When is the best time to catch a trophy striper on Lake Lanier?

As you can see from the pictures below, trophy stripers show up year round on Lake Lanier.  In the old days, it was believed that the winter months were the only time to catch a trophy striper. While this is still a great time to catch a trophy striper, improvements in electronics have made it possible to catch just as many trophy fish in the summer months. 

         David Stephenson                        David Stephenson

              Sept. 2006                                    March 2007

If I was forced to answer an exact time that has  the  greatest odds to catch a trophy striper it would be the time period between the full moon in February until the full moon in April. The big fish are shallow chasing big bait and the stripers are at their heaviest weight of the year due to the Spring spawn. Large gizzard shad and large trout will be the bait of choice. Large baits being 10 to 14 inches.  

      January 2005             February 2006                            March 2007

 April and May are very similar to the first three months. Big baits are still in use and the stripers are more aggressive due to the warmer water temperatures. Large topwater plugs come into play as well. 

              April 2007                               May 2007 Topwater                            June 2007

With the improvements made in electronics the last ten years, the summer months are quickly becoming more popular for catching big stripers.  Some of the big fish will be 70 to 100 feet deep. A live herring on a downline is the typical tactic. The other tactic is to use large bucktails tipped with shad bodies  and live herring. 

                        July 2007                                                August 2006                                               September 2005

The early winter months are a mixed bag of tactics. Some of the big fish will come on topwater lures. Some will come on big baits, some will come on large trout, and some will some on umbrella rigs. The reason for the variety of tactics is most rapidly changing weather that is associated with early winter. 

                  October 2005                                               November  2005                                       December 2006

To view pictures from recent trips visit the 

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