LANIER IN JULY – WATER TEMPS DICTATE APPROACH

Contributed By: Jim “Jimbo” Mathley www.jimboonlanier.com

Depending on the water temperatures, there are several techniques you can utilize to stay on top of the fish, sometimes literally, and remain successful on Lanier during the hot summer months. Let’s review the locations, techniques, and lures you can utilize to ensure you keep catching fish in July.

By July, the majority of the spotted bass are normally in their traditional summer patterns. While some fish will be relating to key features at the mouths of the major creeks, you will begin to find more and bigger spots active on the main lake. The fish tend to relate to either schools of bait or to some of the thousands of man-made brush piles that can be found around the entire lake. Look for brush and other fish-attracting features around the steeper side of longrunning points, rock, steep banks, rocky ledges, as well as underwater humps throughout the lake. Locating these areas and the man-made cover that is often found on them, which will often concentrate the fish, will be important to your success.

Now that we have explored the location where the spots can often be found in July, let’s examine some of the techniques and lures that can be used to catch these fish.

Top water lures and swimbaits remain a viable approach until the surface temperatures hit the mid 80’s. At this point, most of the bait goes deeper as do the fish. Until then, look for this bite to remain solid around the man-made brush. The gunfish and chug bug are two of my favorite topwater lures. When the fish are stubborn, try a weighted fluke as a great second option on missed fish. Swimbaits such as the Lanier Baits Hard Swimmer and the offerings of the Sweet Bait Company are two of the best choices for the hard Swimbaits.

When the topwater/swimbait bite slows, pick up your GA Blade Underspin. Tip the underspin with a Super Fluke Jr. trailer and fish the bait over and around offshore brush for your best success. Vary your retrieve speed and depth until you hit on the right combination for that day.

When you see fish in brush on your Humminbird electronics, try the worm and jig. I like the Georgia Blade ball head. Explore different worm sizes, shapes, and colors when you are fishing. Something different presented appropriately can make a big difference on certain days. Georgia Jigs in 3/8 oz. are my favorite jigs on Lanier. A PB & J color pattern is often a good bet.

A Drop-Shot is also a great tool when fishing gets tough, and the water temperatures soar in the middle of summer. I opt for this offering when fish are suspended in or around brush, or when they are suspended on points or humps. This presentation can be made vertically, or it can be cast or pitched toward the feature. I prefer the Lanier Baits options –they have a tremendous selection of soft plastics! Check them out at LanierBaits.com.

Want Detailed Weekly Video Reports supported by Daily Video Fishing Updates? Subscribe to Jimbo’s Video Fishing Reports – learn the lures, patterns, and locations before you go fishing! Stay in the know with Jimbo! Subscribe here: https://jimboonlanier.com/jimbosweekly-video-fishing-reports/

Jimbo is a Full-Time, Year-Round Spotted Bass Guide on Lake Lanier. Contact him today to book a trip! Mobile - 770-542-7764

Lake Nottely Striper

Forecast By: Shane Goebe Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service & The Angler Magazine Fishing Team Lakes Chatuge, Nottely, Blue Ridge and Hiwassee (828) 361-2021 | www.bigolfish.com

If slaying schooling summertime stripers and hybrids is what you want, then look no further. Lake Nottely offers some of the best striper fishing in the southeast and we are so privileged to be slap-dab in the middle of it all here at Big Ol’ Fish Guiding service. July’s warm summer temps really get these deep mountain stripers & hybrids schooled up. It’s definitely the time of year to catch tons and tons of hard fighting fish. When I say “tons” I mean it’s not uncommon for us to catch 40 to 50 fish in like an hour. I’m talking crazy fun! Checkout our Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service Facebook and Instagram and see for yourself.

Currently, Lake Nottely is at full pool. Water clarity is clear throughout the lake, and water temps are in the low 80’s.

Striper fishing has been excellent. We have been loading the boat with some big fish in good quantities, averaging 25 to 35 stripers and hybrids every morning. The early-morning hours and evening bites are your best times to see action. As far as technique, it’s been all down lines for us. With water temps on the rise the fish are moving to deeper water. Target creek mouths and points off the main lake channel. Also, during the hot sunny days of summer, search out areas with some good shade. The majority of our fish have been caught from Point 7 to the dam. The top-water bite has been amazing as well, so keep a Spook or a Red Fin at the ready to snag surface-busting fish. The fish will continue to school up through the next couple months and will move to even deeper water. Just remember to keep an eye on your electronics and watch for schools of stripers when cruising the lake. Also, remember to try to get the fish back into the water as quickly as possible after they are caught. These warm summer water temps are hard on stripers and often they’ll die if you don’t get a quick release.

July is a fantastic month for catching a lot of trophy stripers on this North Georgia lake. Give Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service a call and let the area’s #1-rated guide service put you on some of Lake Hiwassee’s best trophy stripers during the fishing trip of a lifetime. We are Murphy, NC’s and Blairsville Georgia’s premier full-time guide service, specializing in striped and hybrid bass. We also serve Lakes Hiwassee (in North Carolina), Chatuge , and Lake Blue Ridge in Blue Ridge, GA. So, come fish with the pros for the opportunity to be featured in Angler Magazine, and let us help you get your fish on!

Heron Outdoor Adventures

Fishing The Hot Summer Months

Dr. Andrew Cox

When you read this, summertime weather and temperatures will be here. Though we experienced a somewhat cooler than normal May in Georgia, June is only the beginning of summertime heat and humidity that we will have to endure for the next four months. Fishing during daytime hours in July, August and even into September can be uncomfortable. For many, fishing is limited to early morning or evening hours. Some anglers even focus upon fishing during nighttime periods. Outdoor activities can be enjoyed during this month but one has to be prepared to handle the warm temperatures and humidity with plenty of liquids and sun protection.

Despite the heat and humidity, anglers can still enjoy fishing during this time of year. Though I find it extremely uncomfortable attempting to fish on area lakes during the heat of the day, good angling can still be found during early morning and evening hours. From daylight until about 10:00 am and those hours after 5:00 pm can be more comfortable for the angler. Fish seem to be more active at these times as well.

Anglers can also explore fishing during evening hours. Fish can often be found somewhat shallower during these hours. You may need specialized lighting equipment on your boat or at your fishing locale to illuminate your fishing area. Tying knots and managing your fishing equipment can be impossible without adequate lighting. Some of the waters that I fish have lighted docks. These attract fish during the evening hours making them easier to target. Crappie, bream, bass, and hybrids can be caught in such locales. Larger lakes and reservoirs will also be less crowded and quieter during evening time periods. Remember navigation lighting rules when operating a boat during low light time periods.

The summertime months can also be good times to explore other waters. Fishing rivers and streams with shade and tree cover on the banks will extend your fishing time during daytime hours. Generally, rivers and streams will have somewhat cooler waters and their shaded banks will provide more fish holding structure during morning and evening time periods. Flowing water over shoals will provide fish holding areas not found on lakes and reservoirs.

Summer months are also good times to fish smaller lakes and ponds. These waters are usually not crowded and may be easier to locate fish even in deep water as the lake is smaller in size. During these months, I enjoy fishing some smaller lakes located in East Alabama and West Georgia. These lakes have a maximum depth of around 15 to 20 feet. Fish can usually be found in the deeper waters of these lakes. Both Georgia and Alabama, have several public fishing areas with smaller lakes where the fish may be more active and easier to locate. Internet searches on state wildlife agency websites can provide the locations for these public fishing areas.

Don’t give up on fishing during the hot summer months. If you adapt to fishing a variety of waters, the time of day when you are fishing, and your fishing techniques, fish can still be found and caught. Be safe. Look out for other boaters and other recreational water users and remember to re-hydrate yourself.

Dr. Andrew Cox is a contributing writer to outdoor publications and newspapers. His writing interests specialize in angling and travel, human interest, and general fishing technique oriented topics. He is a member of the Georgia Outdoor Writer’s Association. He has been fishing the waters of Georgia, Alabama, and north Florida for over forty years. He has also fished the waters of most states within the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and several Caribbean islands. He enjoys fresh and saltwater fishing for bass, bream, crappie, trout, redfish, and speckled trout using fly, bait casting, and spinning equipment. Dr. Cox financially supports his fishing habits as Professor Emeritus at Troy University, Phenix City, Alabama. He may be contacted at andrewtrout@aol.com.