Fishing

Lake level: 1.2 feet over full
Temperature: 70s
Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained

BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is fair. Fishing has been tougher than it should be in recent days as the bass just can’t seem to get out their post spawn funk. Finding bass has not been the problem but getting them to bite has.

There has been some schooling activity but you need to be able to reach them while they are up. Once they go down they are moving fast to another area. The Herring colored or chrome Slickstick or a bone or chrome Skimmer have been the best producers recently when worked over structure in the 25- to 35-foot range.

This structure can be on humps, long points and reef poles throughout the creeks and main lake. The drop shot has produced some fish around the same structure with a Sweet Rosy or Morning Dawn drop shot worm. There are bass to be caught around the docks with a green pumpkin worm but they tend to be the smaller ones. Many of the bass caught are still showing the signs of spawning so it seems they are just a little slower to get going with top water. Go Catch ‘Em!

Report by: Phil Johnson. Contact: pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366- 8845.

STRIPERS: Stripers on Lanier are confused about what to do next because of the crazy weather. Water temps in lower 70s again and the rain showers have caused the bite to stay lower than normal. Once you get on the water the bite is still very strong for stripers, bass and catfish. Planer boards, flat lines and down lines are the methods using blue backs and gizzard shad.

It seems that 30 feet behind the boards seems to be the ticket and space your boards 40 to 60 feet from the boat. Flat lines 80 feet on one side and 100 feet on another. Troll between .5 and 1 mph. Make sure you change your bait often and the more lively the better.

Remember to wear your life jacket.

Report by: Buck Cannon, 404-510-1778.

CRAPPIE: Crappie fishing is good. The fish are in large groups under docks on open water and have been at depths of 8 to 18 feet above a 15- to 40-foot bottom. The jig color combo that worked the best for me recently was the white and chartreuse single tail 1.5 inch jig minnows over 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.