If you have never been on the lake striper fishing, now is the time to go. The most consistent fishing of the year is upon us. The schools of stripers are getting larger and larger as expected. It is not uncommon to get numerous stripers on at the same time. We are using downlines with a carolina rig type setup. Good electronics are crucial right now. You should be able to see your bait drop on the graph. At times, you will be able to see the stripers come up off the bottom and strike the bait. Right now, this bait is a live herring. We are also catching a few stripes dropping a large bucktail jig below the fish on the graph and reeling it up through the fish. This technique is getting more popular every year. The leadcore bite is also picking up now that the fish are pulling out over the open water. Start with the jig out eight colors. We are using a 2oz. chipmunk jig tipped with a live herring. One last note, be sure to try to come during the week if possible. The fishing on Lake Lanier is always better during the week due to the lack of boat traffic.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – July 2010
July 16th, 2010Lake Lanier Fishing Report – June 2010
June 17th, 2010The downline bite is in full swing here on Lake Lanier. With the hot weather the fish have went deep as expected. We are fishing 28 to 40 ft deep for the most part on the north end of the lake. With each passing week, the stripers are moving further and further down the lake concentrating the fish into less and less water.
The big surprise has been the number of fish still being caught on topwater this late in June. The abnormally cold water we had this winter has resulted in the deep water being colder than normal and as a result the topwater bite was later than normal. We are still catching some good fish on seven inch redfins and walking topwater baits like the Super Spook.
If you are looking to book a trip for the first time on Lake Lanier. Now is the time. The weather is great and the fishing is the most consistent of the year. We hope to see you soon. Remember weekdays are always better than the weekend due to the number of boats on the weekend.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – May 2010
April 27th, 2010May is almost here and the topwater bite is already in full swing. We are catching fish on redfins, spooks, pencil poppers and all other types of topwater baits. Still catching some good fish on shad as well but it has been hard to get way from the topwater bite. Fishing has been best early in the morning. The early bird is getting the worm. The topwater bite should last until the first week of June depending on the weather. With the first moon in June look for the fish to group up better and the numbers will pick up making it a great time to get the kids out. As always weekdays are better than the weekends especially with the lake being full. Lots of pleasure boaters out on the lake.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – March 2010
March 26th, 2010The cold is finally breaking its hold on Lake Lanier. Fishing is improving quickly. Fishing is equal day and night. I would say your chances of big numbers is bigger at night throwing the bomber and the best chance of a big fish being best during the day especially early and the morning. It will not be uncommon for us to be pulling 12 to 14 inch gizzard shad under balloons on our free lines. We are also picking up a few fish on 3/8ounce bucktails and a few on jerkbaits worked up shallow. If you want to take the chance, now is the best time of the year to catch a trophy striper. However, if you fish with the big baits realize you will cut down on your number of bites but nothing ventured nothing gained. Personally, I think the odds of a big fish right now are worth the risk. 
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – January 2010
January 7th, 2010The recent severe cold snap has really dropped the water temperature on the lake. The water temperature has went from 50 degrees down to 43 degrees. As a result, the fish have went deeper looking for a more stable water temperature. Look for the umbrella rig to continue to be the best pattern. However, you may need to fish humps and points similar to the pattern in late September when the lake is turning over. The fish may pull up on the humps and points. Once the cold passes, look for the fishing to rebound quick as soon as the water temperature increases just a couple of degrees. Once this happens, look closely for warmer water. Also, the peak of the year for big fish is rapidly approaching. We will soon be pulling 1 to 2 pound gizzard shad looking for the trophy. We have already seen some big fish this winter.
On another note, look for the crappie fishing to begin to come into action with the first warm spell of the year. This normally takes places sometime during the first couple weeks of February.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – November 2009
November 12th, 2009The stripers continue to school on top most days on the south end of the lake. They have changed to feeding on threadfin shad so they are a little harder to convince to bite. If the water is choppy the redfin has continued to be the best bait. If the water is calm, go with the smaller baits like the Ice Fly. The umbrella rig is not a bad option if you just want to get fish in the boat. We are pulling the heavy 3 ounce umbrella 100 feet behind the boat. If the fish are too deep for the umbrella rig, go back o the old faithful downline. Be sure to take some trout along as well. Throughout the winter, trout are many times better than herring.
Still some fish being caught on the far north end as well with gizzard shad on free lines and planer boards. Personally, I have not been on the north end. The south end has been too good to leave the area. Still some fish being caught on the bomber as well if you want to go out at night. Just be careful of the signs that are about under water with the high lake levels. Overall, the lake looks incredible. Who would ever have thought we would see full pool this winter.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – October 2009
October 12th, 2009Stripers: So far this October the striper fishing has been up and down with the weather. As you most likely already know, the lake level has went through the roof. Last year at this time, most of the ramps were closed and now all of the ramps are open. At the beginning of the month the stripers were still on the down line and with all the cloud cover and rain the fish are finally beginning to school on topwater. Be sure to keep a Cotton Cordell 7 inch redfin (chrome and blue) tied on at all times. Other topwater baits like Houston Bleeding Shad Super Spooks will also be great choices. Most of the topwater fishing will be casting to visible schools that are feeding on the surface. Furthermore, most of this activity will be on the south end of the lake. Just cruise the channel and look for the fish.
Bass: The bass fishing is improving daily. This time of year is sometimes considered junk fishing due to the many patterns that may work on a giving day. Tie on all different types of moving baits on and see what happens. If it is windy, go with spinnerbaits out on the main lake points. Rat-L-traps are also not a bad choice especially the tried and true chrome and blue. This is one of the bezt times of the year to catch a big spotted bass.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – September 2009
September 21st, 2009Fishing has continued to be strong on Lanier. The lake has not started to turnover at this time. As soon as the water temperature makes it into the lows seventies look for the patterns tos tart changing. Right now, the fish continue to hammer the downline. Still some big fish showing up as expected. About a week ago we boated a 31lber striper at the beginning of an evening trip. This brings up an important point. Do not hesitate to fish in the evening in the fall. Some of the best fishing will be late in the evening casting topwater and after dark with the long-a bomber. Just cast the lure right up on the bank, make a few turns of the handle and hang on to the rod. The lake level is in great shape so it should be a great Fall.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – August 2009
August 18th, 2009So far this August, the fishing has been as good as it gets. More big fish than normal are showing up all over the south end of the lake. Be sure to check out some of the recent pictures on the Up on Lanier Fishing Forum. Half of our big fish are coming on downlines 60 to 80 feet deep. The hard part has been getting them out of the rod holder The other half are coming on jigs “power reeling.” Power reeling is simply dropping a heavy jig tipped with a live herring or plastic shad body below a school of stripers and steadily reeling it up through the school. Many times you can actually see the stripers chasing the jig on the graph. If you have never been striper fishing now is the time to go. This patern will normally stay strong until the first few cold fronts arrive in October.
Lake Lanier Fishing Report – July 2009
July 7th, 2009Water Temperature: 83 degrees
Lake Level: Approx. 1066.03
Stripers: The striper fishing has been great the last few weeks. Furthermore, the next two months should be the best fishing of the year for numbers of fish. The fish are in large schools from Browns Bridge south. Currently, the fish are still in the creeks and working their way further out each passing week. Look for the fish to be 30 to 60 feet deep over 60 feet of water. With each passing week look for the fish to be over a deeper bottom. Time of day makes no difference this time of year. We are catching fish just as good midday as we are early in the morning. Around the full moons, look for the fishing to be better midday. We are using downlines with herring to catch these fish. This pattern works real well for kids being the kids do not have to cast.
Bass: The spotted bass have moved to the deeper brush and a drop shot rig with spottail minnows is now the dominate pattern. Catch the spottail minnows on a sandy beach with a 3/16 mesh cast net and you are ready to go catch some fish. Drop the minnows around the edges of the deeper brush and hold on to the rod. This is a great pattern to take the kids. The action is fast and furious.