Nancy Creek Fishing

   Flat Bullhead:

   Bullhead are similar to the catfish species familiar to most anglers. The only really significant difference is their size. While some catfish can exceed hundreds of pounds, bullhead rarely reach two. In Nancy, Flats do not exceed 1 foot in length while the common size is around 7 to 8 inches. The native Flat Bullhead are one of the less common species of bullhead but, they seem to be the most numerous in Nancy. Flat Bullhead are found underneath rocks and heavy cover in deeper water but, they can tolerate mild current. We have not confirmed the presence of any other species of bullhead in Nancy.

   Flat Bullhead feed on aquatic insects, snails, and small fish. We also believe them to have some scavenger instincts because they readily take both dead and alive worms, fish, and insects. Flat Bullhead are the most constant fish in Nancy as they are always biting. You are almost always guaranteed a bite from the Flat Bullheads when still fishing with natural bait. Contrary to popular belief, bullhead feed in the water column, above the bottom. However, they will take bait off the bottom. Northern Water Snakes are known to prey upon Flat Bullhead of all sizes along with the two turtle species, Muskrats, and Spotted Bass of Nancy. The younger specimens are vulnerable to the Spotted Bass. These guys tolerate a wide spectrum of water temperatures but, the are most active in the summer time. Flats spawn in June and July when the water is about 70°F to 75°F.

   Spotted Bass:

   Spotted Bass are the dominant species of Nancy Creek. It is no surprise to find such a hardy, non-native species here. These fish were stocked in the Chattahoochee during the late 90's and early 00's, likely by fishermen. Identification is easy in Nancy because they are the only known species of Black Bass. Their preferred habitat of clear flowing gravel bottomed runs of creeks and small rivers is abundantly found in the Chattahoochee Basin. Spots are often found in clear runs, deeper outer bends, areas below shoals, and mouths of tributaries. They tend to stay near and under cover such as boulders and fallen trees, but are often seen cruising in open water. Spots also tolerate more current than most Black Bass species as they can be found in swifter sections of the stream. However, as a general rule of thumb look to the slower moving, clear sections of Nancy for good sized spots. These Spots can grow to be up to a foot long, but most are closer to 7 inches.

   Small fish, aquatic insects, small animals, and crayfish are the main source of food for these predators. For larger spots, crayfish are the most important part of their diet. Spots have been know to eat small birds, frogs, and even their own young. While they are fierce predators, they can be finicky eaters at times. They have been know to watch proven lures and baits float right by them under certain circumstances which we are still working to understand. In Nancy Creek, Spots are virtually unopposed except for the occasional Common Snapping Turtle, River Cooter, Muskrat, and large Flat Bullhead. The decline of other black bass species in Nancy is certainly due to the introduction of the spotties, who have a predatory advantage over the others.

 Spots are most active during the warm summer months (April-August) during the early morning and late evening hours. They prefer warm summer water temperatures in the 70's and 80's. The average water temperature that we have caught spots at is 67°F. Spawning takes place in Nancy sometime during April, May, or June in deep water when they can find it. It usually takes place around the Full Moon when the water temperature is in the high 50's and 60's. The days leading up to the spawn are some of the best spot fishing of the year as they are feeding ferociously. However, after the spawn, the fishing slows down tremendously as the spots focus on their partners, not feeding. The males do however guard their nest for a short period of time after the spawn. Males also guard the larvae for up to a month even once they have left the nest. It takes about 2 to 3 years for Spotted Bass to reach full size.

   Redbreast Sunfish:

   Redbreast Sunfish are the most colorful and common fish in Nancy Creek. Redbreasts are native to this drainage. During mating season, male redbreasts sport some of the most flamboyant colors around in the search for a mate. Redbreasts are found abundantly in deep outside bends with cover from bushes and trees. They also prefer rock and sand bottoms which are slowly disappearing as particles cover up the habitats due to sedimentation. Redbreast love structure of all types including boulders, rock outcroppings, tires, trees, and really anything else that provides cover. These sunfish prefer slack water but, they will move into faster moving water in search of food. They primarily feed on the bottom. However they will take baits below and on the surface. Redbreasts in Nancy typically reach the largest size of any other sunfish species in Nancy, getting up to 5 to 6 inches in length.

   Redbreasts have the widest variety in their diet of any sunfish. Adult Redbreasts prefer insects, snails, crayfish, and smaller baitfish. They are also known to consume small crayfish and various insect larvae. Redbreasts are not very picky eaters (they can be at times) and will usually take many types of baits and lures if presented correctly. Smaller specimens can be consumed by the Flat Bullhead and Spotted Bass population but, all types of turtles and Muskrats will hunt Redbreasts of any size for a meal.

   Redbellies prefer warmer summer temperatures while they are tolerant of a wide spectrum. Spawning takes place in the summer in water temperatures of 68°F to 82°F. The male makes a depression about a foot wide in a shallow, sandy area that serves as a nest. Then the female will lay about 1,000 in the nest. The male guards the eggs for and larvae for a short time after the hatch. There are several spawns throughout the summer instead of just one specified time. While hybridization is common among sunfish, none have been found in Nancy Creek, a possible indicator of good water quality. Redbreasts can live for up to 6 years, reaching up to around a pound. The max size in Nancy is about half that.

   Green Sunfish:

   Green Sunfish are another one of the members of the sunfish family that call Nancy home. However, these are non-native fish that are very tolerant of different environments, indicating long term sub-par water quality. Greens prefer the sluggish waters of Nancy, but they have been found in areas with slow to moderate current. These sunfish are the most sparsely populated in Nancy compared to the abundant Redbreasts and Bluegill. They don't hang around structure nearly as much as Redbreasts and Bluegills do. Green Sunfish are a little less finicky than Redbreasts when it is chow time and they take baits throughout the water column. These guys typically reach about 3 to 4 inches in length in Nancy's enviroment.

   Although they do not have quite as much variation in their diet as Redbrests, greens prey on a wude variety of organisms. Snails, small fish, crayfish, worms, and aquatic insects are the most frequent prey. As with all of the fish of Nancy, they find themselves preyed upon by turtles, Muskrats, Northern Water Snakes, and some large Spotted Bass and Flat Bullhead.

   Greens also perfer the warm summer water temperatures. Mating for Green Sunfish is very similar to all other species of sunfish. Eggs are laid when the water reaches above 70°F in the summer months. The eggs are garded by the male until shortly after they hatch at which point the larvae are on their own.

   Bluegill:

   The thrid and final known sunfish species of Nancy is a Georgia favorite, the Bluegill. Bluegill are slightly less densly populated than Redbreasts. They enjoy struture just as much as the Redbreasts, but they also favor underwater vegetation for cover. Look to sunken trees bushes, and underwater weedbeds for the largest specimens. Bluegill tend to hang around calmer water, but they will venture into areas with current. Also, much like the Green Sunfish, Bluegill are quick to take many different types of food from the bottom to the surface. Bluegill in Nancy usually reach a similar size as the Greens.

    Insects, both terrestrial and aquatic are the main source of food for Bluegills of all sizes. Bluegill have also been observed consuming small fish of many species, crayfish, and leeches. Along with the Green Sunfish and the Redbreast Sunfish, Bluegill find themselves near the bottom of the food chain, being preyed upon by many of Nancy's aquatic and terrestrial predators.

   Bluegill are also at home in the summer heat. Their mating habits are very similar to the Greens and Redbreasts of Nancy. They also spawn in water that is in the 70's and their habits are very similar to other species of sunfish. The Female can lay a wide number of eggs depending on her size and health.

   Rainbow Trout:

    The Rainbow Trout population of Nancy Creek is very unique. During the coldest winter months, when the water in Nancy dips into the 50's and 40's Trout from the Chattahoochee travel into Peachtree Creek and deep into Nancy. We believe this is due to the competitvity in the Chattahoochee for the smaller trout so they come into Nancy for easier meals while the water temperature is comfortable for them. Also, during these months we believe the bass, sunfish, (and maybe the bullhead) head downstream to Peachtree and the Hooch in search of warmer waters making the trout the dominant species during the winter. The Trout in Nancy prefer habitats where their food comes right to them, such as below a small rapid, downstream of large boulders, and large outside bends. The Trout encountered during the summer months in Nancy can reach as large as a foot long.

    Trout in Nancy primarily feed on aquatic insects. Sometimes Rainbows will also feed on minnows and juveniles of various species. When the Rainbows are in Nancy in the Winter, they have almost no competition or predators, aside from terrestrial ones. Rainbows tend to hang around in waters that range from the mid 40's to mid 60's in temperature.

 

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