LAKE LANIER IS UP .83 FEET, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND & 81 DEGREES

This Lake Lanier Bass report is from Jimbo Mathley. www.jimboonlanier.com 770 642 7764

Bass fishing is good. The bait and fish are starting to group up a little better and the fishing has improved as a result. The brush has really been holding well this past week. The pending seasonal transition, consistent sunshine, along with the steady current created when the Corp of Engineers is pulling water through the week all attribute to their position around and in the brush. In the mornings, we have been opting for a Strike King 6 XD crank bait over shallower rocky points and humps on the main lake, sometimes with brush and sometimes not. A drop shot seems also to be a good option as the fish and bait are concentrated near the bottom in the early morning hours. This bite seems to be better when the wind is up in the mornings. The top water and swim bait bite has been very good this week and should continue to stay strong for the next few weeks. A Gunfish, a Chug Bug and a Sebile have been good choices when the sun is out. Of course, this bite is also better with the sun up. The new Sworming Hornet Snack Sized Herring has been a solid performer as well. We have also been fishing the Wackem Sissies in Lanier Candy on a drop shot rig around the brush. My September is booming and I only have a few dates left this month: 13, 17, 20, and 24. Give me a call and reserve your September date soon. Call Ken Sturdivant about the ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar or the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass or a full day STRIPERS School. Call 770 889 2654 for details.

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

Striper fishing is very good. What a difference a week makes! The fish are now awake and figured out it is summertime. We are seeing schooling fish and suspended fish at 25 to 40 feet over a 50 to 120 foot bottom. The trolling bite has turned on and both the umbrella rig and lead core is working. Run your umbrella rigs from 130 to 150 feet back at 2.75 to 3.0 MPH. Set your lead core at 8 to 9 colors with a Captain Mack's 1 ounce jig tipped with a white or chartreuse 4 inch shad body. Down rod fishing with herring is also working and if you can find a school with the Lowrance Structure Scan technology, the action is non stop. We are using 6 to 7 foot of 12 pound test Seaguar fluorocarbon line as a leader and a 1 or 1/0 Gamakatsu Octopus hook depending on the size of the herring. Focus your fishing on the mouths of the creeks from Flat Creek to the dam. We have not seen any fish in the main lake channel but it may be worth a check on you next trip. We are not sure how long this pattern will last as this has been a non typical summer with all the rain and cold temperatures.