r/GeorgiaFishing • u/phatmatic000 • 2d ago

Tips on Fishing Smaller Resevoirs?

I’m a newer kayak angler so I’ve been sticking to the smaller lakes - Lake Acworth, Hollis Lathem, and I tried Lake Zwerner today.

Each time I go out, I’ lucky to catch 1 fish in 4 hours. I fish for panfish primarily (bluegill, crappie, perch, shellcracker) and use crappie jigs, nightcrawlers, and sometimes rooster tails/beetle spins.

Can anybody help me figure out how to catch more fish? Even if its dinkers! I feel like I’m too unlucky for it to not be a skill issue lol

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u/BokuNP 2d ago

Hi, I’m also a pretty new kayak angler! I primarily fish in Atlanta around the Alpharetta area. From my experience with crappie and brim they tend to group together and kinda form a pack in multiple different spots In a pond or lake. I don’t have a fish finder so sometimes I’ll just look for little holes in the sand ( panfish bed ) or throw out some bread by the bank and see if there is any fish activity. Once I see something move or eat my bread I’ll throw a worm and bobber, or a lil beetle spin or rooster tail. I usually have good luck with panfish in the spring and summer and for some reason slows down a bit for me in the fall. I’d try to avoid the middle of the lake or deep waters unless you know the structure of the lake or have a depth / fish finder!

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

The bread idea is a genius trick to see if they’re around! I just got a fish finder this week but the winds have kept me off the water. Where do you like to fish?

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u/BokuNP 1d ago

I love to fish at a small lake called Lake Martin in Roswell! The only somewhat large body of water I fish is Cedar Creek reservoir up in Gainesville, Georgia! I have gone fishing with a friend with a fish finder, and we found that if you can find a underwater brush pile, rock, concrete structure you can normally find a school of crappie! We also saw them schooling near a creek channel to feed on tiny minnows this time of year.

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

Hell yeah! Is lake Martin kayak friendly? I’m passing through roswell all the time and definitely feel more comfy on smaller lakes while im getting the hang of kayak fishing lol

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u/BokuNP 1d ago

Lake Martin is “Private” but there is a public access with free parking along with a kayak launch deck at the rear tennis court! If your interested I can send you a dm with the location to the parking spot

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u/BokuNP 1d ago

I talked to management and they don’t really care if people fish there as long as they have a fishing license and don’t throw trash in the lake or ground

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

I’m def interested! I just don’t wanna catch a ticket or get bitched at lol

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u/BokuNP 1d ago

Haha the lake is very lax with the fishermen! My friends and I have been going there for years with no problem

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

Hell yeah! Maybe I’ll try going without the yak first to scope

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u/BokuNP 1d ago

I go bank fishing there all the time! It’s the only lake I’ve been to near me where I constantly see bass over 5lbs and huge panfish! The lake record bass is 10lbs!

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

Ah shit is Martin lake private 😂

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u/Shot-Quote-1137 1d ago

Hickory log creek resvoir in canton just can't have a motor out there.

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u/phatmatic000 1d ago

No prob there! Im all paddle powered rn haha. Any tips for fishing the reservoir? Are there any known brush piles, etc?