New "Old" place to catch gills and crappie

[Nick Holt]

About 30 minutes from me in Columbus, Georgia, there's a ritzy family resort called Callaway Gardens. The resort has a main lake of around 120 acres. It's a fee based lake where one can rent a boat and trolling motor for $35.00 for a half day's fishing. An angler may take 7 bluegill well over 1 1/2 pounds, 7 bass, and all of the crappie he can tote! I talked with the fisheries biologist, and he said that the gill limit is low (at one time an angler could take home 15 gills), but due to the rising crappie population, they want them out. He told me he has seen up to 50 crappie taken in a half day's fishing. Minnows are not allowed for crappie, but worms and crickets are allowed for the gills. I used to fish there in the early to the mid 90s, and we weren't allowed to use any live bait. Just jigs, and there were no crappie. It's thought that shore or wading birds brought the eggs in attatched to their legs and off the crappie took off. Guess I'll have to try a Good Old Place. No shame to my game when it comes to being a good steward and help re-establish the lake's balance. Will let you know when I'm going. Nick.

[Sam Hazel]

Can't put your own boat in, unless you hire a guide from the flyshop....all great folks. The big lake is very good and U can rent a boat w/ troll motor 4 not much $$. My advice, get a group together & hire a guide to fish the multiple smaller lakes.

[Jim Gronaw]

I have heard that the bluegill and shellcracker fishing in those lakes are phenomenal. But I always heard it was a 'lures only' lake. Live bait may help in the catching of some of those trophy sized fish. Can't wait for the photos!

[Nick Holt]

Bill, Callaway will not allow private boats in their lake. The 2 reasons for this are, liability insurance issues and they wouldn't make any money if they opened the lake to private boats.

Hey bluegillboogieman, It's good to hear from you. Yes, I will take some pictures of the gardens. I agree, the scenery is beautiful. Hopefully, there will be some fish in some of those shots. Take care, Nick.

[Bill Trussell]

Nick
Can one carry their own boat to the lake. I have a small little raider boat pontoon bottom and 8 ft. long, that can be put into the back of my pickup.

[bluegillboogieman]

Nick, even if you don't catch anything, take some pictures of the scenery there for us. Beautiful place Callaway Gardens.

Boogieman