Lake Lanier is down 3.3 feet, the creeks are slightly stained and the main lake is clear and 74 degrees…

Largemouth bass fishing is fair and there are small bass biting in the backs of the creeks lake wide. Lots of small bass even down lake are showing up, and that is a good sign. Early morning start cranking with Shad Raps, both the jointed and suspending models are producing in the natural shad and crawdad colors. Look for the channel markers early in the morning up in the creeks like Taylor and up in Little River. Start there on the larger flats and use jigs in browns and small crawfish lures like the Larew small craws on a Texas rig. All baits need to be tossed in any heavy brush, docks or trees that are lying on the sides of these flats and points. Clay points and a DT6 and a DT10 hot mustard Rapala crank bait on 10 pound test are good choices. Use a stop and go pattern and bump the bottom. The middle of the up lake creeks are best. Stay away from the very backs of the creeks. Any combination of browns and greens seem to be the best colors this week. Culprit red shad worms on a light Texas rig will work mid day until dark. Pick docks on the outside bends of the mid lake creeks. The DT10 parrot crank baits have been fair but most of the fish are all small. Not many fish are taking buzz baits (maybe blame this bite on the “smoke”?).

Spotted bass fishing is great all day and there is a great early top water lake wide. Top water will break out at any time so be ready. These fish are on main lake humps at 25 feet up and down lake. Get the Navionics chip and you will find several. The fish are making their transition into their summer patterns and summer holding areas. Some fish can still be caught in the back of coves on deeper docks. Only the small bass are shallow and they will drive you crazy biting at baits and not taking them. Pop R’s, High Rollers and the Spittin Image in the shad colors work and cast them right on the bank. Burn the top water baits back skipping them really fast over the surface. Half way back on the cast, stop the bait and HOLD ON! Largemouth and spots as well as stripers will take these baits. Fish shallow and fish fast as the fish are feeding before the sun hits the water. Around any of the lakes docks, skip Zoom Super Fluke under them and let the baits sink with a 4/0 Mustad hook. Watch the line (I use a spinning reel and the Berkley Fireline Crystal 10 pound test) and work the baits under as many docks as possible, especially under the high sun. Points, humps and deep natural structure at 19 to 30 feet are best. Any of the main lake rocky points are hot. Keep a small all silver top water bait ready for any surface feeding. Also use the Fat Albert pearl grub and skip docks anywhere on the lake. These fish are very willing to eat top water baits. Use any size Lucky Craft Sammy (I like the Sammy 85) and a silver Storm Chug Bug. The colors that are most reflective to imitate a shad or blue back Herring forage have seemed to have been working the best. Look for fish to start to venture more heavily to the 20 to 30 foot range as their forage goes to deeper water a typical pre summer pattern.

Striper fishing is very good and top water is HOT! Head to the dam and cast any large top water bait on any reef marker or point. If you can see the dam, you are close to fish (big spots too!) Have the Red Fin or a large Super Zara Spook top water lure on a rod ready to cast to any top water. Even if you do not see surfacing fish, they are there! The mouth of Bald Ridge Creek to the dam is great. There are fish around Mary Alice Park towards Bald Ridge Marina also. The south end is the better area right now though mid lake has been producing also. Main lake points in the creek mouths are good areas. You will have to move around a lot and cover as much water as possible. Down lining live blue back herring is also getting a few fish as well as flat lines and also planer boards. Fish these baits between 20 to 30 feet deep using a 2 ounce lead sinker and approximately a 6 foot 10 pound test fluorocarbon leader. Watch your depth finder for the any fish and they will be from 25 to 40 feet over deeper water. Shad are good indications that even though the stripers are not under the boat; they can be very close by. For the best bite, go early as the best time of day has been early morning. Many anglers are taking advantage of the early bite and then getting off the lake by 10am. There are a fish biting the umbrella rig and it will get better as the water gets warmer. Anglers that use a variety of tactics will be able to adjust to this strange May and June. We may jump right into summer so be ready to adjust your tactics.

Crappie fishing is best on the bridges all over the lake and live bait is best. Pick a set of pilings and stick with them all night and the fish are at 12 feet almost lake wide. The bridges have been very good but there are lots of boats there so get there early.

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