LAKE LANIER IS .13 FEET DOWN FROM FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND THE CREEKS ARE STAINED IN THE BACKS & 49 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. The cold rain moved the fish back a little bit, but the warmer weather is scheduled to return as we approach the end of this week. 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 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: 28 and 29. I am also booking for April.

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 good. The weather last week with the colder temperatures and rain threw us a curve but the forecast for the upcoming week should get the fish and the fishermen up and moving again. 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 Captain Mack's 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke trailer while pulling baits will get you an extra fish. There is also an 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! There is a good night bite. Cast a Long A Bomber right up on the bank and work it back to the boat. Flat Creek and Balus Creek from the back to the mouth are good places to start. The lake is clear with the back of the creeks 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 good to excellent this time of the year. Water temperature is very critical. If you can find water temperatures above the mid fifties, it will work to your advantage. The trolling bite is good, using double rigged curly tails in a variety of colors. Try tipping some with minnows. This technique will result in bagging bigger fish. For dock shooters, the bite has been consistent all day long, targeting shallower docks, fifteen foot depths or less. As you start at a dock, you will notice you are catching the bigger fish. As they tend to get smaller, move on to another dock. As we mentioned in the past, you are competing with a large number of fishermen this time of year, so it is very important to keep moving if you are not getting bites. The secret to putting a lot of fish in the boat is to simply cover a lot of water. Keep moving! We’ve been asked the last several weeks, “what happened to the fish on submerged brush piles?” They have abandoned their brush and moved into shallow water, preparing for the spawn. Four pound high visibility line is very important. Your jig color should vary depending on the water color. The more stain, the darker the jig. Stay away from heavier jig heads. 1/24 ounce remains our number one choice. As we mentioned in the past, keep asking your friendly bait store to carry that type jig head. They tend to be difficult to find. We’ve been painfully avoiding the word “blow down”. Normally at this time of year, we target blow downs, but the water temperatures are not yet supporting that. Temperatures need to be around 60 degrees for a few days in a row, which we’ve not consistently reached. Watch for it though, it’s coming, and that will be the first sign of the spawn. Best blow downs are the ones that have been submerged a year or longer, in the backs of pockets. They’ve had a chance to build algae, which attracts the plankton, which attracts the bait so you get the picture. Stay safe on the water, 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 STRIPERS School. Call 770 889 2654 for details. Send an e mail to [email protected]