Lake temperatures have dropped into the lower 70’s and the lake level is 1,069.2 feet, which is less than 2-feet below full pool.

Lake Lanier is clear on the main lake and stained in the creeks and the rivers and the Chattahoochee River is clear. Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.

Bass fishing is good and the fish are scattered in many locations so keep your options open. We caught bass on many different lures in many different locations. There are some really shallow fish that are eating in the pockets and toward the backs of the creeks. These fish seem to be relating to lay down trees and also the flooded brush that is still left over from the drought years.

Target the flooded brush that is close to the ditches and creeks. Bass use these as highways to move back and forth through this flooded jungle. If you target these shallower fish, then start out on the mornings by throwing a Buzz Bait or smaller topwater lures like a Bronzeye Frog, Zoom Fluke and even a trick worm.

Work these lures over and through the flooded brush until and after the sun rises. Once the sun gets high, target these shallow docks that are close to the creek and ditch drops and you can use a crank bait, Jig n Pig or a Texas rigged 6 inch Big Bite Kreit Tail Worm and work this lure around any lay down trees and also around the docks and rocky banks.

I have been spending most of my time targeting the spotted bass that are chasing blueback herring midway back and also in the creeks mouths. These larger spotted bass are targeting large bluebacks, so bigger lures are the way to go. I have been casting SPRO Salty Dawg 125s, Super Spooks, 6 inch BBZ1 and Sebile Swim Baits. I like to use chrome or a blueback imitating colors.

Target main lake mounts and secondary points midway back into the creeks. I will often set the boat down in a good area and will not even make a cast if I set there for five minutes without seeing any surface activity. Even if I only see one blueback or one bass surface, that can be an indication that a much larger school of bass is present.

Usually if I see this activity, the area is worth a try.

When the main lake fish are not schooling, try a drop shot or a deep diving crank bait and target the brush piles. After dark, there have been some bass eating crank baits, jigs and even a large black spinner bait slow rolled around main lake lay downs and brush.

Striper fishing remains very strong. The trolling bite continues to be good. Troll larger SPRO Buck Tails tipped with a large Hyper Tail or better yet, a live blueback herring.

Troll these eight colors at around 2-3 miles per hour. The stripers are moving a little shallower, so target the flats in the creek mouths as well as the main lake river channels. Once fish are located, try a down line and set your baits to the level at which you see the stripers and bluebacks on your screen.

The cooler water has started to bring the stripers shallower and I actually caught one this week with SPRO Dawg on top. Look for the topwater schooling activity to really break loose with the cooler water temperatures and shorter days.

The after dark Bomber Long A bite is just starting, but it is still a little slow but it should really pick up around the World Series time so get out and sling some lures after dark!

Crappie are moving a little shallower in brush at 15 to 20 feet during the day they may move shallower at night. Jig Micro Spoons and Crappie Jigs and work your lure through the brush and wait for the tell tale “tick” that gives away a crappie bite and down lined crappie minnows over these same brush piles will work both day and night.

If you fish after dark, use a light to attract the baitfish and crappie.

Trout fishing is good both in the mountains and on the river. Live bait is working well, but check your local regulations to make sure it’s legal where you are fishing.

Inline spinners are hard to beat for catching trout. When using an inline spinner, try these tips. Use the lightest line possible. Cast your lure out as far as possible and let it sink a little. Real it back just fast enough to keep the blades spinning. Target the rapids and the deeper pools below the rapids.

Eric Aldrich is an outdoor writer, marketing specialist and bass angler. Reports are based on personal experience and permission from a close network of friends. He would love to hear from his readers so please e-mail him at esaldrich@yahoo.com or visit his website at aldrichfishing.com. Remember to take a kid fishing!