Fishing Forecast - Lower Flint River
Overview
The character of the Flint River changes drastically after the Fall Line around Highway 128. Bottom substrate changes to predominantly sand and the river channel begins to meander, with banks alternating between sand point bars and willow thickets.
Guide to Fishing and Floating the Lower Flint River in PDF (2.85 MB). This document contains access and fishing tip information and a color map with river-mile designations.
Contact Information: DNR Office: 229-430-4256
Best Bets: Shoal Bass, Largemouth Bass, Hybrid Bass, Flathead Catfish, Channel Catfish
Lower Flint River - Largemouth Bass
Prospect: Numbers of largemouth caught during fall surveys continue to increase, so expect an abundance of quality-size fish from several strong year classes.
Technique: Largemouth readily accept a variety of artificial lures including, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, top water and crankbaits. Try targeting slack water areas, brushpiles and eddies behind stumps and trees along the shoreline.
Target: For trophy fish, target the two-mile stretch of river below and from to . Good numbers of quality largemouth can be found below . Though often overlooked in the winter months, fishing can be good, as bass tend to congregate around the many springs in the river.
Lower Flint River - Shoal Bass
Prospect: Shoal bass are the river's prime species. They are easily caught in shoal areas while spawning, and can be caught throughout the river during the rest of the year. Look for large fish (> 2 pounds) in deep shoal areas during the summer months. The numbers of fish in the lower Flint are lower than fish in the upper Flint, but the average size is much larger. There have been good year classes the last few years so larger fish should be abundant this year.
Technique: Shoal bass are very aggressive and respond readily to a variety of artificial baits. Jigs and soft plastics in crawfish patters are favorites. In shoal areas, try topwater lures. Fly-fishing is challenging, but increasingly popular - try woolly buggers and large surface poppers.
Target: The best time of year to target shoals is during the spring and fall. Shoal bass prefer swift water usually near shoals. For the best action, target shoal areas below (Baker County) and upstream of in Lee County. Also look to small islands found upstream from the mouth of . In the early spring consider the tailraces below the and dams.
Lower Flint River - Hybrid Bass
Prospect: Hybrids can be abundant during spring spawning runs below the Albany and Blackshear dams. Fishing can be hit and miss as fish move up and down river. If you strike out one day, fishing could be much improved the next!
Technique: Casting bucktails is recommended. Crankbaits like shad raps and rapalas also work well. Anglers also use live shad and chicken liver.
Target: In spring, target the area below . Also look to the tailrace below during spring and summer.
Lower Flint River - White Bass
Prospect: White bass fishing can be spectacular for small fish below Blackshear when the reservoir population is good. Most fish will be small, but if you find a school the action can be fast and furious. An excellent year class last year should provide great fishing in the tailrace this spring.
Technique: Look for schooling white bass chasing bait on the surface and cast small jerk baits or jigs into the school.
Target: Fish the tailraces below and during the spring.
Lower Flint River - Striped Bass
Prospect: Expect most stripers in the 14 to 20-inch range. Striper abundance is decent which should provide good spring fishing opportunities. Please report tagged stripers to the Albany Fisheries Management office (229-430-4256). An increase in 20 to 40 pound fish were observed during sampling efforts this summer. There should be an excellent chance for anglers to break the 30 pound mark and possibly even 40 pounds.
Technique: Casting bucktails is recommended. Crankbaits like shad raps and rapalas also work well. Live shad also is a favorite bait of many anglers.
Target: In spring, target the tailraces below the and dams.
Lower Flint River - Catfish
Flathead Catfish
Prospect: Flathead catfish are a favorite among river anglers. Catches of large fish have been good during low water conditions, and this year most catches should range from 20-28 inches and weigh less than 10 pounds. Best times to fish are in the spring (prior to spawning) under rising water conditions and again in the summer. Harvestable-size channel catfish also are abundant.
Technique: For flatheads, live bait is a must - bream is preferred. For channel cats, try bottom fishing with worms, chicken liver or dead shrimp.
Target: Look to productive areas downstream of in Lee County and the section above in Baker County for flatheads. Concentrate efforts immediately above and/or below the numerous shoals for channel catfish, particularly the area below .
Lower Flint River - Bream
Redear Sunfish
Prospect: The bream population is about average for the Flint River this year. Recent high water should result in good growth and good numbers of fish over 7 inches.
Technique: A variety of artificial and live baits, including crickets, beetle spins and small jigs are effective. Many anglers also are realizing the enjoyment of fly-fishing for bream. A variety of flies, from popping bugs to nymphs, work well.
Target: Target snags and blowdowns in the river section above and upstream from to . Redbreast sunfish can be found in and around the shoal areas of the river. Look for redear sunfish throughout the lower Flint from Lake Blackshear downstream to , and lower.
Lower Flint River - Other Species
Prospect: Spring may bring encounters with Alabama shad. These anadromous fish are being restored to the river through fish passage efforts at Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam.
Technique: Shad readily accept small jigs and can provide fast and feisty fun on lightweight tackle.
Target: Look to the tailrace during the spring.
