LAKE LANIER IS .77 FEET UP FROM FULL POOL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED & 64 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good and we have had a great week for numbers with 25 to 30 fish a day as our average. The fish can still be found in the back of creeks, on secondary points at the mouth of creek arms as well as pockets near the main creek channels and in the back of creek arms. There are many fish very shallow in the weed lines in the backs of creeks and pockets. A small jig head and worm combo will catch these fish. The main lake fish are moving up shallower on the points and humps. A Davis Shaky Head, a jerk bait, and a Fish Head Spin have been our best weapons for the main lake fish. The dock bite is still there, particularly when the sun is out, and is getting stronger. Look for the docks in the 10 to 20 feet range at the front to be the best right now, and if brush is around, even better. As the water continues to warm this week, look to those shallower docks to be better producers. Jerk baits, worms, flukes and Senko’s will be your best bet around the docks. There are some fish bedding now, but I don't believe the main wave of spots has gone on bed yet. Look for this to happen soon as we are finally forecasted to maintain a long stretch of stable, warm weather. I have the following dates left open in April: 28, 29, and 30. I am also booking for May and those dates are going quickly.

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 remains "up and down". The lake temperature is ranging from 62 in the morning to 67 degrees in the afternoon. The water is heavily stained in the back of the north end creeks and river channels. South end creeks are lightly stained as is the main lake. It is good one day and not so good the next day. The key is on bright sunny days try to get your fish early. Once the sun gets high the sky the fishing gets tough. On a cloudy days with some wind the bite can last all day. The fish have moved up shallow on points and flats from half way back to all the way back in the creeks. Cover as much water as possible with planner boards and free lines. Set your bank side board 10 to 15 feet back and increase the distance behind your deeper water boards. Add a split shot to a couple of lines to cover as much of the water column as possible. I have been using mostly Herring but have had some reports of success with Trout and Gizzard Shad. I am not marking many single fish and no multiples. Don't bother trying to mark fish just keep “baits in the water”. We have not had any reports of top water action but we should see some action within the next week or two. Again, the key is keeping baits in the water and pull flats and points. There are fish in every creek from the South end to the North end. Try not to fish with a lot of other boats. The fish are very spooky and if someone catches a fish the odds are the group will move out of the area.

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

Crappie fishing is good. Water temperatures are hovering around sixty degrees, and the bite remains good to excellent in the backs of creeks. Pretty much everything is working. Whether using crappie minnows or a jig under a cork, cast your bait or jig through the weed lines and retrieve slowly. Some blow downs are still holding fish in pockets and backs of creeks. Shooting docks remains the best method of catching the bigger fish. (Check out last week’s fishing report for a detailed description of the dock shooting technique.) Target docks in twenty feet of water or less that have some type structure below. The fish are also moving back onto submerged brush piles located in twenty feet of water or less. Your electronics can be very helpful in locating that type structure. We’ve been catching fish on docks and brush piles pretty much all day long. Blow downs and weed lines are doing better in the mornings and late in the day. Jiffy jigs or Bobby Garland soft body grubs with 1/24 ounce jig heads remain our number one choice. Get out there and fish while fishing is good and before the lake gets busier in the summer! Wear your life jacket; it can save your life! Dan Saknini is an avid fisherman and President of the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. See our club’s website, http://www.lakelaniercrappieanglers.com/