Lake Lanier Fishing Report April 22nd - 28th

Lake Lanier Weekly Report

28 April 2023

Water Level: 0.18 feet ABOVE full pool.

Water Temp: Morning water temps have dipped back down to 59/60 on Garmin the past two days. Afternoon water temps were in the low to mid 60s Friday afternoon. These numbers should rise with the projected forecast over the next week.

Water Clarity: The water is clearing. The main lake is clear with increasing amounts of stain in the backs of the creeks and as you move up the rivers.

I was on the water 6 of the last 7 days. Fishing has remained steady over the past week. I spent time from above HWY 53 on both rivers down to Shoal and YD Creeks. My best bite this week was targeting post spawn fish that are feeding on herring. The emerging bite is targeting all the fish that are pushing up to spawn down on the main lake.

For me, the best herring eater bite has moved from shallow clay to marinas and bridges. Those areas produced my biggest fish this week. There are still some shallow clay points that are holding fish north of Browns Bridge, but not near as many as over the past few weeks. When you find one of these post spawn schools, you can camp out on them if you like. On Sunday, I told my client that it was time to leave three times. Each time I told him it was time to go, he would catch a 3+lb fish. Then nothing for 10-15 min then he would catch another.

For the herring eaters, there were four baits that produced the best over the past week: a soft jerk bait, Robo worm, Mini-me spinnerbait, and spot choker. The best bait varied from day to day. I would rotate between them until the fish told me what they preferred that day. The underspin was probably the most consistent day in and day out for these fish. My underspin of choice this week was the 3/8oz spot choker in both the standard and pro models. I used a 2.8 or 3.3 Keitech on the underspin and would work this bait slowly down in the water column targeting fish that wanted to feed but would not come up for something higher in the water column.

On the bridges and marinas, I would start with one of the hard baits to pick off the most aggressive fish then I would switch to the Robo worm. I would pitch the worm up next to the cover and let it flutter down past where the fish are holding. If I did not get bit, I reeled it in and repeated the process. Most of these bites were coming 10-20ft below the surface.

I have seen more bass on or moving to beds below Brown’s Bridge in the past week than I have during any week in April. As we approach the full moon in early May and the water temps stabilize in the mid to upper 60s, there should be a huge wave flood the banks down south. To target these fish, I am using the pitch shot with a 4in zoom dead ringer. I am targeting shade lines in 6-10ft of water. The other thing to target is the line where you can no longer see the bottom. Right past this line is where you will find many of these fish sitting. The shade lines can be made by rocks, docks, tires, concrete, trees, etc. I am fishing the likely places then reeling in and pitching at the next likely target. The key to this is covering water. You are looking for the most aggressive fish. Additionally, you have to put the bait where the fish are likely located, that means into the dock slips, over cables, and into the outside limbs of blow downs. The way I look at it is I can’t catch the fish if I don’t get it to bite and I can’t get it to bite if I don’t but the bait where the fish is. This is power finesse fishing at its finest. You will not feel most of the bites, rather, you will see the line start moving, generally towards deeper water.

For May, I have the 1-4th, 10-14th, 22nd, and 24th available. Please reach out if you are interested in getting out on the water. Last year, May was my best month for numbers with some great size mixed in as well. This year is setting up to be a good one as well. Keep in mind, the full moon is May 5th which can lead to good fishing.

Jeff

770-715-9933

Jeffnailfishing@gmail.com

Jeffnailfishing.net

Jeffnail.uscreen.io

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