Fishing news

Lake level: 1071.92 (late March) Temperature: 60s Clarity: Clear in main lake, creeks stained

Bass fishing

Bass fishing on Lake Lanier is very good. The bass are in full pre-spawn mode and feeding up for it. The majority of the fish have made their way up to the shallower parts of the lake and are looking for lots to eat.

There are a number of patterns working right now but the most important thing to remember is the fish are in the zero- to 20-foot range. A green pumpkin zoom trick worm or Senkos fished on a three sixteenths lead head around docks, blow downs and secondary points will produce. There are also fish being caught on a wacky rig worm in the banks leading into shallow pockets. A white Georgia Blade spinnerbait with white blades is also producing fish on the main lake points and rocky banks particularly if there is wind. A white jerk bait worked around main lake reef poles has started to pick up fish and should only get better as the water continues to warm. The steady producer still is the quarter ounce Spotchoker with either a two eight or three three Keitech in a white color. Work this bait very slowly on secondary points or reef poles. Also check the blow throughs as many of them are holding bait.

The largemouth are spawning or have just finished in many areas so be sure to check the banks and secondary points around the bedding areas. As you can tell there are multiple patterns working right now and all of them are geared to the shallow bite. It’s a great time to fish learn and learn a new pattern as the fish are definitely cooperating.

This bass fishing report is by Phil Johnson, pjohnson15@hotmail.com, 770 366-8845.

Striper fishing

Stripers are on the move and you can find the bait back in the coves early in the morning and follow the fish moving out as the sun comes up. Planer boards and weighted flat line 60 to 80 feet back. Keep a down line 20 to 35 feet under the boat just because. Mini Mac on planers have produced pulled thru the schools of fish. Remember to wear your life jackets.

This striper report is by Buck Cannon, Buck Tails Guide Service, 404 510-1778.

Crappie fishing

Crappie fishing is good. I am finding crappie in shallow water five and 15 feet deep. I am also catching them out of docks. I still expect the crappie to be in a spawning pattern for the next couple weeks so look shallow and toward the banks. One female can lay up to 60,000 eggs so let’s only keep what we intend to eat right away until the spawn is over then we can go back to filling the freezer. If you are using jigs I would recommend starting with a dark body and a chartreuse tail. One color I had success with recently was brown and chartreuse. I am setting minnows 2 to 4 feet over schooling crappie. Crappie love the shade so cast into the shadows. When dock shooting the biggest fish are usually the first to bite.

I’m using the skippers jig moon jigs use (promo code heroes) when ordering I use ATX lure jigs (www.atxlures.com). I use 5 pound test high visibility yellow k9 braid for my line unless I am using a bobber then it’s the k9 6 pound high vis line (www.k9fishing.com) and a Piscifun reel on a Acc crappie Stix.

This crappie report is by Captain Josh Thornton, 770 5306493.

PHOTO BY VICKI HOPE Boats line up for the weigh-in during last month’s Phoenix Bass Fishing League event at Laurel Park on Lake Lanier. Jerry Brunfield of Cumming bested the more than 220 participants in last month’s Phoenix Bass Fishing League’s event on Lake Lanier. His five fish catch totaled just over 20 pounds. Will Harkins of Blairsville finished second with a total of 19 pounds, 13 ounces and Grant Kelly of Milledgeville grabbed third place with a total catch of 19 pounds five ounces. The tournament, based out of Laurel Park, was held on February 26.

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