LAKE LANIER IS FULL, THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & CREEKS ARE SLIGHTLY STAINED & 74 DEGREES

The surface temps on Lanier have skyrocketed over the last week with all the warm weather. We have seen an 8 degree swing by my calculations. The spawn is now in full swing and there are also several post spawn fish showing up as well. There are still 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 as will a fluke. The main lake fish are moving up shallower on the points and humps and are also spawning in those same places. In addition, in many of the same type areas the spots are spawning, the blue back herring are spawning as well. Great choices to fish the herring spawn: fish head spin, spinnerbait, wake bait, jerk bait and a fluke. Also, top water baits such as a popper are starting to work as are many other options. Throw these baits when you see schooling fish, which may or may not be related to the herring spawn. The dock bite is good right now also. Davis Shaky Head and worm combo, Senko’s or a fluke around the docks are still your best bet. I have the following dates left open for the month of May: 22, 27, 29, and 30. I am also booking for June which is traditionally a great top water season and a great time to go spot tail minnow fishing!! Give me a call and let’s go fishing!

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 only thing that has changed this week is the fishing seems to be getting better each week. The primary pattern continues to be the creek mouth and main lake points. The Stripers are starting to move out into a little deeper water, still off the points, but over a 30 to 50 ft bottom. Consequently, the spotted Bass are less of a problem. A few fish are being caught with the Red Fin but the bite is not strong. We have not seen any fish surfacing this week but keep your eyes on the water as things change very fast this time of year. We are fishing with a single board on each side and 3 or four free lines out the back. By using only one board per side and three to four free lines we can maximize the number of baits in a given area and decrease my turning radius. One fish on a given point seems to be rule for me as the fish spook while we are getting the first fish in the boat. If you catch a fish on a given point or flat think about revisiting that same area later in the day. We have been using herring and have had some reports that the gizzard shad bite has slowed. The key is keeping baits in the water and focus on points. There are fish lake wide. We caught fish on the south end and mid lake this week and have had good reports of fish on the north end of the lake.

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. Water temperature is approximately seventy five degrees and rising. There are still a few fish lingering, but most have abandoned the blow downs and the shallows, headed to deeper docks. The more docks you target, the more fish you will catch. If one is not producing, move on to another one. Don’t forget to look for docks with structure below. We’ve been catching good numbers of fish targeting docks in fifteen to twenty five feet of water, mostly three quarter pound to one and a half pounds in weight. When you start catching smaller fish, move on. Also, some fish are moving to submerged brush piles in fifteen to twenty feet of water. The top of the brush piles about 10 feet below the surface are producing best. Locate them on your graph, throw down your buoy and fish the whole brush pile by circling your buoy to find the best angles. Stay off the brush about thirty feet, cast your jig past the brush pile and retrieve slowly while shaking your rod. This will give the jig more action. You will get most of your bites ten feet below the surface either directly over or slightly to the side of the brush pile. If you’re into night fishing, target bridges using a hydra glow light. This will attract bait, and the crappie will come to feed under the light. The bridges that are producing well are Six Mile Bridge, Wahoo Creek Bridge and Clark’s Bridge. An extra advantage of those three bridges is that they are in sight of the boat ramp. Our preferred bait is still one twenty four ounce soft body jigs or hair jigs. Fish are aggressive, so the color doesn’t seem to matter, but if the bite slows, switch colors. Crappie minnows also are producing. May is a good month to catch fish in numbers. With the full moon, the bite should be excellent, so take advantage of it! Be safe on the water! 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, www. laniercrappieanglers.com

We have a new Bait Shop on Buford Dam Road at the Buford Dam Quick Stop at 2595 Buford Dam Road. Open daily from 6 to 6, Marty Kenney has Herring and other baits like shiners ready to go to the lake. Please call him at 706 867 5102 and say hello.

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]