Also See:
Jeff Nail’s Lake Lanier Bass Fishing Report
Lake Hartwell Fishing Report from Captain Mack
Lake Lanier Fishing Report from Captain Mack
Lake Guntersville Weekly Fishing Report from Captain Mike Gerry
Lake Country Fishing – fishing reports on Lakes Sinclair and Oconee, and more. (subscription required)
Texas Parks and Wildlife Weekly Freshwater Fishing Reports
Texas Parks and Wildlife Weekly Saltwater Reports
Lake Lanier Fishing Report from Captain Mack
Just looked out the window, raining again, the weekend must be here?
Fishing has been good
on Lanier, I think it will be great fishing if the weather and water will stabilize. Be ready when
that happens, As was the case after the last big rain dump, the stained water will offer some
great opportunities! Actually, fishing will likely be good anyway, the fish just may move out of
some of that dirty water so factor that into your game plan and use the transition zones. For the
record, there were some 60 degree plus water temp readings this week! It is amazing how
quickly the water has warmed, and the fish responded as expected! The lake level is on the rise
again, up to 1071.49 as of Friday afternoon, with additional rising water expected. The lake level
is .49 feet up from last week, and .49 feet over full pool. The core temp is 58, but much warmer
up lake and in the backs!
Striper Fishing
The Striper bite is very good, and multiple patterns are still effective. The creek back thing I
have been mentioning has been very good, but expect that to be put on a brief hold, or at least
changing somewhat, based on the amount of rainfall we receive? Basically, look for the fish in
the transition zone where the new incoming water meets with the older stable water. That was
the pattern on Friday morning, and it made for great fishing! I think this pattern will rebound
quickly, and it may not be that adversely affected? Fishing the backs has been really strong and
very underutilized, so keep that in mind going into next week. I relied on two baits, the Mini
Mack and a 3/8 Super Jig tipped with a tiny fluke. Basically, I was going into a creek back until I
saw the water change color, then start beating the banks with emphasis on points and flats. The
same pattern will likely work now, just concentrate on the transition zones where the new dirty
water meets the clear water.
There are still plenty of fish in open water areas and big drains and feeder creeks. This pattern
has been good in the middle parts of the lake, particular the Chattahoochee side. Many of the
big drains that run into the creeks are not live creeks, or they are small creeks, and not as
susceptible to being blown out. Watch for fish out over the river channel as well, that pattern has
been a staple for the last few weeks. The birds have been very helpful in located the fish over
the channel, and it may not be the typical scenario we envision when you think of Gulls on fish?
You may see the classic Gull tornado, but it may also be a small number of Gulls, or Gulls that
are flying high and focused on small area. They are probably telling you there is bait and or fish
in the area. Keep and eye on the Gulls and the Loons, they may save you some searching
Live baits are catching plenty of fish, and while the Herring are good baits right now, the
availability has been sporadic. Hopefully that situation will improve now that we are off of the full
moon. Shad and or Shiners will be good alternates, and catching Threadfin Shad will also be a
good option. There are plenty of Thread fins in the creek backs, so taking a few minutes to net
bait may be worthwhile. Whatever the bait is, a mix and match is always a good strategy, the
best bite has been on the free lines and planers, with some applications for the down lines as
well.
Bass Fishing
The Bass Bite has been very good, both for numbers and a nice average size. There are still
many applicable patterns, and with surface temps in the to upper 50’s, the fish are thinking
spring!, The same pattern I mentioned in the Striper part of the report will hold true here. Go into
a creek until you see the water start getting dingy, that transition zone again, and start fishing.
The fish may be randomly cruising or tight to structure. Cast to the bait schools, to the banks,
flats and points, and of course any fish you mark on the sonar. Any structures you see may also
hold fish and are worth a cast. The Mini Macks and the Rock Crawlers were particularly effective
for me this week. Other baits that are applicable are jerk baits and spinnerbaits. Match the color
of the bait to the water clarity and you should stay pretty busy unhooking fish! Jigs and worms to
the blowdowns and docks will also have application.
Speaking of docks, targeting the docks is very strong. I think the worms and jigs will be hard to
beat for this pattern, but moving baits will also have a place, especially on the shallow docks.
The big soft swim baits such as the 6” Cast Prodigy and Magdraft baits will be a good option to
cast to the docks, and may get the attention of the bigger fish. If I had to pick a depth, 12 to 25
is Probably a good range, with lots of movement based on the weather and conditions on a
given day. The dock pattern can have many variables, a pattern within the pattern.
Determining
the best depth, or the position of the dock in the creek, structures under the docks, angle of the
sun are some things to note. On the other hand, somedays, you may not be able to pinpoint the
nuances to the pattern and high saturation will be the key.
Good Fishing!!
Capt Mack