LAKE LANIER IS 1.1 FEET BELOW FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE AND CREEKS ARE CLEAR & HIGH 40’S

REMINDER: I will be hosting a 3 and 1/2 hour training classes on the morning of January 31st, 2015 at the Dekalb Office Conference Center in Alpharetta, Georgia. This will be an intensive, Lanier focused class addressing these areas: In depth review of Lowrance Electronics with Lowrance Expert, the one, the only, Ken Sturdivant. Also, Ken will review specifics in the area of reading and understanding electronics and I will be addressing fishing the winter to spring transition, tournament preparation, as well as establishing seasonal patterns. We only have just a very few spots remaining for this seminar. Don't miss out! The price for this one Seminar will be $85. Call or email me NOW to register: jim@laniermapped.com, 770 542 7764.

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

Bass fishing is fair. There have still been fish shallow as well as in mid depth and deep ranges. The ditches with standing timber in 45 feet or more should be your first check. Check for bait in these likely areas. If there is no bait, move to the next ditch. Start shallower in 15 feet or less with a Spro McStick or a 1/4 ounce SuperSpin. A spoon, a Chattahoochee Jig, a Shaky Head worm, and a drop shot are all good potentials out deep. Focus on timber edges and work your baits SLOWLY! As the water continues to get colder, the slower your presentation should be. This is a great time to learn how to fish the deep timber on Lanier. How and where to find the most productive timber, how to fish it, and with what lures. Here is what I have open next week: January 28, 29, and 30th. Give me a call and let's go bust some fish!

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. The lake temperature is high 40's and the water is lightly stained on the main lake and the backs of the creeks. The lake is one foot below full pool. The typical winter fishing technique during the winter months of pulling live bait on free lines and planner boards is working when pulled in areas with large concentrations of bait. This technique is clearly the most fun way to fish in the winter. There is nothing like watching a planner board screaming across the water with a big striper on. Herring has been the most productive bait with small trout and Gizzard second. If you are pulling baits always try to keep someone on the front deck casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke. The umbrella rig is still working when pulled across points and flats. Our stripers are scattered all over the lake from Shoal Creek to Little River. Stripers can be found in pockets and on points from the back of the creeks to the mouth. They should be more concentrated in the back of the creeks this time of year but that's one of the challenges of Striper fishing. They are not always where you think they should be. However, there is one key that seldom fails; find the bait and fish there. One of the questions we often get asked is "when is the best time to go Striper fishing". Being guides we always respond with "anytime you can" The reality is this is true! There are many conditions that affect the fish biting or not biting and you cannot rely on any one condition. Lake conditions both temperature and dissolved oxygen content, moon phase and barometric pressure are the factors most often discussed.

We have posted an article explaining the effects of barometric pressure on our web site. The following is the link to the article.
http://www.bigfishonguide.com/2011/07/using barometric pressure and the thermocline for striper fishing/

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, Member of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. See our club’s website, www. laniercrappieanglers.com

Crappie fishing is good. The water temperatures are ranging between forty six to forty eight degrees. On a sunny day, you will see a mild jump in the temperature later in the day, but as night falls it begins to dip. The pattern is simple: locate the bait, and it will lead you to the fish. Shooting docks is one of the best methods to put fish in the boat. Target docks at the mouths to the middle of creeks in eighteen to thirty foot depths, with the bite occurring at five to ten feet below the surface. Docks in river channels at the same depths are also holding fish. After locating fish on docks, your biggest challenge will be dealing with all the debris from the extended rain that has gotten wedged between boats and docks. You may have to pass on fish to find docks with less debris. The more docks you target, the better your chance of catching fish. We have been using darker color jigs, taking into consideration the water stain. Four pound high visibility test line is important. This is not important for the fish, but for you to see the movement of your line to immediately respond to the bite. Soft body jigs are definitely working best for us. This also makes it easier to shoot your jig in the dock, as it skips the water better than a hair jig. Historically, the water temperatures dip down to the lowest points during the next month. This will make catching fish more challenging, but always remember that fish have to eat, and the females are fattening up in preparation for the spring spawn. So don’t hesitate to bundle up and go wet a line! Be safe on the water and wear your life jacket, it can save your life!

The Forsyth County Parks and Recreation department will host an “Outdoor Fun Festival 2015” on April 25, 2015. The location will be the Caney Road Park in south Forsyth County off Highway 141. See the web site at www.outdoorfunfestival2015.com. Call 770 887 2217 2217 Carrie Toth or cmtoth@forsythco.com for all the details and vendor options.

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