LAKE LANIER IS .49 FEET DOWN FEET, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE PARTLY STAINED & 49 DEGREES

Bass fishing has been improving over the past week with the warming weather. Hopefully, things will continue to progress again after this brief cold front pushes through. Fish can still be found in the back of creeks and on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels. A jig, a Davis Shaky Head and a jerk bait have been the most productive lures still this week. The dock bite is starting to pick up as well, particularly when the sun is out. Look for the docks in the 15 to 20 feet range at the front to be the best right now, and if brush is around, even better. Also, look for the rocky areas in creek that receive all day sun to continue to produce at times also. These areas still need to be next to deep water for the most part, although you can find activity in the backs of creeks and pockets in shallower water. Now is a great time to learn prespawn fishing on Lanier. We have the following dates open the remainder of March: 20, 28, 29, 31. Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up [email protected]


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


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 very good. Striper fishing is the best it has been all year in terms of both size and numbers. The break in the weather and increasing water temperatures has broken the fish out of their winter doldrums. The fish are relating to points and flats from the mouth of the creeks to all the way in the back of the creeks. Free lines with herring and trout 120 feet back and planner boards with bait at varying distances from 25 feet to 100 feet is your best technique. Consider adding one or two split shots which will help get your baits a little deeper. Casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke trailer while pulling baits will get you an extra fish. There is also a open water bite in the mouths of the mid lake creeks which defies traditional thinking of shallow in the backs of the creeks at this time of the year. Stripers have a way of throwing you a curve about the time you think you have them figured out. The message here is sometimes you have to fish where they are and not where they are supposed to be. The lake is clear with the back of the creeks slightly stained and the water temperatures are ranging from 50 to 54 degrees.

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, President of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. 404 425 4059

Crappie fishing is very good. The water temperature is a couple degrees cooler than normal for this time of year. The average temperature has been about 53 degrees. With the warmer days ahead of us, expect it to creep up to around 60 degrees by the weekend. The best thing going for us is the FULL MOON, which is due this weekend. Fishing should be at its best for the next few weeks. We’ve been catching a lot of fish! Your targeted areas should be the backs of creeks, fifteen feet and shallower. If you can find a creek where the water stain is apparent, these areas will be even better. Whether you are trolling, shooting docks or using crappie minnows, all are working well. This is the time to take off to go fish if you can (feel a fever coming on?) Always remember that the best way to catch crappie is to find their living room. Their “living room” is always some kind of structure shallow brush piles and shallow docks are favorite spots. With a lot of fishermen taking advantage of the weather, our advice is to move frequently. You never know if the spot has just been fished. If you don’t get a bite in a few minutes, move on. Take your kids, your grandkids, your wives, your girl friends everyone will enjoy crappie fishing like this. This is the time of year that it’s easier to catch them and therefore even more fun for all. Stay safe on the water, and always wear a life jacket. Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, www.laniercrappieanglers.com. Call Ken Sturdivant about the ON THE WATER SCHOOLS for Sonar or the Rods, Reels and Lures for Bass or a full day STRIPER School. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to [email protected]