Probably the most notable topographic features of Walter George are the pronounced "ledges." On average the lake is shallow, with broad flats bordering the old Chattahoochee River channel crossed by flooded creek channels with distinct dropoffs or ledges. Bass tend to concentrate on the edges of these drops prior to and after the spawn.

Carolina-rigged plastic worms or lizards, big spinnerbaits, or big, deep-diving crankbaits dragged along these ledges can be deadly during the late spring and into the early summer. When the water gets really hot in the summer, fish down in the deeper channels with a jig or deep-running crankbait for best results.

In the spring and fall, bass will also congregate in the shoreline grass. At that time, a slow-rolled spinnerbait is hard to beat. And speaking of grass: Several infestations of hydrilla have afflicted the lake over the last several years. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is trying to control the aquatic weed, and it seeks anglers' help. Inspect your boat, outboard, trailer and even fishing tackle for fragments of grass before putting them in the lake.

If you need an overnight base on the impoundment, the George Bagby State Resort Park near Fort Gaines is a good option. It has excellent accommodations, a marina, boat ramp and other amenities.

FLINT RIVER
The Flint River runs south from metro Atlanta through central Georgia before combining with the Chattahoochee at Lake Seminole. This river also has an excellent shoal bass fishery, particularly on the upper section along the Fall Line west of Macon.

Kent Edmonds is a full-time fishing guide on the section of the river between Molena and Talbotton. He's been professionally guiding on the Flint for more than 15 years and knows the waters and the habits of the fish in it very well. "In this section the river falls over 100 feet in a very short distance," he pointed out. "That vertical drop results in some excellent shoals -- ideal country for shoal bass."

Edmonds explained that shoal bass can be caught on live bait or small artificial spinning lures in this section, but he himself fishes for the bass exclusively with fly tackle. "These fish are bulldogs for their size and clever about diving under rocks and breaking you off," the guide cautioned.

Most of the fish in this area average about 12 inches long and a pound in weight, and are plentiful. An occasional 4- to 6-pound fish also turns up to keep things very interesting.

While access along this stretch is somewhat limited, there are several spots that are open to the public and have some great water. Edmonds pointed to Sprewell Bluff State Park to the west of Thomaston as having some great wading areas with an excellent shoal bass population among the rocks. Anther place with good accessibility and a stretch of Hightower Shoals is Big Lazer Creek WMA.

In addition to this fine stretch of river, which has a thriving native population of shoal bass, the WRD is conducting an aggressive stocking program on the lower section of the river below Warwick Dam at Lake Blackshear in Crisp County.

Whether you plan to hit the rivers or the lakes, plenty of bass action should be available in the state this year.

Find more about Georgia fishing and hunting at: GeorgiaSportsmanMag.com