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. The striper fishing in georgia is good year round.

         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.  The hard part is getting the rod out of the rod holder.

      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 like the Cotton Cordell Redfin come into play as well.  If you look hard in the middle photo below, you will see a redfin hanging out of the mouth of the striper. Some years the action is better after dark so do not hesitate to plan a night trip. At night the stripers bust large bomber plugs like the pink Long-A bomber that are cast right up on the bank.

              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 come on umbrella rigs. The reason for the variety of tactics is most rapidly changing weather that is associated with early winter. Don't be surpried if you even catch one on a spoon.

                  October 2005                                               November  2005                                       December 2006

To view pictures from recent trips visit the 

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