Lake level: Full
Temperature: 80s
Clarity: Mostly clear
BASS: Bass fishing is good on Lake Lanier. It’s the time of year where a little bit of everything is working at the right time. There is still a top water bite going on over brush in 25 to 30 feet of water, long points and humps. The fish are often not directly on the brush so scan the area to find their location for the day.
Chrome Gunfish, Chrome Slick Sticks, flukes and Chug bugs have been the best producers for the top water bite recently. If the top water activity isn’t happening then the Spot Choker or the drop shot will produce fish. Use a quarter ounce Spotchoker with a three-inch paddle tail swimbait to work the fish around and over the brush. It’s important to stay off the brush far enough to be able to cast 10 to 15 feet past the brush. Utilize your forward facing or count the bait down to the depth of the fish and slowly retrieve this bait back. The drop shot is used either directly in the brush or around the edges.
On windy days a quarter ounce weight is good and on calm days a three sixteenth is fine. I’m using a 10-foot leader of eight pound fluorocarbon backed by 15 pound braid on a seven-foot six medium action rod. I prefer the size one drop shot hook with the built in swivels to prevent the line from twisting.
As the water temperatures continues to climb it will be necessary to work a little harder for them but they are still biting so Go Catch Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson, pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers are hitting the flat lines with weights and without on planer boards 30 feet behind the boards. Flat lines 80 to 100 feet back. Blue backs are the bait of choice. Using your electronics locate the bait and put your spread out.
Be sure to check your bait often as the water temperature is 82 degrees below Browns Bridge so they are very susceptible to the heat. Take some freeze sleeves and make sure they are lively.
I always have a down line just in case. Remember to wear your life jackets.
Report by: Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service 404 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie are in the summer pattern suspended 10- to 15-feet deep over a 30- to 40-foot bottom.
I have been having good luck with minnows on blow downs and under docks with structure.
For jig selection I am using green and black colored combination (ATX D2D) with a slow retrieval.
The gear I recommend for crappie fishing is a Acc crappie stix one piece rod and reel with a 4 to 6 pound test K9 line, along with Garmin Live Scope and Power Pole.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530- 6493.