Editor's note: Last week's report was a repeat of a previous report. This was an error by the author and not The Times.
Lake temperatures are in the upper 80s. The lake level remains healthy considering the amount of rain we have received.
We are 2.7 feet below full pool at 1,068.3 feet. Lake Lanier is clear on the main lake and clear to stained in the creeks and the rivers.
Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.
Bass fishing usually starts to get tough when the warmer weather sets in.
We are seeing water temperatures close to 90 degrees this past week, but the afternoon rains have really helped.
The fish seem to get frisky before, during and after the storms we had this week.
Before the storms, I was starting to get most of our bass at the 20- to 25-foot zone. During and after this recent rain, we found bass feeding on the surface.
Summer is one of the best times to catch quality and numbers on the offshore humps, standing timber, brush piles and other offshore cover and structure. My Z8 gets a work out this time of year as I run and gun trying to find that one "secret" offshore hump that is holding fish.
Running and gunning is different from your old school bobber and worm fishing. It's not for everyone. My dad says it's more like work, but it is truly a labor of love.
The secret to fishing in the middle of the lake is knowing where the "spot on the spot" is located. You may have a hump that is as large as a football field, but usually there is something distinct that will hold the majority of fish.
It may be a brush pile, large rocks, a sunken boat or sometimes it's a completely barren area that just happens to hold a bunch of bait fish.
You can spend some time exploring these areas before you fish them to increase your odds.
I have seen many anglers stop the boat over the best areas and cast into never land while all the fish were swimming directly below them. I am sure I have done the same thing.
We have several tools to help us locate these prime areas. Side Imaging has really sped up the process, and I can find the best areas with my 998c very quickly. You can also use lures that give you feedback on what lies below the surface.
A deep diving crank bait that runs 15- to 20-feet deep is a great tool to feel the bottom.
You can slowly dig these lures into the bottom, and you will find the rocks and brush piles that hold these spotted bass. A Carolina Rigged plastic worm is a great tool for not only locating, but also catching deeper spotted bass.
The topwater bite has been best in the morning hours and when the storms appear, but they can come up and school at any time of the day.
Other lures like Swim Baits, Jigs, Drop Shots and Fish Head Spins will all work offshore.
Determine the activity level of the fish, then switch to the best options - whether it is drop shoting directly over brush piles or making long casts with a swim bait or topwater plug. Fishing with live spot tail minnows will just about guarantee you a good day of fishing.
The creeks and pockets were still holding fish this past week. Try a Jig Head rigged with a finesse worm around the docks, and also crank a Little John DD on clear chartreuse on the secondary points that have rock and brush.
Dig these deep diving lures into the bottom, and when you hit something, give it a slight pause and the lure will float over and you can start cranking again. Most of my strikes occur during this pause because it is usually a brush pile of stump that stopped the plug in the first place.
Striper fishing remains good, and most of the guides can usually expect a great summer of deep water fishing. This week, there are still some decent schools of stripers toward the surface in the mornings and around the storms, and they can either stay shallow or move deeper as the sun comes up.
Keep a topwater plug tied on in the morning and also during the day. Start your day casting over points and humps in the mouths of the creeks.
Pull down-lined blueback herring while casting to points or keep your bait in the tank and run and gun the main lake with topwater plugs until the surface action dies.
Find the best schools with your electronics, then pull out the live bait rigs and go to work.
Keeping bluebacks alive requires some thought, so make sure to buy the best bluebacks and use salt and ice to keep these herring lively.
Another tip is to use a heavy weight when dropping your down lines to get the herring quickly down to the cooler thermocline. Make sure to always fish your baits slightly above where you see fish on your electronics.
The creek mouth night bite is starting to get good. Put out Hydro Glow Lights in the creek mouths and down-line bluebacks.
Set your baits in the 30- to 40-foot deep zone, watch your electronics and adjust your baits as needed.
Crappie fishing has been a little slower during the day, but they are still biting for anglers who are adept at fishing deeper brush piles.
Drop a crappie jig or live crappie minnow down just above where the brush is located. The crappie are starting to show up around the bridge pilings. Set out your lights and down-line crappie minnows or live spot tails and adjust your lines up or down as needed.
The trout fishing has been best in the early mornings both on the river and up in the mountain creeks.
Trout will bite all day long, but the morning bite has been great on the ‘Hooch below Buford Dam.
I spoke with one angler who claims he caught more than 70 fish one morning. I would have thought that was just a fish tale, but I witnessed him catching about 15, and he was there before me and still there when I left.
Bank Fishing: Here we go again! When the weather gets warm, I always think about my daughter's favorite quarry, the North Georgia redfish, better known as Carp.
My bass fishing buddies all give me a hard time, but carp are great fun to catch and there are even some people that eat them. Take a can of corn and throw half of it out into the water.
Use the other half for bait.
Rig a small No. 1 Gamakatsu straight shank hook with a 1/8-ounce split shot rigged a foot above.
Cast your line out into where you chummed the corn. Make sure to secure the rod and wait.
If you don't get a bite within an hour, then move to the next spot. Carp are attracted by human activity, and they can be found in numbers around the marinas and also around camp grounds and day parks.
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!