LAKE LANIER IS DOWN .91 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 the conditions on the lake are once again changing. The rain we have been receiving has jumped the lake up another 2 feet since last week's report and we stand at just a little more than a foot down from full pool, a level we have not seen in well over a year. The backs of the major creeks are heavy stained to muddy, and the main lake below Brown's Bridge is still clear. The waters above Brown's Bridge seem to be carrying more of a stain. The water temps are on the rise in the areas where that have received the recent warmer rains we found 50 to 54 degree water back in some of the pockets and ditches this week. We switched our focus to shallow this week based on the changing lake conditions. The rising and warming water got some fish moved up in the shallows in the backs of creeks and pockets. A ChatterBait and a jerk bait were two of our best options this week in those areas carrying some stain. Most of the fish have been coming around those shallow docks, but little rocky points are holding fish as well. Focus on water 15 feet deep and less for this pattern. The timber edges in and around 30 to 40 feet are still holding fish as well. Hit these 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, targeting specific fish we see on the graph. A drop shot is also working on these deeper fish I have been favoring minnow imitations lately, like a fluke. The spoon bite is still there on some days as well, so make sure to keep that in your arsenal and ready for action. It just depends on the day, so be flexible in your choices. The steeper rock points and banks on the main lake and in the creeks have been productive at times also. 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. Look for the fish to be shallower in these areas on sunny days, and deeper on cloudy days. 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. Also of interest, in the afternoons of sunny days, we have found some biting fish in smaller, shorter pockets close to deep water. These fish have been in 15 25 feet and often around docks. Look for the areas that are protected from a north wind and get lots of sun. This pattern is just like an early spring pattern, so think in those terms as you pursue it. Sun and warming water is the key. It's still a great time to learn the deep winter bite and really learn the keys to catching fish when the bite is tougher. While the catch rates for trips this time of year is not as good as others, I believe the learning opportunities are at their best right now. And don't forget, that fun pre spawn bite is just around the corner, so reserve your date now! Following is a list of my upcoming open February: 21, 23, 24, 26, and 28. Give me a call and let's get out and learn these deep winter fish as well as the early pre spawn bite!

This report brought to you by: Jimbo Mathley Jimbo on Lanier www.jimboonlanier.com





Based on the Fish and Gamer Forecaster, the middle morning is good and there is a very good to excellent midafternoon feeding period this weekend.


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. The rain this week has raised the water level over two feet to 1.03 feet below full pool. The water temperatures have increased to the low 50’s. The Striper bite has improved this week and should only get better assuming the warmer temperatures hold. The rain and increase in water level has muddied the water in the back of the creeks and has driven the fish out towards the middle to the mouth of the creeks. Free line Herring has been working early on points with deep water nearby. Look for the fish to move to the deep water humps and trees off the creek channels as the day progresses. There is also an Umbrella rig bite. Use the Umbrella rigs to target fish suspended at 20 to 30 feet over deep water humps and points. Flat Creek, Four Mile Creek, Six Mile Creek and Balus Creek are good places to start your search. The water temperature is in the high 40’s to low 50’s and the lake is 1.03 feet below full pool. The water is lightly stained on the main Lake and heavily stained in the back of 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 Club. See our club’s website, www.laniercrappie.net

Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50’s. That is 10 degrees higher than last week. The backs of the creeks are heavily stained, and that is where you find the warmest water temps. The lake level went up about a foot in the past week, and the floating debris is abundant all over the lake making navigation hazardous. Be careful, as some logs are water logged and below or even with the water surface. Fishing conditions have improved, but the number one question I get asked is “where is the bait?” A handful of creeks are showing signs of bait. Unfortunately, the overwhelming majority of the bait that survived the cold are hanging in the channels in deep water at up to 110 foot depths. Sooner than later the bait will shallow up. With the trash floating and wedged in docks, we are having a hard time getting our jigs past the trash to sink it is very challenging. But homeowners had to bring their docks in with the rising lake levels and some of the brush piles that are usually underneath the docks are now on the outer edges of the docks. Take advantage of those locations as they are much easier to fish. With these water temperatures, you can’t help but think the pre spawn is here. The crappie are looking for food and are shallowing up for the spawn. Darker jigs are still recommended in moderate to heavily stained water. Fishing should get easier over the next few weeks, so get out on the water, enjoy the warmer weather and catch some fish.

Stay safe on the water and wear your life jacket.


Based on the Fish and Gamer Forecaster, the middle morning to one pm is the best period this weekend. After lunch, fishing will be slow.


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.


We recommend Spider Diapers for your protecting your boat in your dock.
www.shadetreefabrics.com 800 972 8057


We 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 270 703 613