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

Bass fishing is good. 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 in pockets or the back of productive creek ditches 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: Feb 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7

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, GA. 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

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 to mid 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. However, we have spent more time this week watching the wind blow than fishing. When the weather keeps you off the water, take the opportunity to maintain your equipment including lubricating your reels and changing the line. Clearly the most critical item is your line and knots. The main line on your bait rods should be changed a minimum of once a year. The leaders should be checked for nicks every time you catch a fish and changed every time you go fishing. Always use quality line. This may sound like an overkill but with all the money we spend fishing, quality line is well worth a few extra dollars. We use Seagar fluorocarbon 20 pound test for our main line and 12 or 15 pound test for the leaders. The typical winter time technique of pulling baits on planner boards and free lines mid way to all the way back in the creeks is working and remains the primary method. There are also some smaller fish on points and humps in the mouths of the creeks and can be caught with umbrella rigs pulled 80 to 90 feet back. There are fish in every creek from Shoal Creek to Little River. Flat Creek and Balus Creek are always good places to start in the winter. As always fish the creeks with high concentrations of bait fish.

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.

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