Drop Shot Fishing on Lake Nottely
Lake Nottely · Georgia · Southeast
Lake Nottely is a pristine, deep reservoir situated in the Chattahoochee National Forest, characterized by exceptionally clear water and a primarily rocky, mountainous shoreline. While known for its abundant spotted bass, the lake also supports a healthy population of largemouth bass, with fish often relating to deep structure and standing timber. The deep-water clarity and mountainous terrain mean bass fishing here demands a precise, often vertical, approach.
The drop shot suspends a soft plastic bait above the bottom on a fixed line, keeping it in the strike zone longer than any other rig. Originally a West Coast technique, it now dominates clear-water and finesse situations nationwide. Works vertically over structure or on a long cast.
Drop Shot Setup for Lake Nottely
| Rod | 7' medium-light to medium spinning rod, fast action |
| Reel | 2500–3000 size spinning reel, 6.2:1 or higher |
| Line | 6–8 lb fluorocarbon main line or 10 lb braid + 8 lb fluoro leader |
| Weight | 1/8–3/8 oz tungsten drop shot weight (heavier in current or deep water) |
| Hook | #1 or #2 Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap, 6–18 inches above weight |
Seasonal Tactics on Lake Nottely
Lake: Bass transition from deep winter haunts to shallower creek arms and protected coves for spawning, making jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs effective as water temperatures rise.
Drop Shot: Target staging fish on points and drop-offs in 8–20 feet. Nose-hook a 6" Roboworm or Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm.
Lake: A strong thermocline pushes fish deeper to main lake points, humps, and standing timber, where drop shots, football jigs, and deep crankbaits are highly productive, often in 20-50 feet of water.
Drop Shot: Go deep — 20–40 feet on main lake structure. Shake in place with minimal movement. Shad colors dominate.
Lake: As water temperatures cool, shad migrations draw bass into creek arms and to the surface, offering opportunities for topwater lures, swimbaits, and reaction baits.
Drop Shot: Follow baitfish to secondary points and pockets. Faster retrieve works as fish get more aggressive.
Lake: Bass move into the deepest sections of the lake, often suspending over the old river channel or holding tight to bottom structure, requiring slow presentations with A-rigs, spoons, and deep jerkbaits.
Drop Shot: Slowest presentation of the year. Dead-stick a 4" finesse worm at the bottom. Let it sit 10–15 seconds between shakes.
Best Conditions
Clear to stained water, pressured fish, cold fronts, post-spawn suspended bass, deep structure in summer
Use a Palomar knot and leave the tag end pointing up to keep the hook riding correctly. Most anglers tie it wrong.
More Techniques for Lake Nottely
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