LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE PARTLY STAINED & 44 DEGREES

Bass fishing is barely fair. The cold water has made the fishing a little tough the last few days, but a nice warm up is on the way over the weekend and should get the fish moving again. Over the past week, we have been focusing on two types of areas for our fish. Timber lines in 30 to 50 feet of water have continued to produce at times. Typically, a jig or worm have been our best offerings. Our most consistent fish have still been coming off of rock or rock and clay mix and have been fairly shallow. Our best offerings on the rock and clay have been a jig, a shaky head, and a Fish Head Spin. We have also been experimenting with the Float and Fly technique and have boated fish on this as well. The main key to getting bit right now is a SLOW presentation. When you think you are going slowly enough, slow down. This is a great time to come out and learn winter fishing in cold water, both deep and shallow. Also, a great time to learn the Float and Fly. This is lots of fun and a great way to catch fish during the shad kill we currently have going on. If you don't know these techniques, they are certainly valuable tools to add to your winter fishing arsenal. We have the following dates open next week: Feb 10, 11, 12. 13, 14, 15. Give me a call and reserve your date NOW! For fishing reports on other Georgia lakes, please visit: www.southernfishing.com

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

Striper fishing is fair. What a pleasure it is to fish without ice in the bottom of the boat. Fishing has picked up but cold fronts that roll in continue to make fishing inconsistent. The fish are starting to move up shallow on flats and long sloping points. Focus on creeks with birds and keep your eyes on your Lowrance electronics for fish and more importantly large concentrations of bait. Target these areas with bait and Umbrella rigs. Our stripers are getting "locked in" on small Threadfin shad so down sizing your bait will produce when they will not take a larger Herring or Gizzard shad. Weighted flat lines 100 feet back are probably working best but putting out a spread of flat lines, boards, and downs rods is always a good idea as things change day by day and even hour by hour. Try downsizing your Umbrella rigs with 1/2 ounce jigs and pull them shallower and slower. There are fish in every creek lake wide but Flat Creek and Four Mile Creek are always good places to start if you do not mind fishing crowds. 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. Send an e mail to [email protected]

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