LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 5.1 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR THE RIVERS ARE MUCH COLDER AND HEAVILY STAINED. 50’S DOWN LAKE AND 40’S UP LAKE.


Well, we have been tasting some winter over the past week or so. Brrrrrr! The surface temperatures are down to around 49 degrees in the lower lake. There is still some stain in the creeks in some areas, but overall the water on the lower end looks good. We have been seeing some more ditch activity this week both deep and shallow. Out deep, the timber edges in and around 40 feet have been productive with a Picasso Shake Down Head and worm combo. We have been dropping directly on the fish we are seeing on the Lowrance electronics. Casting in these areas can also be effective, but the drop down has been best. Try the SPRO McStick in shallower areas in the ditch, particularly in the mornings. The steeper rock points and banks on the main lake and in the creeks have been productive as well. The Picasso Shake Down head/green pumpkin worm combo along with a Chattahoochee Jig have done well in these areas. We have been presenting these baits very slowly in these steep rock areas. We have caught fish this week from 10 feet deep all the way out to 60 feet. It just depends on the spot and the activity level of the fish. Cloudy weather seems to push them out deeper, but when the sun is out, they seem to be up shallower. So, stay flexible. When the wind is up, try your SPRO Little John DD on the rocks as well for some fish. Don't expect a lot of bites, but some good ones. Don't miss the opportunity to throw a SuperSpin in the same places as well. It's a great time to learn winter fishing and the ditch bite! Following is a list of my upcoming open dates January 15, 16, 17, 18, 23, 24 and 25. Give me a call and let's get out and catch some fish.

This report brought to you by: Jimbo Mathley Jimbo on Lanier





This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Big Fish On Service. To book your trip call Captain Ken at 404 561 2564 or contact us on our web site. www.bigfishon .com


Striper fishing is fair. An arctic cold front is due this weekend bringing extremely cold temperatures; again! Pay attention to the wind and dress warm. Most of the fish have moved into the creeks. The critical tools for finding Stripers in January and February are the Double B's (birds and bait). Not every creek will be holding Stripers but if you locate the creeks with bait and birds the Stripers will be there. Check out the creeks for bait and keep your eyes on the water in search of actively feeding Sea Gulls and Loons. Keep in mind that the shallow water flats on the sunny side of the creeks will heat up during the day and attract bait fish. Pulling baits on these "sunny" flats can be very productive. The "go to" technique during the winter months is pulling live bait on free lines and planner boards. Herring, gizzard shad and small Trout are all good baits but do not hesitate to downsize to medium shiners if you see signs the fish are feeding on small thread fin shad. Set your trolling motor speed between .3 to 1.0 mile per hour. Vary the distance of your baits behind the boat/boards and the weight on your free lines to cover a variety of water depths. We use split shots to weight some of our free lines. When you find the best distance, weight and speed replicate those settings to the majority of your lines. Also, try to keep someone on the front deck casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke. As always, the winter time “go to creeks” are Flat Creek, Four Mile Creek and Balus Creek. However, the creeks with high concentration of bait will hold fish. The water temperature is in the mid 40’s and the lake is 5 feet below full pool. The water is clear on the main Lake and lightly stained in the creeks. To book your guide trip call us 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

The weather got better, and we hit the ground running to lake! Current water temperature is 46 degrees, a little colder in the upper reaches of the Chattahoochee and Chestatee Rivers. I was asked a great question several days ago to clarify the definition of “channel docks”. There are 2 main river channels on Lanier, the Chestatee River and the Chattahoochee River. The docks entering and beyond the mouths of the creeks are NOT channel docks. We typically refer to these as “docks from the mouth to the backs of creeks”. The docks we refer to as “channel docks” are on the main channels of the Chestatee and the Chattahoochee. They are usually docks with deeper water, and are currently your best choice for catching crappie now. 1/16 ounce jig head is a good choice with Mr. Crappie, Bobby Garland or Jiffy Jigs. This is a heavier jig than we normally use, and will sink faster. If you can locate fish close to those docks on your downscan, try dropping a minnow with a number 6 long shank Eagle Claw hook, but substitute a 1/16 ounce jig in lieu of a split shot. With the jig on the top about 16” above the hook, you may get lucky and double up. The fish are still holding tight to the structure and are not willing to chase the bait. Your presentation must be in their face to get the bite. Deer season is nearing the end, so you may see more fishermen on the lake.


Stay safe on the water and wear your life jacket.


Hammonds Fishing Centers, Cumming Georgia manager Tim Hawkins has 7 great products to help knock down some cold weather. Gill Simms Jackets for $299.00 and Gill for $199.00 Bibs, Gill waterproof gloves for $44.99, Gill Performance Fishing Gloves for $25.00, Simms Beanies for $29.00 and Gill Face Shields from $29.00 to $32.00. Their phone number is 770 888 6898


We have all the details for our On the Water SONAR school on our web SCHOOLS page. We have the LOWRANCE CARBON and 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 158 feet from my boat. www.lowrance.com


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.


We recommend Transducer Shield and Savers. Protect your investment.


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


The 2018 Progressive Atlanta Boat Show is January 18 through 21, 2018 will be at the Georgia World Congress Center. Come by the Let’s Go Fishing Center for hourly Seminars as listed on our web site.


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 270 703 613