Lake Lanier Fishing Report April 2016

Lanier: Level: 0.9 feet below full. Temp: Low 60s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Excellent. Tournament angler Ryan Coleman reports, “There are fish all over the banks right now in just about every stage of spawning. With the fish up on the banks, just about every technique is working, as you might imagine. We are catching fish around boat docks on worms and crawlers, as well as a swim jig. You can also work a topwater bait around the shallow docks and draw a few out for some great strikes. A spinnerbait worked in pockets with wind has been one of our best techniques for the bigger fish, as well as around reef poles on the lower end early in the day. A white- or shad-colored spinnerbait with white willows has been deadly out on the rocky reef poles early in the day and any time the wind is blowing. When the wind slows, work a green-pumpkin worm on a 3/16-oz. jig head around the reef poles in 5 to 10 feet of water to pick up some great fish. We are still catching fish on a jerkbait around the points and pockets, and that should stay strong for another few weeks. The fish that are staging to spawn are cruising the shallows and will eat the jerkbait or spinnerbait. For spinnerbaits, we are using a Mini-Me in a shad color with painted blades. Blue billet, blue glimmer or platinum pearl have been great choices. Keep the bait moving along, and be ready for some great bites. Some guys are using slow-moving topwater baits along the shore and pockets to pick up some early topwater action, and that should pick up as April rolls around. The postspawn fish will start to get active as they move off the beds.”