Lake level: Down 6.5 feet
Temperature: 80s
Clarity: Clear
BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The weather is slowly cooling off and so is the water. The true fall patterns are just around the corner. The bass for now are still scattered around the end of long points and humps in 25 to 35 feet of water but can be scattered anywhere over the deeper structure. Wind has been a key to triggering strikes from the bass over recent days. The Riser, Gunfish, Skimmer and Chug Bug in the chrome patterns have all produced both numbers and size. The chartreuse Fluke has also worked well if the fish don’t want to come to the surface.
Scope the bait balls using a three eights Spot Choker with a three inch trailer to target the bass scattered around the bait. It’s critical to lead these bass in the path they are going while keeping the bait slightly above them on retrieve.
Once they react, speed up the retrieve to get the strike. Don’t overlook the shallow bite, particularly during low light conditions.
Work a Frog, Buzz Bait or a worm around the shallow structure and docks back in the pockets. You may not catch a lot but there are some big spots and largemouth roaming shallow.
The next few weeks will bring in the fun fall fishing after the heat fishing we’ve been going through so get ready to enjoy the fun of Lanier.
It’s cooling off so Go Catch ‘Em!
Report by: Phil Johnson; pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.
STRIPERS: Stripers have been schooling at the mouths of the creeks: Six Mile, Young Deer, Baldridge, and Big Creek has been producing. Downlines over 50- to 80-foot bottom at 30 to 50 feet deep using blue backs. Flat lines and planer boards have also been producing. Trolling lead core and umbrella rigs have been hit or miss, lead core pulling Mini Macs and the underspin jigs at 250 feet behind the boat at 2.5 to 3.5 mph. Umbrella rigs back 130 feet at same speed. Pulling over submerged islands and humps will pick up a fish or two, just be aware of the depth.
Remember to wear your life jackets.
Report by: Buck Cannon, 404 510-1778.
News: Captain Josh Thornton is hosting a Fishing with Everyday Hero’s Fundraiser on Oct. 15, 2026 at 7 p.m. The event will be in the ball room of the Holiday Inn in Dawsonville. Dinner is included with a $25 ticket. Raffle prizes: 10 guns and fishing gear. Sponsor tables are available. For more information contact Josh Thornton, 770 530 6493.
