Lake level: Full pool
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained
Temperature: 50s
Bass: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. Cold and good. Winter weather is finally here and the bass are responding to it.
Right now its rocks, clay banks and deep structure. The bass have been holding shallow on red clay banks which sets up for the crankbait and worm bite. A crawfish or red color Rapala DT6 is working well on both the clay and the rocks. Look for the sections that get the early sun for your early morning bite and then the areas that have wind on them for the afternoon bite.
A trick worm in any of the darker colors is working well on the rocky areas as well as blow downs and docks. When working the docks start in the 25-foot depth and work shallower to see where they are located on that day. Many of the worm bites you won’t feel but you’ll just see your line walking away. The deep bite is getting stronger with dropping water temperatures. This can be on deep humps or ditches with structure.
The shad are grouping up again so be sure to look for the bait in the areas you want to fish. The loons and gulls are true signs that you are in the right areas. A 3/8th Spot Choker underspin, white with silver back, with a 2/0 hook has been great to pair up with a 3/5 Keitech for working water less than 30 feet. The half ounce has been a great producer with a Super Fluke in deeper water.
As the fish lock down more with the colder water a Georgia Blade spoon is the choice. Working with your electronics is critical on the deeper fish. My Garmin LiveScope has allowed me to stay over these deep fish and see how they are reacting to my bait. If the spoon doesn’t get the bite then the drop shot is the next option. I like to use at least a 3/8th weight on this setup to be able to get down to the fish quickly, especially on windy days. Morning Dawn and Blue Lily have been the two most consistent producers recently.
Report by: fishing guide Phil Johnson, pjohnson15@hotmail.com, (770) 366-8845.
Stripers: Stripers are laying in the deep water at 50 to 80 feet of water. The temperature is 50 degrees and the bait is hovering down near the bottom. You won’t see many fish but drop down lines to the bottom and reel up a couple of turns, blue backs seem to be the action-getting method.
Locate the bait using your electronics and fish near the breaks in the bait schools. Haven’t seen top water yet but be ready for when they come up. Use umbrella rigs pulled 150 feet behind the boat at 3 miles per hour. You should be fishing approximately 23 feet deep so pay attention to the bottom and remember in a turn the turning side will drop faster so be aware of your turns.
And remember to wear your life jacket.
Report by: Buck Cannon Buck Tails Guide Service, (404) 510-1778.
Crappie: Crappie bite had been good but it’s a soft bite so keep a close eye on your line – you may see the line swimming away before the rod bends over. Minnows are working well. Recently the catch was 80% minnow’s, 20% jigs. The jig we had success with is white with black sparkle. We are setting the minnows 5 to 10 feet deep. This week we have had major temperature swings. The majority of the fish we caught were shallow over deep bottom. I have been targeting covered docks or enclosed docks and having good results. The fish tend to bite on the retrieval. I use ATX Lure Company’s jigs (www.atxlures.com). I use 5 pound test high visibility yellow k9 braid for my line unless I am using a bobber, then it’s the k9 6 pound high vis line (www.k9fishing.com) and a Piscifun reel on a Acc crappie Stix.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, (770) 530-6493.
All reports are from Ken Sturdivant’s Southern Fishing Report, www.southernfishing.com.
