LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE STAINED IN THE BACKS & 53 DEGREES

Bass fishing is very good. The warm weather has arrived. Hooray! Fish can still be found in the back of creeks and on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels. Fish are starting to move up, albeit very slowly, more slowly than you think given the very warm days we have been having. A Davis Shaky Head and a jerk bait have been the most productive lures still this week. The dock bite is starting to pick up as well, particularly when the sun is out. The deeper docks have been more productive for us this week. Look for the docks in the 20 to 25 feet range at the front to be the best right now, and if brush is around, even better. Also, look for the rocky areas in creek that receive all day sun to continue to produce at times also. These areas still need to be next to deep water for the most part, although you can find activity in the backs of creeks and pockets in shallower water, and this should continue to get stronger. Now is a great time to learn prespawn fishing on Lanier. I have the following dates left open in April: 15, 22, 24, 25, 29, and 30. I am also booking for May. Give me a call and let’s go fishing.

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

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 good and should be improving as the warming water temperatures gets the fish up and moving. The boys will be looking for girl friends and the girls will be looking to pack on the weight. Shallow water flats, long soaping points, and reef markers in the creeks will all become Gizzard and Threadfin Shad magnets and the fish will roam these areas looking for a big meal. Free lines with Herring, Trout and Gizzard Shad pulled on boards will be the primary technique. Pull you "bank side" board within a foot or two of the bank where possible. Vary your trolling speed from .75 mph to 1.5 mph which is a little faster than you have been pulling cold water. Do not hesitate to move out to deeper water as the sun gets high in the sky. Stripers will stage off deep water points and chill out after feeding. Spring is a great time to fish especially after the winter we have had this year! Don't forget to take a DAD fishing.

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

Crappie fishing is great. The water temperature is 60 plus degrees and rising. THE SPAWN HAS BEGUN! Some of the fish have already laid their eggs and are moving out. Not all fish spawn at the same time, so anticipate the spawn to continue the next two to three weeks. Higher water temperatures will speed up the spawn. Target the blow downs. A blow down is a fallen tree partially on the bank, partially in the water. To determine the size of the tree, look at the trunk of the tree and compare it to a standing tree. That will give you an idea of the height of the tree, and therefore the length submerged. Make sure you fish all the angles, including the middle of the tree. Those fish relate to structure, and they’ve found their living room! Obviously, not all blow downs produce fish. The longer it has been in the water, the better chance of it producing fish. Target pockets in the middle to the backs of creeks. You can use crappie minnows as well as hair jigs. You may want to try using a weighted cork. Cast it into the blow down and pop it slowly as you retrieve. If you are a dock shooter, as Uncle Si says, “it’s on like Donkey Kong!” This method is working EXTREMELY well! This is the time of the year that you can put your limit in the boat. The more spots you fish, the more fish you will put in the boat. Always, when you start catching the smaller fish leave that spot and go to the next pocket, or the next dock. The fish are aggressive now, and are not picky on jig colors. Our favorite line is Mr. Crappie four pound test, high visibility line. We find that wearing polarized sunglasses is very helpful in enabling you to see your line movement. Get out and fish! It is the best time of the year! Wear your life jacket; it can save your life.

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

Call Ken Sturdivant about the ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar or the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass or a full day STRIPERS School. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com