LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 21.15 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 80’S


Bass fishing on Lake Lanier has been good this past week, although I was out of town for the Memorial Day holiday - too many nuts out there to fish! I fished last Thursday morning, and then a couple days so far this week. The fish are in still in their post-spawn "funk", but they are starting to recover and getting more active at times. The early morning bite for spots and stripers has been good with a variety of baits to include a swimbait and a topwater such as a Sebile, or a chug bug and a Gunfish. We have been working shallow humps and points with access to deep water. Fish are typically around areas with brush, but not always. The fish continue to move deeper each day as they make their way out to the summer brush locations. We are starting to see a lot of schooling fish in the early mornings over various types of structures, such as humps and road beds, with some of the activity being over deep water. Catching these fish, which are often big ones, requires a precise cast to the area of activity. Set up your rigs to make long casts to be ready for these situations. When the fun stuff bite slows down, switch to a worm on a 3/16 ounce Davis Shaky Head and work it slow. A Chattahoochee jig has continued to perform well also. Experiment with the different baits to figure out which the fish prefer that day. Focus on main lake rocky points and on secondary points as well. The brush is starting to hold fish all around the lake, and soon they will mainly be found on the man-made brush. Remember that the post spawners are often lethargic and will be for another few days. Slow down when the bite is tough and go to the worm, jig, or drop shot as discussed above. A fluke is often a good choice on these less aggressive fish also. The full blown all day top water bite is just days away. This will be a fantastic bite and not one to be missed. I only have a few days left in June, so be sure not to miss out on the fun! Here is what I have open in June: 21, 22, 28, 29, 30. Give me a call and let's go fishing! Thanks to all and May God Bless.

This report brought to you by Jimbo on Lanier 770 542 7764 www.jimboonlanier.com

This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing is good. Look for the fish to start moving south and over deeper water this week as the surface temperature warms into the 80’s. Free lines are working but this could be the last week as the fish will continue to move over deeper water and suspending 30 to 50 feet deep off points and humps. We are starting early with Blueback Herring and pulling weighted free lines with 2 to 4 split shots at various distances behind the boat. In addition, we are hanging 4 down rods over the side. The down rod bite is picking up and will only get better over the next week or two. Vary your down rod depth from 20 to 40 feet depending on the bottom and target points and underwater humps. Umbrella rigs are working when pulled at 60 to 80 feet behind the boat and target 30 to 50 foot bottom. You can also use the Umbrella rig to get a reaction bite when the Stripers will not eat. Fish your umbrella rig on points and flats half way back in the creeks. Flowery Branch, Two and Six Mile Creeks, and the Chestatee River from C1 to C10 are good places to start. The water temperature is in the low 80’s. The water is stained in the creeks and clear on the main lake. The lake is one foot below full pool. To book your Striper fishing trip or purchase a gift certificate 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. See our club’s website, www.laniercrappieanglers.net

Water temperatures are in the low eighties. For the avid crappie fishermen who don’t mind dodging the traffic on the lake, crappie fishing remains good. The early morning bite is best, from thirty minutes before daylight to about 9:30, longer if cloudy. Target deeper docks with structure below the surface, especially if you can find a dock with a sizeable brush pile just outside it, which is an added bonus. The docks that are producing have twenty to thirty foot depths, and are closer to the main creek channels. With this condition, these fish have the best of both worlds – the cover of the brush pile, then the shade of the dock during the middle of the day. If you can find a dock with an active beaver, that is even better, as fresh vegetation is continuous. Look for limbs and branches sticking out of a dock. Also target submerged brush piles in at least twenty to thirty feet of water. Fish the brush pile from all angles. This time of year, the fish are holding tight on the brush. Soft body and hair jigs are producing fish. Because the fish are deep, the sensitivity of the bite seems less, so watching your line is VERY important. If you see or sense any unusual movement, set the hook! For the night owls, bridge fishing is picking up. The sign of a good bridge is if you see dangling ropes from above. That typically means it is being fished by regular night fishermen. You will need a fishing light, and it can easily take an hour or two for the light to draw the bait and the bait to draw the crappie. So be patient, stay safe on the water, and wear your life jacket!

We have the LOWRANCE Gen 3 Touch and 3D NEW Lowrance Technology on our boat. Bring any HDS machine only to Lake Lanier and learn it ALL in one day. Call Ken for details.

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

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

On Saturday, June 11, 2016 1pm at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville, learn Georgia Best Bait, What bait to choose for local fishing LOWRANCE PRO STAFF, KEN STURDIVANT

Saturday, June 18, 2016, 2pm at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville, learn Fishing, Anyone Can Do It! Best equipment to have for taking friends or family fishing for the first time LOWRANCE PRO STAFF, KEN STURDIVANT

Saturday, June 25, 2016 2pm at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville, learn SONAR! LOWRANCE PRO STAFF, KEN STURDIVANT

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