LAKE LANIER IS FULL, MOSTLY CLEAR, SOME POLLEN & MID 70’S


Spotted bass fishing is very good. The Herring spawn has been our focus out of the gate each day as it offers some great early morning action. A spinnerbait, a wake bait and a swim bait have all been good on the shallow rocky and sandy areas where the herring generally spawn. The floating Spro BBZ1 Swim bait is a great choice as well. Top water like poppers and walkers are starting to work on these fish also. After the sun gets up some, move out a little deeper on those same places with a 1/8 ounce Davis Shaky head and finesse worm combo. Work the bait slowly as the focus is on post spawners, and many of them are still quite lethargic. The slow presentation is key for these fish. Some of the earlier spawners are further along in the post spawn process and becoming more active. These fish can be taken on top water and swim baits. Most of these fish are still fairly shallow. 15 feet seems to be the key depth. Finally, the brush is also holding some post spawn fish as well. Top water works on some days on these fish, as do swim baits, wake baits, and flukes. Lots of choices! I am fully booked for May. Here is what I have open in June right now: 8, 9, 10, 18, 22, 25, 26, 29, 30 June is an incredible month for top water and those days will go fast! Give me a call and get your date booked soon!

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764

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

Striper fishing is very good with large numbers of fish being caught. Last week we caught Stripers of all sizes, Catfish, Spotted Bass and a GAR over 4 foot long. All of the fish were in the same area. Not only are the fish biting but every technique we tried worked. Blueback Herring and Gizzard shad pulled on free lines, down rods, top water baits early in the morning, and Umbrella rigs all produced. Fish un weighted free lines in the morning and add a couple of split shots and move to deeper water as the day progresses. Start with down rods at 20 feet and adjust the depth as you mark fish. Pull the Umbrella rigs at 60 to 80 feet behind the boat and target 30 to 50 foot bottom. We also spent some time pitching Herring to points and reef markers; what a hoot! All you need is 8 to 10 dozen herring, a spinning rod with 12 pound test line and a hook. Pull up to a point cast the herring out and work it back slowly. Change the Herring every third cast. Do not waste your time with a half dead bait! The south end of the lake is heating up and will only get better as the water continues to warm. Fish points and flats half way back in the creeks. Flowery Branch, Bald Ridge Creek, Shoal Creek and Two Mile Creek are all good places to start on the south end. The water temperature is in the high 70’s during the day. The water is stained in the creeks and clear on the main lake. The lake is at full pool.

To book your Striper fishing trip on Lake Lanier call Big Fish On Guide Service at 404 561 2564 or contact us on our web site. www.bigfishonguide.com

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, member of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. For more information, see the club’s website at laniercrappieanglers.net
Crappie fishing patterns continue to hold, remaining good to excellent around docks with structure and on submerged brush piles from the middle to the backs of creeks. If you have favorite crappie fishing spots, they should be producing well now. Just keep in mind that there are a lot of fishermen fishing this time of year, so if you don’t catch fish quickly, move on, as that spot may have just been fished. Jig colors still do not matter. For the night fishermen, this is the time of the year to consider fishing under bridges, using Hydra glow lights with crappie minnows. Six Mile Bridge, Wahoo Creek Bridge, and Clarks’ Bridge are our favorites. All 3 are in deep water, within sight of boat ramps, and are holding fish. For those that like bluegill fishing, they are still on bed and biting well. The smaller fish are aggressive, though, and are getting to the bait before the larger fish that are still on bed. Crickets are the best bait for bluegill. Take advantage of the month of May. This is one of our favorite times to fish! Stay safe on the water, wear your lifejacket!

Our “On the Water” Schools are Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass, SONAR and we have a Striper schools. Learn how to use the Lowrance Structure Scan and Down Scan technology. Call 770 889 2654 or see the details on our web site for more info and dates.

For a free set up sheet for your sonar, send me an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com

PRODUCT FEATURED THIS MONTH Take a look at these new stickers for tackle boxes www.highwaterscreations.com

Stop by www.gon.com on the forum page for current events.

SONAR SCHOOL: NOISE REJECT Leave off, press enter.

Anglers have these books for sale BASS FISHING ON WEST POINT LAKE, BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL, BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE, and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books have lots of bass fishing and covers every week of the year. Each book $39.00. If you would like a sample of any book, send us an e mail to ken@southernfishing.com.

We offer these waypoints for sale. You get the coordinates and you load them into your GPS unit
Lake Allatoona for $99.00, Lake Lanier for $99.00, Lake Oconee for $99.00, Lake Weiss for $99.00, Lake Hartwell for $99.00 WAYPOINTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE!

Our mailing address is Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge, Cumming Georgia 30040. 770 889 2654