Lake level: Down 7 feet
Clarity: Mostly stained
Temperature: 50s
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. On the lake right now you can see fish schooling, chasing shad in five feet of water and find fish in the ditches at 40 feet of water so several baits are working. For the first hour in the morning head to the backs of the pockets in 15 feet or less of water with either a quarter ounce Spot Choker or a Jerkbait that runs less than six feet deep.
The bass will begin to move out of the pocket as the sun rises, so move out with them to the first structure in the ditches. If you locate bait balls in the ditches that is a bonus but there are likely to be bass scattered anywhere in them. For the bass that you are able to get directly over use a half ounce silver spoon to drop straight down on them and vertically bounce it about a foot at a time. To cover a ditch or ledge area well begin with the boat in 50 feet of water and make long cast with a three eighths Spot Choker down the middle of the ditch or drop off of the ledge. Load either a three-inch Keitech Easy Swimmer in either Electric Shad or Clear Silver Glow colors on the Spot Choker. Work this bait slowly along the bottom on a steady retrieve. Once you feel the strike or it feels heavy, don’t set the hook hard but rather give an easy pull and speed up your retrieve.
On windy days there is still a spinnerbait or crankbait bite on the windy rocky areas of the lake with the bass being in less than 15 feet of water. A DT10 or a white spinnerbait with silver Colorado blades will draw the strikes. If you prefer to drag a bait, work a three eighths brown and chartreuse jig with a cinnamon pepper twin tail trailer around and under the docks in 15 feet or less of water. Be sure to work all the way back on the walkways to draw extra strikes.
The winter patterns are setting in and it’s a great time to be on Lanier for some big spots so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson (770) 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Lake Lanier Stripers are enjoying the cold weather and they are finally starting their top water bite so be prepared for the birds hovering over the bait.
Having your favorite lure tied on is a plus. I have seen them from Ga. 369 bridge up to Laurel Park so you might want to check your gas level in your boat, its cold out there and you don’t want to be stranded. Downlines are still catching fish and the smaller baits have been the preferred ones. Gainesville Creek has been loaded with bait and the umbrella rigs is a great searching method. We are pulling the 9 rig unit 100 to 130 feet behind the boat at 2.5 to 3.5 mph.
Keep your eyes open for change in depth and always have your retriever handy. Wear enough clothes to keep warm and always wear your life jacket.
Report: by Buck Cannon. (404) 510-1778.
CRAPPIE: Lake Lanier crappie fishing is good. The crappie are suspended in open water at 5 to 8 feet deep in open water and on deep water docks. Minnows are working well and the jig color of choice is d2d by ATX lures. Its a 1.25 inch flat tail, green in color.
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 with a Garmin LiveScope.
Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, (770) 530-6493.
