Lake level: 1 foot below full
Temperature: 80s
Clarity: Mostly clear
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is fair. The bass are still in their late summer patterns and places.
The majority of the bass are located around structure in 30 feet or more of water. The ends of long points, humps and ledges have been the most consistent areas to target recently. Many of the fish are suspended around and over the structure so the Spot Choker and the Spybait have been very effective in targeting these fish.
Once you have identified the depth of the bass cast these baits past your target fish and let it fall to the right depth. Run the Spot Choker steady by the fish and if one moves to look at the bait speed up your retrieve to imitate a fleeing minnow. For the Spybait, let it drop to the correct depth and reel it just fast enough to maintain the depth of the fish. Don’t overwork the bass on the Spybait since you are dealing with both light line and small hooks. The dropshot with either a Morning Dawn or a Blue Lily worm has been producing some fish around the deeper brush. It may take a few minutes to get them to react but once one does it seems others will start biting also.
There has been some topwater action, mainly in the morning using a Skimmer or IPop. The wind seems to help both of these baits. A few fish are still being caught on a shakey head with a watermelon green worm around the docks in 20 feet or more of water. You may have to stay moving to find the bass they will bite but they are still there so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson: pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers are schooling in deep water, they’re looking for oxygen and food. Most creeks connected with the river channels in deep waters are likely to produce.
Downlines to 70 to 90 feet with blue backs seems to work. Jigging spoons and buck tails will also help and keep in mind that shining baits will attract more fish. Trolling can be effective methods, too. Lead core 280 feet back with 1.5 ounce jigs will work at 2.5 to 3.5 mph or Captain Mack’s umbrella rigs trolled 120 to 150 feet behind the bait. Always have a retriever on board because of the tree attraction.
Remember to wear your life jacket and stay hydrating with water.
Report by: Buck Cannon: 404 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good. The fish are active early in the morning before sunrise. Standing timber in 30 to 40 feet of water has been producing but not in big numbers.
Get a few and move to the next spot. 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 black with a green paddle tail 1.5 inch jig.
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 an 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.
