Lake level: Full
Temperature: 80s
Clarity: Mainly clear
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The bass are located in their summer hangouts which are humps, long points and ledges with structure in the 25- to 35-foot range and over the last week the top water bite has gotten much better for these bass.
The Chug Bug and Gunfish have been very productive especially if there is some wind on the areas. The bass will often miss on the first strike so don’t yank the bait away from them but just keep working it for the follow up strike. A Fluke and a Slick Stick have also produced some fish around and over the structure.
Once you’ve tried topwater on a spot get closer to the structure and use a drop shot to target the bass both in and around the area. The Blue Lily, Morning Dawn and Sweet Rosy have all been good colors. A three sixteenths Shakey Head with a green pumpkin trick worm has produced fish around the docks but be sure both the shady areas and under the dock. The key depth for the docks has been the ones in greater than 15 feet of water. It’s a typical summer pattern right now with the top and drop approach but be prepared to run multiple areas to find the fish that want to bite. If you can take the heat the bass with definitely cooperate, so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson; pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers have been caught mid lake to the dam. The water temperature is high 80s and the bait is scattered so using your electronics look for humps and drop offs. Most of the creeks have fish that are in the back early and as the sun rises they will move out to deeper water. Downlines and planer boards are still producing using blue backs. Lead core and Capt. Mack’s umbrella rigs are producing. Run them back eight colors on the lead core. White trailers seem to be favored but try different colors. It changes daily. Remember to wear your life jacket.
Report by: Buck Cannon; 404-510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good. The fish are on standing timber and open water brush also in large groups under docks in the shade. The deep fish are biting better than the shallow fish on docks. Crappie have been at depths of 20 to 35 feet above a 25- to 40-foot bottom. The jig color combo that worked the best for me recently was the green and chartreuse single tail 1.5 inch jig. Minnows have been working well over deep brush.
For your best fishing experience consider using the following equipment: a one piece ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel paired with 4 or 6 pound test K9 line with a Atx lure company jig. Further optimizing your efforts, a Garmin LiveScope, protected by a sonar shield cover, and a Power Pole are highly recommended.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton; 770 530-6493.
