LAKE LANIER IS .15 FEET DOWN FROM FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND THE CREEKS ARE PARTLY STAINED & 49 DEGREES

Bass fishing is fair. Things have improved over the past week with the warming weather and warming water. Some fish have started to move up into the back of creeks and on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels. A jig, jerk bait, and crank bait have been the best offerings of late in these areas. Look for the Fish Head Spin bite to come on strong soon as well. Look for the rocky areas in creek that receive all day sun to continue to produce as well. These areas still need to be next to deep water for the most part. The Now is a great time to learn prespawn fishing on Lanier. I have the following dates open next week: March 4, 5, and 7.

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

Striper fishing is good. The Striper fishing is picking up as the lake temperature begins to increase. The fish are beginning to move around in the creeks in search of the warmest water and the greatest concentrations of bait. Points and flats half way back in the creeks to all the way back are your best bets. The fish will eat Herring but they are primarily feeding on smaller Thread Fin shad. Threads or medium minnows on lighter leaders (8 or 10 pound test) and #4 hooks can get you an extra bite when the herring bite slow. Flat lines and planner boards have been the best technique. Use split shots and various distances from the boat on some lines to cover a range of depths. There is also an Umbrella rig bite on points and flats. Try 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. If you are not crazy about fishing with crowds there are fish in every creek with bait.

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

Crappie fishing is good to excellent. Our best technique right now is shooting docks. The fish are moving shallower by the day. Water temperature is still critical to crappie fishing, and sudden changes can slow the bite. By the time this report is read, our water temperature should be in the upper 50 to low 60 degrees. Of course, take this as you would the weather man’s predictions. Target the docks in 15 feet of water or less. With this warm spell, the females are roaming and checking out their spawning areas, but are not ready to spawn yet. They are chasing bait and fattening up. If you happen to be in the right spot, you’ll find that catching them is easy right now. They’ll eat whatever you put in front of them. You may need to move quite often to find them. Remember the females are carrying our future crappie stock, so ESPECIALLY this time of year, keep what you are going eat and practice catch and release. When shooting docks, we can cover 20 or more docks until we hit the jackpot. Some of our club members are catching them in great numbers. Chartreuse is a favorite jig this time of year, whether soft body or hair jig. We’ve been experimenting with many different colors and most are working. If fishing with a partner, each should use a different color. That will help you determine which color is getting the most action on that day in the area being fished, then you can switch to it. Use no more than 1/32 ounce or 1/24 ounce jig head. The fish are suspended 5 to 10 feet in 15 foot bottom. As you start catching them, they tend to shallow up. If you’re not familiar with “shooting docks”, come to the Lanier Crappie Anglers’ club meeting and learn the technique. Always wear a life jacket, and be safe on the water.

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

Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, http://www.lakelaniercrappieanglers.com/