LAKE LANIER IS 3.2 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & 83 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. We have been working top water and swim baits fast over brush in 20 to 30 feet of water. A Sworming Hornet Bite Sized Herring and a Sebile have been our best choices on the swim baits and a Gun Fish and a Chug Bug have been best on the top water side. The wind definitely helps this bite. There are some fish holding out deep, so don't hesitate to try them on the drop shot rig. That 40 to 45 area foot area at the old timberline seems to be best. We have noticed a lot more fish holding out in that area this week. Look for the singles and doubles to drop on as they will most likely be your best fish. I only have September 26 open this month, but have some dates open in early October. The bite is good right now! 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.bigfishon.com

Despite the full moon and having Bananas on board the fishing last week was very good and should remain so with the stable weather conditions. The pattern remains the same with the mouth of the creeks from Orr Creek to the Dam as your best bet. Blue back herring on down rods at 50 to 80 feet down over a 90 to 130 foot bottom is the top producer. We are rigging our down rods with a 2 ounce weight and a 7 foot, 12 pound test Seaguar fluorocarbon leader with a Gamakatsu Octopus hook number 1 or 1/0 depending on the size of the herring. Buck tail jigs with a 4 inch shad body with lead core line at 8 to 9 colors is improving and almost as effective as bait. White has been the preferred color for the shad bodies on both lead core and umbrella rigs. Umbrella rigs at 170 to 190 feet back will work but most of the fisherman are using lead core. Flowery Branch, Big Creek and Two mile Creek are good places to start. The lake temperature is in the low 80's in the morning and low to mid 80's in the afternoon. The water is lightly stained in the back of the creeks and clear on the main lake both north and south.

Anglers stop by the new Bait Shop on Buford Dam Road at the Buford Dam Quick Stop at 2595 Buford Dam Road. Open daily from 6 to 6 they have Herring and other baits like shiners ready to go to the lake. 706 867 5102

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