Lake Level: Down one foot
Temperature: 70s
Clarity: Clear main lake, creeks stained
BASS: Bass fishing has been fair to good. The bass are slowly coming out of the post spawn funk they have been in. We’re catching fair numbers of fish but most are in the two and a half pound class with some larger ones mixed in. Many of them still have bloody tails and sores on them from the spawn.
Many of the bass are still in the 15-foot or less range but they are starting to make the move to their summer areas off shore. There has been a mixed bag of baits that have produced fish. None of the baits are a major “go to” yet but that should change shortly. The Spotchoker Pro Model three eights ounce has been on the deck in recent days and will stay. We’re throwing it with a two eighth Keithech on it and working it on flats and long points with just a slow steady retrieve. There has been some topwater action with the stripers coming up to play also.
To catch these bass we have been throwing either a top water walking bait like a spook or a Slick Stick Pro Series swimbait in herring or chrome color. These two baits will also draw strikes on long points and humps. A pearl Super fluke rigged weightless is also beginning to draw strikes particularly in rocky areas and blowdowns.
On windy days the white spinnerbait worked on banks and blow through’s has produce some big bites. The key right now is to keep moving and be versatile with your selection of baits. As the bass heal back up from spawn look for the topwater and swimbait bite to really pick up things should be really getting good so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by Phil Johnson: Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers are finally starting to move on top and throwing your favorite plug might not work. Most fish are up and down so fast but if you use a sinking plug to get below the surface you’ll probably have a better chance to hook up. The bait is scattered from Young Deer Creek to Ada Creek. Use the mapping on Lowrance electronics and concentrate on areas that connect with the channels. Points can also be productive pitching herring with small spilt shot and a spinning rod and reel combination.
Flat lines and planer boards are still effective using blue backs. Remember to wear your life jackets.
Report by Lake Lanier striper guide Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service, 404 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie are moving back to deeper brush. Look for shallow docks less than 20 feet deep with structure or brush. The crappie are suspending 12 to 15 feet deep. Minnows under a bobber have been working well over blow downs. A recent color that’s been producing is the electric chicken chartreuse with pink bottom or a gray hair Jig. 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.
