Lake Lanier Fishing Report – November 2018

Lanier: Level: 1.5 feet low. Temp: Low 70s. Clarity: The lake is going through its fall turnover, but the fishing is still very good.

Bass: Tournament angler Ryan Coleman reports, “The cool and windy days have started here on Lake Lanier. The water temps have started to fall, and the fish are starting to feed again. We have a few bites that are going well right now, and it’s time to get out there and chunk and wind. My best pattern right now is to fish spinnerbaits on windy points all over the mid-lake area, as well as the south end. Look for points that have the wind blowing directly on them, and keep a full cast distance off them, and chunk heavy spinnerbaits. I am using a SpotSticker Baits 1-oz. Mini-Me spinnerbait in any shad or white color with painted blades. The painted blades are the deal here on Lanier and have been for a very long time. This is a old pattern that has been working for decades and will continue to work for us until the end of the year. The 1-oz. Mini-Me is a compact bait with high-end hardware and great balance for the spotted bass. For the most part, I am using the blue billet, spot-c-ducer or platinum-pearl colors with painted, white, double willowleaf blades. I am fishing the Mini-Me on a 7-foot medium- to heavy-action St. Croix Avid rod and 15-lb. monofilament line. Making a long cast is critical, so make sure you have the right setup for the 1-oz. bait. Keep the bait moving with this technique. Do not slow-roll. The water temps are still up there, and the fish are willing to chase. Make sure to have a free swinging trailer hook on your Mini-Me at all times. Never fish a spinnerbait in open water without one. You can also work a jig-head worm on a SpotSticker Crawler head on steep, rocky banks from 5 to 25 feet deep. This is a great alternative pattern when the wind dies. Just use a finesse rod with 8-lb. line, and work the baits slowly down the bluffs. Good luck out there.”