LAKE LANIER IS UP 1.88 FEET, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND THE CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED AND & 81 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. The lake jumped up another 2 feet this past holiday weekend with all the rain. Even so, the fishing this past week has remained excellent. The top water and swim bait bite has continually improved and we have once again had some banner days on top this past week. We have been starting our mornings, however, in the backs of creeks. There has been a good bite back in some creeks and main lake pockets first thing in the morning. A popper or a prop bait can be a good choice for these fish. Look for the fish to be SHALLOW. Once the sun gets up, the top water bite has been great over the brush in the 20 to 30 feet range on both points and humps. A chug bug and a Sworming Hornet Bite Size Herring Swim bait have remained the best offerings for these fish. When you cannot get the fish to come up, go down to them with a Fish Head Spin, a Dude, or a skirted jig. The fishing is awesome right now on top water baits and swim baits at every stop. Next week I have July 17, 18, and 19 available. Call me to book an exciting top water and swim bait trip. 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.

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

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

Striper fishing is good but requires a lot of work. The Stripers are everywhere and nowhere! We caught fish over 40 foot bottom off points, in pockets over 40 to 70 foot bottoms and in creek channels over 100 foot bottoms. The problem is the Stripers are not on their typical summer time pattern. They are scattered across the south end of the lake in ones and twos. This makes finding them a challenge and requires a lot of graphing with your Lowrance Structure Scan. Your best bet is check pockets off the creek mouths and the main lake. If you see one or two fish go ahead and drop some herring down. You will not find any big schools. We are using a 6 to 7 foot 12 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader tied to a main line which is 20 pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line with a swivel and a two ounce slip weight. Change herring every 15 to 20 minutes. Lively bait is critical when fishing down rods during the summer months. We have caught few fish on umbrella rigs and lead core this week but down rods are still your best bet. Running and gunning on points is also a good technique. Pick a point and work it from 40 to 70 feet deep. Give it 20 minutes and if no luck move to another point. This technique has been working up until 9:30 in the morning. Because the fish are moving one place south of Browns Bridge is just as good as another.