Lake Sinclair Fishing Report – January 2006

Sinclair: Level: The lake was down 5.5 feet in December, but it will start being filled back to full pool on January 1. Temp: 51-54 degrees. Beaverdam Creek has been in the 60s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Great. Reports of good stringers have come from Sinclair this month after it was drawn down for dock repairs. “They’ve been eating it on Sinclair,” said Kip Carter. “I’ve been catching them from 441 to the mouth of Oconee to the mouth of Rooty Creek. I went Sunday and caught 18 from 2 o’clock until dark.” Kip said a lot of anglers didn’t take advantage of the low-water conditions. He’s been finding a great bite throwing little crankbaits around brush and dock pilings when there’s been no wind. He said bumping the wood is a great way to get bit. If you get some wind find an area on the main lake where it’s blowing some shad in and throw Shad Raps or 1/4-oz. Rat-L-Traps. “It’s going to get a little tougher when the water comes back up,” said Kip. He said he’ll be doing the same thing this month, but there’s just going to be more places for fish to hide. Mike Cleveland also throws Shad Raps and Rat-L-Traps in January, but he likes to fish main-lake rock that’s being warmed by the sun. He also keys on docks in five to eight feet of water, looking for fish that are up there to feed. However, he keys on main-lake docks close to deep water. For a dock bite, Mike will flip a 3/8-oz. black/blue jig. By the end of January expect to find some fish in the pockets.

Hybrids: Great. Kip Carter said he’s been catching quite a few hybrids when fishing for bass in the Little River and Rooty Creek areas. Throw Shad Raps and Rat-L-Traps.

Crappie: Good. Allan Brown caught 25 trolling with 1/16-oz. jigs in Beaverdam and Rooty creeks. The bite was in eight to 10 feet of water. In January expect about the same thing. Fishing in Beaverdam Creek should be really good. Troll up one side and down the other, staying 30 feet off the front of the docks. Black/blue/black is Allan’s favorite color for January’s clear water. If we get some warmer weather, move your trolling to shallower, six- to eight-foot flats, and use a 1/32-oz. jig.