LAKE LANIER IS FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE PARTLY STAINED & 46 DEGREES

Bass fishing is slow and things continue to be a little tough out on the pond. We look for the warm weather this weekend to really help the bite, so next week we should find some fish that have moved up, particularly in the backs of some creeks. Timber lines in 30 to 50 feet of water have continued to produce at times for us. Typically, a jig or worm has been our best offerings. Our most consistent fish have still been coming off of steep rock in 20 feet of water or less. Our best offering on the rock and around the timber has been the jig. The main key to getting bit right now continues to be a SLOW presentation. When you think you are going slowly enough, slow down. With the warming weather, we look for the jerk bait and crank bait bite to pick up soon. Now is a great time to learn fishing the transition from winter to spring. I have the following dates open next week: Feb 25, 26, 27, and 28. Give me a call and let’s go fishing.

This Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of Big Fish On Service 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing is fair. The good news is it looks like we can get on the water this weekend without freezing. Focus on creeks with birds and bait. Keep your eyes on your Lowrance electronics for fish and more importantly large concentrations of bait. Target long sloping points and flats with bait. Vary your flat lines and planner board lines from 15 to 120 feet back. Use split shots on some lines to cover a range of depths. The stripers are getting "locked in" on small threadfin shad so downsizing your bait will produce when they will not take a larger herring or gizzard shad. There is also an Umbrella rig bite on points and flats. Downsizing your umbrella rigs with 1/2 ounce jigs and pull them shallower and slower. We have had some reports of a night bite with Bombers, buck tail jigs and bait fished shallow in the same creeks you are fishing during the day. Flat Creek and Balus Creek have been producing and are good places to start if you do not mind the crowds.

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers’ Club. 404 425 4059

Crappie fishing is about average for this time of year. With water temperatures creeping up to the high 40’s, expect fishing to get better, even with rain predicted toward the end of the week. Rain will actually help warm the water temperatures further. In 20 foot depths, the fish are suspended at 12 to 15 feet around or under docks. Avoid the backs of the creeks. Docks close to the channel are producing more fish. Use chartreuse soft body jigs, either Mr. Crappie by Strike King, Bobby Garland’s Mo’Glo, or our all-time favorite, Jiffy Jigs JJ20, 1/24 ounce. Some of our members are catching them on crappie minnows using slip corks, so you can try that as well. The fish are tightly schooled, and if your bait misses the school (even by a foot), chances are they won’t bite at these temperatures. Electronics are very important. Side imagery and down scan by Lowrance help us locate the fish. Having said that, if you mark a large school of fish on your graph below 20 feet and you throw your jig at them with no response, chances are you’ve found a school of gizzard shad, so move on to your next spot. Be safe on the water, and always wear a life jacket. It can save a life! Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website: www.lakelaniercrappieanglers.com

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764