Lake Lanier is currently above full pool. The water temperature is trying to climb into the low fifties but the cold fronts are keeping it from making much progress so far but with the days getting longer warmer water is rapidly advancing upon us. The water clarity is all over the place due to recent rains. Freelines have already become the dominant pattern. Rig up a Penn Fathom Linecounter reel with 15 pound Trilene Big Game line, a 15 pound Trilene 100% Flourocarbon leader, a Spro 80 pound Power Swivel, and a Gamakatsu 1/0 Octopus hook tipped with the herring. The past few weeks medium shiners have also been a great option but with the warmer days coming herring will become the dominant bait. This setup is the Lanier staple. The Penn Fathom Linecounter really helps your success rate as you are able to know exactly how far back your baits are behind the boat. Start at 120 feet and make changes as necessary. Some days a small split shot or an additional 30 feet of line can make a huge difference from day to day. Pull the freelines at 1 mph across humps and points and in some cases over open water. So far, open water has been best on the north end.
When the fish move more to the banks later in the month, keep a Penn Battalion 7’ medium light spinning rod paired with a Penn Conflict with light line on the deck. Tie on a Berkley Fusion 1/4 ounce jig head tipped with a Berkley 3” or 4” White Shiner Drip Swimmer and beat the bank. Some days the plastics outperforms live bait. Another great bait on the banks is the Berkley Stunna which is a jerkbait. Most people think of the jerkbait being for bass but big stripers love the Stunna jerkbait in the Spring especially in the stained water like we have now. The use of forward facing sonar has increased the jerkbaits popularity as you can see the stripers eat the jerkbait in real time on your sonar. Also start thinking about a Berkley Surge Shad in Bone later in the month. The topwater bite will be around the corner and continue into April.
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