LAKE LANIER IS 3.3 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & MID 70’S


Bass fishing is good. Autumn is progressing nicely on Lake Lanier and the fish love it. Top water and swim baits worked over brush in 20 to 30 feet of water has still been producing. A Sworming Hornet Bite Sized Herring and a Sebile have been our best choices on the swim baits and a Gun Fish, a Chug Bug, and a Zara Spook have been best on the top water side. As always, a breeze helps. The jerk bait bite has continued to grow stronger. This bite is just starting and should improve even more as the weather continues to cool. There are definitely more fish and bait moving shallow, but this process maybe delayed a bit as warm weather returns over the next few days. Next week I have October 13, 14, and15 open. Also, I have the afternoons of October 16 and 17 open. The bite is really good right now and we are having a blast!

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 but the techniques we use to catch them are changing. As predicted the "turnover" is in full swing. When the lake surface temperatures drops into the low 70's and below the hot surface water layer and the cold lower water start to mix. The Stripers are now free to roam the entire lake versus their deep cold water refuge in the southern end of the lake. This "mixing process" normally takes 1 to 2 weeks depending on the weather. We have seen a few fish busting bait on the surface but in most cases the surface activity is short lived. We should see the top water bite kick in over the next two weeks. "Running and gunning" points and reef markers with top water baits and free lines with live Herring will start producing some exciting action. Keep your eyes on the water looking for surfacing fish and always keep a top water bait tied on. Traditional top water baits includes the Red Fin, Chug Bug, and Spook. Always keep a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke tied on and use it along with the top water baits. Pull up to a point or reef marker, put out a free line Herring 50 feet behind the boat and work the point with a top water bait and a buck tail. Use a fast retrieve with the buck tail to simulate a fleeing bait fish. Do not spend a lot of time in any one area. Run to the next point and repeat the process. When you catch a fish take note of the type of point; long sloping, deep water etc: Use your map to target similar points or structures. The whole lake is opening up and you are no longer restricted to the lower end. A good number of fish will begin to move north.

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