LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 1.1 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR & 50’S

Bass fishing is good. We experienced a cold front early this week that really dropped the water temperatures. We had been averaging in the low 60's but now just the mid 50's in the lower lake. The largemouth had started to bed, but now have pulled off and only a few remain. As the water continues to warm back up, we expect to see a return of the bedding Largemouth as well as a resumption of the normal pre spawn spotted bass behaviors. Keep a close eye on your Lowrance electronics for water temperature readings and note the areas that are trending warmer and focus on those as we proceed with the re warmup. The warmer water will attract bait and therefore fish to these areas. A jerkbait has been our first choice in the mornings. The focus with these baits should be fairly shallow in pockets and in the backs of creeks, as well as shallower rocky points and humps, both in creeks and on the main lake. When the jerkbait bite slows down, switch to a worm and a Chattahoochee jig in these same places. Toss these around points at the mouths of spawning pockets and on secondary points as well. The dock bite is still there and dependable on most sunny days. Skip a worm or a creepy crawler on a jig head or a weightless Senko around and under docks in 10 20 feet of water when the sun is up. Docks represent a classic staging area for the fish on Lanier. We have already seen several fish up shallow cruising and hanging around the docks. Shallower, long running flat points are starting to hold fish as well. Often these fish can be found in the 10 15 foot depth ranges on top of these points. Work a Chattahoochee Jig or shaky head worm slowly on these areas. A jerkbait has been productive on these shallower rocky points as well, especially for some bigger fish. Again, other than early morning, wind is important for this bite. The Largemouth are up shallow all around the lake. Look in the backs of creeks and pockets to find these critters. Docks in these areas are a good bet for these fish. A number of lures can work depending on the conditions, but all the normal fare are good choices. I look for a fluke to play a big role for the shallower fish and the dock fish in the next few days as we once again warm up. We found a good spinner bait bite shallow in the pockets late last week before the cold front hit. I look for this to return soon as well. Keep testing the blade bite, it should be here again soon and should be good. Here is what I have remaining open March: 31. April: 1, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18, 26, 27. The best is yet to come with the bite this spring. Give me a call and let's go fishing.

This report brought to you by Jimbo On Lanier 770 542 7764 www.jimboonlanier.com

This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Captain Ken West and Captain Mike Maddalena of www.bigfishonguide.com

Striper fishing has been good this week. The cold temperatures, a drop in barometric pressure, high winds and a full moon did not slow the fishing. This just reinforces the old saying that the best time to go fishing is any time you can. Over the years we have learned that if you wait for the peak fishing conditions you will miss out on some great fishing. Your best bet is to not to over think fishing conditions and approach each outing as this is going to be a great day. A positive and confident attitude is very important in your fishing success. Spring is here and the fish are in pre spawn and aggressive. Blueback herring, gizzard shad and trout are all working on unweighted free lines 80 to 100 feet behind the boat. Fish your planner boards with un weighted lines 35 to 50 feet behind the board. Keep your trolling motor speed between .6 and 1.0 miles per hour. As the Sun gets up add split shots to your lines to vary your baits depth in the water column. The Blueback Herring have been small, so don’t forget to downsize you hook. We are using Gamakatsu Octopus hook size #2 and #4. Focus half way back in the creeks and pull baits over a 20 to 50 foot bottom. The Umbrella rig is working. Set your Umbrella rigs at 50 to 70 feet behind the boat and pull at 2.6 to 3.3 MPH anywhere you see bait at 0 to 30 feet deep. Flat Creek, Six Mile Creek, Balus Creek, Thompson Creek, Bald Ridge Creek and Little River are all good places to start. The lake temperature is in the low to mid 60’s and the water is clear on the main lake and stained in the backs of the creeks. The lake is at full pool. To book your guide trip call us at 404 561 2564 or contact us on our web site. www.bigfishonguide.com

This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini member of the Lanier Crappie Angler s Club. See our club s website www.laniercrappieanglers.net

Water temperature is an average of 61 degrees, with some spots in the backs of creeks marking a few degrees warmer. Fishing remains good to excellent. We are in the middle of the spawn, and the bite is good throughout the day, with overcast days working to your advantage. Try fishing blow downs and the weeds in shallow water, using a popping cork and a curly tail. Minnows will also work if you prefer live bite. You will notice that you are starting to catch some darker fish, (males) in the shallows, as some of the females have pulled away from the spawning areas toward deeper water around docks. We’ve been catching fish as shallow as one foot away from the bank. Docks in fifteen feet or less are still producing bigger fish than in the shallows. The best method for fishing the docks is shooting your jig in toward the darkest part of the dock. Of course, crappie are structure oriented fish, so finding a dock with some type of structure below will be helpful. Your Lowrance side scan will assist in this. Hair jigs and Bobby Garland soft body jigs with a straight tail are both working around the docks. As we mentioned before, there are two ways to learn how to catch crappie: first, time on the water, or second, you can join the Lanier Crappie Anglers Club. We have seasoned fishermen who will share tips to help you learn how to fish for Crappie, and it’s a great way to meet others who share a passion for Crappie fishing. Be safe on the water as the lake is getting more crowded! Wear your life jacket, it can save your life!

Lowrance HDS Gen3 software is now on www.lowrance.com. Here are the highlights: TotalScan™ Skimmer® Transducer, Precision 9 Solid State Compass, SiriusXM® Local Weather Feature (North America only), Network Analyzer and Service Assistant

Lowrance Gen2 Touch update is now on www.lowrance.com. Here are the highlights: Precision 9 Solid State Compass, SiriusXM® Local Weather Feature (North America only), Network Analyzer and Service Assistant

We have the LOWRANCE Gen 3 Touch and 3D NEW Lowrance Technology on our boat. Bring any HDS machine only to Lake Lanier and learn it ALL in one day. Call Ken for details.

Ken Sturdivant Lowrance Professional Fishing Staff will be conducting FREE Sonar Seminar at Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Lawrenceville Georgia on Saturday March 26 2016 at 2pm. Seminar is subject to change without notice. Be sure to see the NEW Lowrance machines coming on www.lowrance.com

For a free set up sheet for your sonar send me an e mail to [email protected]

Anglers have these books for sale BASS FISHING ON WEST POINT LAKE BASS FISHING LAKE RUSSELL BASS FISHING WEST POINT LAKE and BASS FISHING LAKE HARTWELL. These books have lots of bass fishing and covers every week of the year. Each book $39.00. If you would like a sample of any book send us an e mail to [email protected].

We offer these waypoints for sale. You get the coordinates and you load them into your GPS unit
Lake Allatoona for $99.00 Lake Lanier for $99.00 Lake Oconee for $99.00 Lake Weiss for $99.00 Lake Hartwell for $99.00 WAYPOINTS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE

Insight Genesis announces the Varsity Rewards program for high school fishing teams. See this address www.varsityrewards.com for all the details.

Our mailing address is Southern Fishing Schools Inc. 106 Hickory Ridge Cumming Georgia 30040. 770 889 2654