Fishing

Lake level: Down 4.4 feet
Temperature: 60s
Clarity: Clear main, cloudy creeks

BASS: Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is good. The lake is still off color as the turnover effect is still going on. As typical with this time of year and with the turnover happening fishing trends swing from one side to the other.

With the colder weather the turnover should be ending and the water temperature dropping which is the combination for the start of true winter fishing.

For now, the bass can be caught a variety of ways from top water to spooning. There is still some top water activity on the Riser or the Ima Skimmer but this action is definitely slowing down as the bass are moving more into the winter locations which makes finding the shad even more important.

For early mornings, the ditch bite is starting to pick up using either a spoon or a three/eighths Spot Choker with a three-inch Cast bait worked down through the ditch.

There are some bass already in the deeper 35- to 40-foot areas with structure and shad that can be caught vertical jigging a spoon. A green pumpkin or watermelon red Senko on a three/sixteenths Shakey Head is working around the deeper docks and on rocky points. A three/eighths jig in the brown and chartreuse colors with a rootbeer trailer has also been working in these same areas. The drop shot bite is still working around the structure in 30 feet of water and on the ledges.

As you can see you can pick from several patterns to catch the bass right now so be prepared to try different patterns and different areas. They’ll still bite so Go Catch ‘Em!

Report by: Phil Johnson; Pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.

CRAPPIE: Right now the crappie fishing is absolutely incredible! The water temperature is at a perfect 62 degrees, and the crappie are super active big schools of them hanging out around 10 to 20 feet deep, above the deeper parts of the lake at 18 to 30 feet deep.

Live minnows are working like a charm! We can jig them up or if you prefer a more relaxed approach, we can use rod holders near underwater brush piles and other spots where they like to hang out.

To make things even better, consider bringing an ACC Crappie Stix rod and reel with 4 to 6 pound test K9 line. A Garmin Livescope (with a sonar shield to keep it safe!) will really help us find those fish. A Power Pole will keep the boat steady and in the perfect position.

Report by: Captain Josh Thornton, 770 530-6493.

NEWS

• Ken Sturdivant, Southern Fishing Schools Inc., will host fishing classes at the Aquarium at the Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville, at 2 p.m. Dates: December 14 and 28. Events are subject to change without notice.
• The 2025 Atlanta Boat Show is January 9-12, 2025 at the Georgia World Congress Center. The “Let’s Go Fishing” Seminars are set. For times and details of the seminars visit www.southernfishing.com.