Bass pro Shane Meers hoists a pair of Lake Weiss bass that are about average for the lake in the spring. Photo by Ronnie Garrison

By Ronnie Garrison

The world-record largemouth bass was caught in Georgia. That fact alone should tell you something about bass fishing here. Even with the huge increase in numbers of bass fishermen, transplanting of bass to new areas and lunker bass development programs, that record for the biggest largemouth ever landed has held up for over 70 years.

Georgia is blessed with well over 100 lakes, rivers and ponds providing major public access. All of these waters offer the chance to catch a lunker bass. On our 21 major reservoirs, the record largemouths range from a small 7-pound, 8.5-ounce bass on North Georgia's infertile Blue Ridge Lake to the huge 17-pound, 9-ounce largemouth taken at Lake Lanier. In fact, 19 lakes have produced record fish weighing over 12 pounds and four have yielded bass weighing over 16 pounds.

Georgia has a 10-bass-per-day creel limit statewide. There is a reason the creel limit is so high. Peach State waters produce large numbers of bass. With a 12-inch minimum size on most waters, there are many places to easily catch a limit of keeper bass in a day. On good days, especially in the spring, it is not hard to catch dozens of keeper bass, with some quality fish as well.

The waters of our state are as varied as they are numerous, and we have several kinds of bass to choose from. Largemouths are king, and they are found in all our lakes. Still, spotted bass are the most sought-after species in some lakes, and lunker spots of over 5 pounds are caught regularly. Redeye, or Coosa, bass are found in several streams and in the headwaters of some reservoirs, and the Flint River and its tributaries are home to the rare shoal bass. There are even a few smallmouths in some of our far north lakes, plus Suwannee bass in extreme South Georgia.

With so many waters to choose from, where do you start? Here's a look at five big reservoirs that offer lots of public access while providing angling options close to home regardless of where you live in Georgia.

Located in northwest Georgia, Weiss covers 32,000 acres, of which roughly 2,000 are on our side of the border. The reservoir is shallow and full of grassbeds, stumps and logs. There are boat docks on much of its shoreline, and everywhere you look seems like a perfect place for catching bass. And many are.

The shallow waters warm quickly and are very fertile, giving bass early spawning opportunities and lots of food for their fry. Many young bass survive to catchable size, so there are almost always good numbers to be found there. The fertility means many quickly grow to the 3- to 5-pound range, a respectable size for any lake.

According to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, bass fishing at Weiss Lake is a well-kept secret. There is a very strong 1998 year-class of bass in the lake. Both largemouth and spotted bass 6 years old should average over 18 inches long, making this a good year for bassin' at Weiss.

There are a lot of spots and largemouth in the lake, and you are likely to catch both during most trips. Start your trip fishing around riprap with crankbaits and spinnerbaits in early spring and add in topwater as the water warms. There is a lot of riprap on the lake to fish, and it is easy to find. It is best if there is a current moving across it, and you should fish your lures with the current.

When you check out shoreline areas, you often find widespread grassbeds. Fish them with spinnerbaits early in the year and try buzzbaits and floating worms as the water warms up. Late spring can produce a quick bonanza of big bass in the grass at Weiss.

The old river and creek channels are well defined and hold bass most of the year. Many of them are shallow enough to fish effectively with crankbaits, and Carolina rigs also produce plenty of fish off them. Look for drops near bends in the channel; wood or rock cover located on the breaks makes them even better.

Allatoona is located just on the northwest outskirts of Atlanta, has 12,010 acres of water and is crossed by I-75. Its proximity to Atlanta and numerous parks, boat ramps and marinas means it gets crowded.

The terrain around the lake is rolling hills, the shoreline is steep and there is a lot of deep water. Many of the steeper banks are rocky, offering spotted bass ideal habitat. There are a good many docks on the lake, and there are numerous brushpiles, most of which have been put out by fishermen. Many of the banks have blown-down trees on them, and pine beetle infestations in the forest around the reservoir provide a constant supply of new trees in the water.

The upper end of the lake flattens out, and there are many long shallow points and river channel drops. Shoals and humps are well marked and often make good fishing locations. There are some narrow coves that are deep and offer fish and fishermen some protection from pleasure boats.

Spotted bass are thriving at Allatoona, and it is not unusual to catch 30 or more of them that measure from 11 to 13 inches long. These spots provide fast action and pull hard for their size, especially on light tackle. If you target largemouths, some lunkers are available. The lake record is an incredible 16-pound, 9-ounce monster caught there in 1982.

If it's spots you want, stick with the lower lake and work along the steep banks. A small jig-and-pig hopped down rock bluff walls or fished through downed trees offers an excellent way to catch spotted bass. If you prefer, a 5-inch worm fished with a 3/16-ounce sinker is also good in the same areas. Fishing on light line of 6- to 8-pound-test draws more strikes in the clear water.

As the water warms in the spring, the spots move into pockets and small creeks to spawn. Sight-fishing can be good, but fishing a Carolina-rigged lizard in the backs of the pockets and creeks finds hidden bedding bass, too. After the spawn, move back to the steeper banks and try topwater lures.

An "Alabama rig" consisting of a small topwater popping lure and a small hair fly on a leader 16 inches behind it works well. Spots like small baits, and this rig gives them small and smaller to choose from.

If you want largemouths, try the points and wood cover on the upper end of the lake. Look for flats and work any cover you see on them, but also watch your depthfinder for brushpiles. A bigger jig-and-pig, or a 6-inch worm is good for largemouths. Also try larger topwater stickbaits and buzzbaits for the bucketmouths.