Lake Lanier Striper Fishing Report – 01/18/2012
The most up to date Lake Lanier Striper Fishing Report on the web!!
Striper fishing is good. There are a good number of birds in the south end creeks from Six Mile Creek south to the dam. However, every time I have tried the south end creeks the birds have not been working and I have not been able to find any fish and very little bait. I think it is more of a social hang out for the birds than a feeding area. Your best bet is from Flat creek to the north end creeks. The backs of the creeks and the rivers are stained with all the rain and storms. Fish from the heavily stained water out to the mouth of the creeks. Spend some time finding the bait and fish only where you find high concentrations of bait. The majority of the bait has been over the creek channels half way back in the creeks. downsize your baits. If you can throw the net get some Threadfin Shad and use those. If not, take some medium shiners, very small trout and small herring. The downrod bite just
over the bait is your best bet. However, if you are searching an area put out a couple weighted free lines and planner boards with your downrods. Keep your eyes open for birds and follow their lead. If they are diving at bait and you can get to the fish before they disperse, throw a Mack Farr 1/2 oz bucktail with a small fluke trailer. You can also use a spinning rod to toss a small Herring or Threadfin on a weighted float into the center of the
activity. Keep your bait about three feet below the float. If the Birds are actively searching an area, set out a spread with weighted free lines and downrods. If the birds are sitting down and not working, ignore them and move on. You can also use Umbrella rigs to quickly search an area. However, check them often for pine straw and leaves picked up due to the rain and wind. Remember to keep your hook size matched to the size of your bait. Balus, Flat, and Short creek are good places to start mid lake. On the North end try Johnson, Lathem, Sardis, Wahoo and Little River.
Check with US Army Corps of Engineers web site to find a list of the ramps that are open before going out. Due to the low lake level a significant number of ramps are closed. Be sure to enter the correct elevation!
