Lake level: .66 feet over full
Temperature: 60s
Clarity: Clear in main lake, stained in creeks
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The fish are in all stages of spawning right now with some already spawned and others preparing to on the next full moon. A variety of baits are working so it’s a great time to be on the water and fish your favorite technique. The top water swimbait bite seemed to slow down with the cooler night temperatures we have had but there are still fish to be caught that way. We’ve been throwing Red Fins, shallow running jerk baits and the Slick Stick Pro Series on flats and reef poles to catch fish.
It seems that while the fish are orienting to the flats you still need to have deep water (30 feet) nearby. A lot of the fish have been suspended over the 20 to 30 feet of water and while they will react to a jerk bait they won’t take it. If you run into this just put on a Pro quarter ounce Spot Choker with a prism blade and a keitech then count it down to them on the retrieve.
Another bait that has been producing fish is the fluke. It can draw a strike from the suspended fish as well as fish on docks and rock areas.
Right now start the day working shallow to very shallow and then back out if you need to. The worm bite is still a very effective way to catch bass also. Both a green pumpkin worm on a three sixteenths shakey head or a wacky rig worm are working well. Work the shakey head on secondary rocky and red clay as well as all around a boat dock. For a wacky rig work the shallow rocky points and the banks leading into the pockets.
As the water temperature heats up look for everything to break loose even more with top water coming alive. It’s a great time to be on Lanier so Go Catch “Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson. Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers on Lanier have moved up the rivers and the methods used are the planer board and flat lines have been the ticket.
Blue backs and shad are the preferred bait. Water depth is around 25 to 35 feet deep. Pull the umbrella rigs at .05 to 1 mph. Use your electronics, locate the bait, and start your pull and you should have stripers near.
Remember to wear life jackets.
Report by: Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service. 404 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie are still shallow. Check blow downs in those shallow waters. Look for shallow docks. The crappie are suspending under them at less than 10 feet. The majority recent catches came from jigs with dark colors.
Minnows are getting very few but I always take them with me just in case. Crappie love the shade so cast into the shadows or shaded areas of dock. When dock shooting the biggest fish are usually the first to bite.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton. 770 530 6493.
