Lake Lanier Fishing Report May 21st - 26th
Lake Lanier Weekly Report
26 May 2023
Water Level: 1.68 feet BELOW full pool.
Water Temp: As of Wednesday, on the south end, water temps were hovering around 71 on Garmin and 75 on Lowrance. Temps are slightly higher in the backs of creeks and up the rivers.
Water Clarity: As has been the case for the past few weeks, the water is clear on the main lake with an increasing amount stain as you go back in the major creeks and up the rivers, especially above 369. Expect to find strong mud lines Memorial Day weekend due to boat traffic and wind.
I fished the Big Bass Tour on Lake Chickamauga last weekend, so that cut into my Lanier time for this week. I was out three days before heading West for the Memorial Day week. As a result, this report will be a little shorter than normal. But to make up for that, I have posted a video on how I work the Cast Fishing Co - USA OG (link below). As for the bite on Lanier, it is improving, but was inconstant day to day.
Most of the fish I found this week were on points and humps near dry land. Meaning, these fish were hanging out on areas that is only a short distance from places they spawned in. Brush in 15-25 FOW was key. While the fish were not always fixed on the brush, they were in the general area. If you have FFS, you can use it to help identify these schools that are just in the area roaming around. This is particularly true early and late in the day as well as on overcast days.
I am approaching catching these fish by starting out with top water for a few casts. If they don’t react, I will pick up something that is a mid-column or bottom bait. A Lanier Baits FZNH20 jerk shad produced well one day this past week. But this was not always the case. On a different day, the fish refused to come up and hit anything high in the water column. BUT we were able to get them to bite a Georgia Blade Headquarters jig and a Z-man TRD. This adjustment turned the day around for us and we were able to have a very respectable day on the water. We fished these two baits in the same areas we had been throwing top water and soft jerk baits. Sometimes the fish would hit the jig on the fall, while other times it would get hit while slowly dragging it across the bottom. While this is not the most exciting way to catch fish during the summer, it can be deadly on those days when the fish refuse to play ball with top water.
As we move into the summer, I will also keep a DS and a spy bait handy. Like the jig and shaky head, these two baits will save the day from now through September. Our fish will be pressured heavily over the next few weeks, and there will be days where a more finesse approach will be needed. Both the DS and the spy bait are great techniques to get bites as well as hook into some giants on very light tackle.
For June, I have the 3rd and 4th, 13-15, 17-26th, 29-30th. I am only running ½ day trips on the weekends. Additionally, if you prefer an afternoon to dark trip, that is available as well. Please reach out if you are interested in getting out on the water.
Daily updates are available at: https://Jeffnail.uscreen.io
CAST OG Video link: https://jeffnail.uscreen.io/programs/og-704f71
Jeff
770-715-9933
Jeffnailfishing@gmail.com
Jeffnailfishing.net
#hammondsfishingcenter #LanierBaits #TritonBoats #trixstercustombaits #stcroixrods #castfishingco #gillfishing #Spotchoker
