The lake level is around 18.3 feet low at 1,052.7 feet (full pool is 1,071 feet). Lake temperatures remain around 50 degrees. The main lake and creeks are clear to slightly stained and the Chattahoochee River is stained. Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all of our readers.
Bass
Fishing is good for those anglers than can master deep-water fishing. The majority of bass on Lake Lanier are relating to deeper structure and cover at 30-50 feet. Quality electronics like my Humminbird 797C and 777c are essential tools for unlocking the secrets of the depths. A lot of these bass will be relating to the bottom, but you will often find these fish suspended too. Your electronics will show where the fish are located and will also help you to track your lure so you will know how deep you are fishing.
There are basically three lures to use when targeting deep bass. The first two methods are vertical presentations.
My main choice would be a jigging spoon. The spoon will allow you to get your lure to the fish quickly and it looks just like a dying shad.
The second suggestion would be a dropshot rig with a small berkley gulp minnow. The third choice is a jig.
You can use a standard jig and trailer that mimics a crayfish, but I like to fish a «-ounce SPRO Buck Tail with a fluke trailer and stair step these down the steeper banks.
If you don’t have a boat then you can still catch bass fishing from the banks. Use a medium minnow on a slip bobber and set your line stop at around 15 feet or cast buck tails or a Fish Head Spin and reel them up hill keeping close contact to the bottom.
Stripers
Fishing is good most days but the uncertain weather can cause these fish to move around a lot. Live bait is the best method this week and several baits are producing.
Most days it is hard to beat a blueback herring or a small trout fished behind the boat on a flat line or planner board midway in the creeks.
If you can find where the stained water meets the clear water this is a good place to start. Use your Humminbird Electronics and look for the tell tail arcs or lines that indicate bigger fish. Position your baits just above the depth where you mark fish.
Both flat and down lines are working this week.
The weather seems to really affect how deep stripers are located.
Let your electronics tell you the best depth to set your baits. Trolling an umbrella rig can be deadly this time of year.
Find the bait schools in the creeks and troll a three or four arm umbrella rig with SPRO Buck Tails with a Hyper Tail attached.
Bank anglers are doing well fishing live trout under a slip bobber. Cut bait fished from the bank will attract larger stripers but it can be a waiting game.
Use freshly cut gizzard shad for your cut bait. Cast it out on a weighted line and let it sit on the bottom. Stop in at Hammonds for the best bait and tackle for striper fishing on Lake Lanier. They will also be able to tell you what is working best and where the best fishing can be located.
Crappie
Fishing is slow. Continue to study your electronics around marina docks and the backs of the creeks at around 15-25 feet. Small jigs tipped with a live minnow and worked very slowly are your best bet.
Trout on the Chattahoochee
Fishing is slow. Continue to fish below the dam on down to Hwy 20 with live night crawlers or red wigglers.
Eric Aldrich is a part-time outdoor writer, bass fisherman and is sponsored by Humminbird, SPRO, Gamakatsu, Tru Tungsten and Hammonds Fishing and Boat Storage. Reports are based on personal experience and permission from a close network of friends. He would love to hear from his readers so please email him at esaldrich@yahoo.com or visit his website at aldricihfishing.com. Remember to take a kid fishing!