Lake Lanier Weekly Report December 26th - 30th
Lake Lanier Weekly Report for 30 December 2022
Water Level: 2.81 feet below full pool
Water Temps: 45-50
The main lake is clear with visibility in the 8+ range on the south end. Up the rivers are stained. With the coming rain, color should remain or even increase in the backs of the creeks and up the rivers.
The Arctic blast over Christmas weekend dropped the surface temps down to a more typical late December level. With that, there are some things to keep in mind. Generally, shallow water will cool and warm quicker than deep water and darker water will warm quicker than clear water. So what does this mean?
With surface temps in the high 40s low 50s, warming water can be a big advantage to the fisherman. Like all fish, baitfish are cold blooded. They will seek out warmer water for two reasons; food and comfort. This “warmer” water can often be found shallow for the reasons stated above. The bait will move towards the slightly warmer water, and the bass will follow. Areas where you are likely to find this warmer water are the backs of creeks with water flowing into them that have relatively deep water nearby.
If the water is really dumping into the lake causing some current, don’t be afraid of very stained water. I had two fantastic days with clients last winter fishing this pattern. A lot of the times I found that out that the water was clear(er) below the surface. Think of it as a horizontal rather than vertical mud line.
Now, on to the good stuff.
I fished two days this week before taking some time with the family over New Years. I spent both days down south, focusing on 6 Mile and YD creeks.
I found my fish relatively deep, deeper than I prefer to fish, in 30 FOW out to about 50 FOW. I did not see the large, thick schools of bait that I had been seeing before Christmas. Rather, I saw smaller balls of bait that were glued to the bottom. Around these balls of bait, I’d find the fish.
On Monday, the 2.8 Kietech on a 3/8oz guppy head and a 1/2oz Spot Choker did all the damage. As usual, these baits were fished slowly along the bottom. A stop and go retrieve was not effective. A slow steady retrieve, keeping the bait in contact with the bottom was needed.
On Tuesday, the 1/2oz War Eagle spoon was the ticket. A slower, more controlled jigging motion seamed to be more productive than the more typical ripping upward motion.
Some key features this week: As with last week, a hard bottom was more productive than a soft one. If the bottom was uneven/ rough, even better. Additionally, “holes” in and along ditches were productive as well. Look for an area within the ditch that is deeper than the areas all around it. These depressions can be sunken road beds or just natural depressions.
With the expected rains, I expect the bite to happen a little further back (shallower) in the creeks with water flowing in them. Otherwise, I’m looking for those depressions, timber edges, and any other change in terrain feature along the sides of the ditches.
As 2022 comes to an end, I want to thank everyone for the support. Whether it be through booking trips, or interaction through social media, it is greatly appreciated. I have some things that I will be rolling out in 2023 that will hopefully only build upon what I have started in 2022. My goal for 2023 is to continue helping everyone catch more fish, and enjoy the outdoors.
The first two weeks of January 2023 are almost booked up, but I still have a number of days available later on in the month. I have also started booking for February.
For those interested in the CAST braid, Ryan told me they will be restocked in the next couple of weeks. I’ll make a post when that happens. Please shoot me a PM if you would like some more specifics on it.
As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.
Best of luck to all on the water this week!
Jeff
770-715-9933
Jeffnailfishing@gmail.com
