Matt Williams
The Athens Review
ATHENS —
ATHENS — Lake Athens is about normal level and slightly stained. Water temp is in the upper 80s.
Bass are good to five pounds on deep cranks and Carolina rigs fished around drop offs and main lake brush piles in 15-22 feet of water. Boat docks with brush also are holding some quality fish. A few fish taking topwaters, wacky worms and light Texas rigs tossed around shallow weeds early in day.
Crappie are fair on live shiners soaked around main lake brush piles in 15-25 feet of water.
CEDAR CREEK — The lake is six inches low and fairly clear. Water temp is in the high 80s.
Fishing guide Jason Barber said hybrids are excellent to nine pounds on live shad, swim baits and flutter spoons fished over main lake humps in 25-35 feet of water. Black bass are fair on Carolina rigs fished along drop offs and bridge pillars in 10-15 feet of water. Some of the deeper docks with brush also are holding a few fish that are taking shaky heads.
Crappie are good at the High 198 and 334 bridges and around brush piles in 15-25 feet of water, suspended at 10-15 feet. Catfish are taking cut shad fished on bottom in 10-20 feet of water, mostly around main lake structure.
PALESTINE — Lake Palestine is about two inches low and fairly clear. Water temp is in the upper-80s.
Fishing guide Ricky Vandergriff said bass fishing has been fair, but tough at times. Some bass schooling early and late over main lake points. Otherwise, Carolina rig blue fleck worms are working best when dragged over points 3-6 feet deep. Vandergriff also is picking up a few keepers using deep cranks around channel swings in 16-18 feet of water. Up north, frogs and jigs are working around grass near channel breaks.
Crappie are slow. Partial limits are being reported on jigs and shiners in 16-18 feet of water. The Highway 155 pilings also are holding a few fish. Catfish are slow on rod and reel. Best bite is on liver fished around baited holes. A few fish up to 45 pounds reported on jugs and trotlines tipped with live perch.
— Matt Williams
