LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 5.4 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 80’s


The weather is starting to cool again this week as it seems we may be in for an early fall. The lake levels have dropped slightly from last week, and the fishing has been consistent. The report for this week has again not changed much from last week as in general, the patterns remain about the same. Each day is different however, and fish have different preferences in accordance. Remain flexible in your approach. You can catch fish from 15 feet all the way out to 40 and beyond depending on what techniques you prefer. Some days, those bigger fish are out in deeper water (30+) and if you want quality, you need to spend the time out there with the likes of a drop shot or flutter spoon. With all that said, we are still getting some quality fish around brush on off shore structure such as points and humps. We are still seeing a good schooling bite most mornings and it has been lasting upwards of 2 hours. A smaller swimbait has worked well this week on the schooling fish. Also, a Spybait is a good option as well when the fish are on the move but not eating your larger offerings. Throw that little thing out and let it sink to about a 10 count, then SLOWLY retrieve. On the top water side, a chug bug, a Gun Fish, a whopper Plopper, and a fluke have been my main choices for top water, and a Sebile for a swimbait. Focus on offshore structure with cover, such as brush on humps and points, for this approach. We are still concentrating on brush in 18 to 25 feet of water, but as I mentioned above, the deeper stuff, up to and including timber edges in 35 to 40 feet on the same type structure, is holding fish as well. In general, focus on the areas that offer close proximity to much deeper water. Those areas will now hold the best numbers and size of fish. We continue to use the Lanier Bait offerings with good success on the drop shot. Apparently Fruity Worms do rule! Make sure to rig your drop shot with 6 or 8 pound test Seaguar Fluorocarbon in Invizx or Abrazx. Here are my upcoming available dates: August: 29. September: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15. Fall is coming and so will be that awesome top water and swimbait bite. Don't miss it, schedule your trip now! Give me a call and let's get out and have some fun! Thanks to all and May God Bless.

This Report brought to you by: Jimbo Mathley, www.jimboonlanier.com 770 542 7764





This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Magdalena of Big Fish on Service 404 561 2564. www.bigfishonguide.com


Striper fishing is good. We caught fish last week with live bait, Umbrella rigs and Lead Core line. There is an abundance of bait in the lake this year and the fish are picky and can be difficult to get to bite. We have been experimenting with 8 and 10 pound test leaders and longer leaders up to 12 to 15 feet. While we have not concluded we are getting any extra bites with the lighter and longer leaders we are experiencing more line breaks and more fish getting into the trees; especially the big fish. Having your drag set correctly is critical when using 8 and 10 pound test leader. Also, with the lake down 5.5 feet expect to get into the trees when you loosen the drag to accommodate the lighter line. We recommend you use 12 pound test leaders 6 to 8 feet in length. If you want to experiment tie up a down rod or two with lighter line and longer leaders and compare success rates. If the bait bite slows we are switching to trolling umbrella rigs and targeting main lake and creek mouth pockets. The umbrella rig worked well this past week fishing areas like pockets that require a lot of turns versus lead core line that is 280 feet behind the boat which makes quick turns difficult. We are using “heavy” Umbrella rigs consisting of a 3 ounce frame and 9 one ounce chipmunk jigs with white or chartreuse 4 inch shad bodies. Set the umbrella rigs 130 to 150 feet back and trolling at a speed of 2.8 to 3.2 MPH. The lead core bite in lake and creek channels has slowed some this week. Orr Creek, Two Mile Creek, Six Mile Creek, Shoal Creek and Big Creek are all good places to start your day. The water temperature is mid 80s. The water is stained in the backs of the creeks and clear on the main lake. The lake is 5.6 feet below full pool. To book your guide trip call Captain Ken at 404 561 2564 or contact us on our web site. www.bigfishonguide.com


On Saturday September 30, 2017 2pm at Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville learn BASICS OF ELECTRONICS BY LOWRANCE PRO STAFF KEN STURDIVANT


Meet Lowrance Pro Staff, Ken Sturdivant at Bass Pro Shops for the Guide & Outfitters Day on September 23, 2017 at the store in Lawrenceville, Georgia. This event is from noon until 5pm.


Ask for a free sonar set up sheet by sending me an email to ken@southernfishing.com. Please tell me what model machine you have.


We recommend Overboard Designs for 2956 Waterworks Road Buford Georgia 30518 Phone 678.714.7122.


The Advantage Boat Center in Cumming Georgia offer sales service and storage close to Lake Lanier. 678 771 8745. Ask for Myra.


We recommend Transducer Shield and Savers. Protect your investment.


We have the LOWRANCE Gen 3 Touch and the game changing technology in the NEW 3D Lowrance Technology on our boat. Bring any HDS machine only to Lake Lanier and learn it ALL in one day. Call Ken for details. See our Southern Fishing Schools page for the latest screen shots of the LOWRANCE 3D technology. See bass over a ladder in 10 feet of water 168 feet from my boat. www.lowrance.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 for 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


Ultrex and Cable Guard protects external Transducer cable for remote control trolling motors. The cable guard will allow the transducer cable to turn kink free and the shaft can be raised or lowered without pinching the cable. No more messing with cable ties or black tape. For Factory Direct Pricing contact Precision Sonar at 270 703 6133