LAKE LANIER IS 3.5 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & MID 60’S

Bass fishing over the last week has been good and we have been enjoying some heavy sacks. Things are starting to change out there and some new patterns are emerging. The lake continues to drop steadily and is now almost 3.5 feet down. This draw down should help the bite over the next few weeks. The lower the better this time of year. While the lake does not actually turnover until late December, the stratified layers of water are beginning to mix. The lower lake still looks good in most areas, but there are definitely some cloudy areas north of Browns Bridge. Look for this phenomenon to continue throughout the fall until the lake finally flips in late December. The morning bite has been good this week on a jig, a Mega bass jerk bait, a spinner bait, as well as several different crank baits. Focus on rock and clay points in the mornings with the aforementioned lures. Look for bait in the area you are fishing. If there is no bait, move on. The Davis Shaky Head has been producing some bites as well, so don't hesitate to throw the green worm out there if the bite slows. Fish are often in 15 to 20 feet or shallower when they are active. There are still some schooling fish around main lake humps and points. It is tough to bring them up right now but the top waters will work when they are up chasing bait. Keep a top water bait like a Sammy rigged up to toss into these schoolers when you see them. A jerk bait and a Fish Head Spin work as well for these fish. The brush on the main lake is still holding in some areas and the fish are there and will bite. Look for the areas that have quick access to deep water to be the best. The dates I have open next week are: November 10, 12, and 14. This is a great time to learn the fall transition and how to keep up with these fish when they go on the move.

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. Despite the cold fronts, there are fish being caught lake wide and in the rivers. The focus continues to be on points and underwater humps this past week but look for the action to move into the creeks from the mouths to half way back in the creeks. The technique will also begin to change from a "run and gun" technique to "straight line" trolling of baits covering as much water as possible in creeks. The free line bite will also begin to pick up as the lake temperature continues to fall. Set your free lines back 70 to 100 feet with a Herring or Trout and pull at .5 mile per hour. Try a small split shot on one of your lines and vary your trolling speed to locate your baits at various depths. If you are using planner boards set your bank side outside board at 15 to 20 feet behind your board and the inside boards at 40 to 50 feet behind the boards. Always hang a couple of down rods over the side when you are pulling baits. In addition, put someone on the front deck throwing a Capt. Mack's buck tail jig; you may pick up an extra fish or two. Umbrella rigs pulled at 3.0 miles per hour and back 80 to 120 feet over main lake points and humps is still working but the numbers has slowed considerably. A few spots and small stripers are being caught on top water but it is very slow and we have basically given up on a fall top water bite. Fish are being caught lake wide. However, mid lake from Vann’s Tavern to Gainesville Marina is probably your best bet this week.
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