LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 4.7 FEET, THE CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR THE RIVERS ARE MUCH COLDER AND HEAVILY STAINED. 50’S DOWN LAKE AND 40’S UP LAKE.


I am still getting out a few days a week, but have not been able to run a normal full schedule due to the weather of late. We are still seeing some more ditch activity this week, mainly out deep. The timber edges in and around 30 to 40 feet have been productive with a Picasso Shake Down Head and worm combo. We have been dropping directly on the fish we are seeing on the Lowrance electronics. Casting in these areas can also be effective, but the drop down has been best, targeting specific fish we see on the graph. A drop shot is also working on these deeper fish. I have been favoring minnow imitations lately, like a fluke. The spoon bite is still there on some days as well, so make sure to keep that in your arsenal and ready for action. It just depends on the day, so be flexible in your choices. The steeper rock points and banks on the main lake and in the creeks have been productive at times also. The Picasso Shake Down head/green pumpkin worm combo along with a Chattahoochee Jig have done well in these areas. We have been presenting these baits very slowly in these steep rock areas. Look for the fish to be shallower in these areas on sunny days, and deeper on cloudy days. When the wind is up, try your SPRO Little John DD on the rocks as well for some fish. Don't expect a lot of bites, but some good ones. Don't miss the opportunity to throw a SuperSpin in the same places as well. Also of interest, in the afternoons of sunny days, we have found some biting fish in smaller, shorter pockets close to deep water. These fish have been in 15 to 25 feet and often around docks. Look for the areas that are protected from a north wind and get lots of sun. This pattern is just like an early spring pattern, so think in those terms as you pursue it. Sun and warming water is the key. It's still a great time to learn the deep winter bite and really learn the keys to catching fish when the bite is tougher. While the catch rates for trips this time of year is not as good as others, I believe the learning opportunities are at their best right now. And don't forget, that fun pre spawn bite is just around the corner, so reserve your date now! Following is a list of my upcoming open February: 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, and 28. Give me a call and let's get out and learn these deep winter fish as well as the early pre spawn bite!

This report brought to you by: Jimbo Mathley Jimbo on Lanier

This Lake Lanier Striper report is from Big Fish on Service. To book your trip call Captain Ken at 404 561 2564 or contact us on our web site. www.bigfishon .com

Striper fishing is fair. We have been stuck in this slow Striper fishing pattern for several weeks. Most of the fish have moved into the creeks. Not every creek will be holding Stripers but if you locate the creeks with bait and birds the Stripers will be there. Check out the creeks for bait and keep your eyes on the water in search of actively feeding Sea Gulls and Loons. Your best bet is to fish the bait. The pattern has been shallow bait in the morning and bait moving deeper once the sun gets up in mid morning. Deploy free lines and planner boards when you find shallow (less than 20 feet) bait usually in the early morning. Herring, Gizzard Shad and small Trout are all good baits but do not hesitate to downsize to medium shiners if you see signs the fish are feeding on small Thread Fin Shad. Set your trolling motor speed between .3 to 1.0 mile per hour. Vary the distance of your baits behind the boat/boards and the weight on your free lines to cover a variety of water depths. We use split shots to weight some of our free lines. When you find the best distance, weight and speed replicate those settings to the majority of your lines. Also, try to keep someone on the front deck casting a 1/2 ounce buck tail jig with a fluke. As the bait moves deeper switch to down lines and fish a water column both above and below the bait. As always, the winter time “go to creeks” are Flat Creek, Four Mile Creek and Balus Creek. However, the creeks with high concentration of bait will hold fish. The water temperature is in the low to mid 40’s and the lake is 4.78 feet below full pool. The water is clear on the main Lake and lightly stained in the creeks. 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 46 degrees or lower and moderately stained on the upper parts of the lake. We look for bait to lead us to fish, but since the water temps dropped to the low 40’s, the bait has gone to historically low depths. This is making fishing a challenge, since most of us do not typically fish brush piles at 35 to 40 foot depths. As a result, we have been fishing deeper docks on river channels (also 35 40 foot depths). If you are catching 10 to 20 fish, you are doing well. A 1/16 ounce jig is a must. On a windy day, your best bet will be to try vertical jigging using hair jigs, which will give the jig more action. As has been typical with the cold water temps lately, the crappie will not chase your jig, so the bait must be presented directly in front of them. Fishing is tough right now, but being on the water when the lake is empty is fun if you can brave the cold.

Stay safe on the water and wear your life jacket.

Hammonds Fishing Centers, Cumming Georgia manager Tim Hawkins has 7 great products to help knock down some cold weather. Gill Simms Jackets for $299.00 and Gill for $199.00 Bibs, Gill waterproof gloves for $44.99, Gill Performance Fishing Gloves for $25.00, Simms Beanies for $29.00 and Gill Face Shields from $29.00 to $32.00. Their phone number is 770 888 6898

We have all the details for our On the Water SONAR School on our web SCHOOLS page. We have the LOWRANCE CARBON and LOWRANCE GEN 3 Touch and the game changing technology in the NEW 3D Lowrance Technology on our boat. Bring any HDS machine only to Lake Lanier and learn it ALL in one day. Call Ken for details. See our Southern Fishing Schools page for the latest screen shots of the LOWRANCE 3D technology. See bass over a ladder in 10 feet of water 158 feet from my boat. www.lowrance.com

Ask for a free sonar set up sheet by sending me an email to [email protected]. Please tell me what model machine you have.

We recommend Overboard Designs for 2956 Waterworks Road Buford Georgia 30518 Phone 678.714.7122.

We recommend Transducer Shield and Savers. Protect your investment.

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 for 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

Ultrex and Cable Guard protects external Transducer cable for remote control trolling motors. The cable guard will allow the transducer cable to turn kink free and the shaft can be raised or lowered without pinching the cable. No more messing with cable ties or black tape. For Factory Direct Pricing contact Precision Sonar at 270 703 613