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It's not uncommon for locums to turn south for warm-weather assignments during the winter. For doctors in search of extending the summer fishing season with some awesome winter angling, take a look at Georgia and its monstrous, hard-fighting striped bass.
Georgia is striped-bass country
Striped bass thrive in the Atlantic coastal estuaries in Canada, and down the east coast states through Georgia and Florida. Striped bass can live for decades, and Georgia record holders include 60-plus pound lunkers from both inland lakes and rivers.
Both sport and commercial fishermen have worked for decades to build sustainable populations. In Georgia, local management organizations keep inland waters well-stocked with this popular and hard-fighting fish.
Landlocked populations gather in cool, deep lakes in warmer weather. However, many anglers consider the cool winter months to be the best time to fish striped bass. The bass move up river as the weather cools, and many consider strong, river-caught striped bass to be the challenging cold-weather fight that anglers should be targeting.
Where are the fish?
Aggressive stocking efforts in Georgia provide fantastic fishing in most areas of the state. Popular destinations include the Coose River system in northwest Georgia, the Chattahoochee River in the central region of the state, and the northeastern Oconee and Broad Rivers in the early part of winter.
Working with a guide is advantageous for locum tenens doctors new to the area. Talented guides will scout locations when water levels are low to find fallen logs and other submerged obstacles. They'll also know the deep pools and shoals that you'll never find when waters are high and running fast. So if you're serious about catching, go with a pro.
If you decide to forego a professional guide, consider teaming up with your hospital coworkers or making friends with the locals to get to the best winter bass holes.
What are they bitin' on?
A guide service can also help you gear up with the right tackle for striped bass. Many anglers use conventional tackle and a variety of live bait for stripers. Indeed, if you can find baitfish populations, striped bass are likely close by.
Georgia anglers have a history of success with fly rods, as well. Field & Stream reported a flyfisherman recently caught and released a 43-pounder in the Chattahoochee River. Again, a guide can help you select the best flies and spinning blades, but any chance to get out and wet a line is worth it.
Cool winter weather doesn't have to spell an end to the fishing season. Head south to Georgia this winter and fish for Atlantic striped bass.