Lake Lanier is slightly below full pool at around 1,070.7 feet (full pool is 1,071 feet). Lake temperatures are around the 50s. The main lake is slightly stained and the creeks and rivers are stained. The Chattahoochee River below Buford Dam is slightly stained.
Check generation schedules before heading out to the river at 770-945-1466.
Bass fishing has really picked up this past week and the fish are moving toward the shallow water. We have had unusually colder water than normal but the fish are just as ready for spring as we are. This is the time of year when bass start thinking a little more about mating and a little less about eating.
That being said, they will also be getting more aggressive and the fishing is really getting easier.
Follow the creeks into the pockets and the smaller feeder creeks into the ditches that lead on up into the flats, for these are like little highways where the bass move from their deeper winter haunts up into the shallows.
If you can find where a dock, brush piles of other cover intersects the structure, then you may be on the fish. We have located spotted and largemouth bass in the ditches next to large flats at 20 feet and less this week.
Start out in the morning throwing Jerk and Rattle baits from the points on back into the pockets and move in or out based on where you get your bites. These bass will be roaming around in the mornings and they will set up in the ditches and up under docks as the sun gets up.
If it’s cloudy, you can use a SPROMcStick, Aruku Shad or Rattle Trap all day long. If the sun is up, target the shady side of the creek ditches and fish the docks in the mouths of the pockets. Carolina Rigs and Jig Head worms are both very good choices.
When you get a good bite, make sure to work that area over because they will be grouped up during the middle of the days.
This week’s striper report is brought to you by Shane Watson Guide Service. The stripers have been on fire the last couple of days. Our boats have caught stripers up to 30 pounds this week on SproMcStick Jerk Baits in spooky shad pattern and on free-lined bluebacks.
Fish points in the middle to the rear of just about any creek. The north and south end are equal right now. Crappie fishing has been very good and now is the time to go. Keith Pace of Micro Spoons says that they are trolling a Christmas Grub Trailer on a 1/16-ounce crappie jig with a No. 2 Sickle Hook.
He says to work the middle of the pockets but move around a good deal until you get bit. Stay shallow or move deeper depending on where you get your bites. He has caught crappie in 5 feet and more than 15 feet or more so keep moving until you find them.
Shooting docks and fishing crappie minnows 4-feet under a float around brush, docks and lay down trees are also working well.
Trout fishing is good when they are not pulling water below the dam and all day long up in the mountain creeks. Check generation schedules and then head out if the water is low. Just about any technique will work this week so pick your favorite and head for the creeks or the River.
Worms and corn (where permitted by law) and Rooster Tails and Wet Flies are all great choices.
Bank fishing for crappie and bass should be very productive for bank anglers this week. Make sure to not camp out in any one area until you find active fish. The shallower coves are holding crappie and bass.
You only need two methods this week. Try casting a 1/6-ounce Rooster Tail or fish a crappie minnow below a bobber and target docks with brush and lay down trees near flats or ditches.
Eric Aldrich is a part-time outdoors 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 e-mail him at esaldrich@yahoo.com or visit his Web site at aldrichfishing.com. Remember to take a kid fishing!