. I also find fishing Lake Acworth can help fill the void during the draw down times. Lake Acworth is an Electric motor only (no gas motors allowed) lake. I have a jon boat with trolling motor and a canoe and Lake Acworth is a good spot for both. Don't expect giant fish but I catch bass, crappie, lake perch, carp and cats in there. Some of the bass are ok but they are not Striper size. I fish the area around the Veterans Memorial alot from the pier, bridge and shore too. Hope this helped. Maybe I'll see you out there sometime. Good fishing and leave a few in the water.