Lake Lanier Fishing Report May 2018

Lanier: Level: 0.3 feet low. Temp: 60 degrees. Clarity: The south end is very clear, and the north end has some stain from recent rain.

Bass: Guide Ryan Coleman reports, “There are a ton of fish, both largemouth and spotted bass, up on beds, and that has slowed the bite a little. The best for numbers of fish has been to run the backs of pockets around the grass or last few docks in the pockets with spinnerbaits, plastics rigged on jig heads or spinnerbaits. I have also been catching a few fish on wake baits, but that bite is just starting. There are a few fish that have finished and are starting to move back out on the main lake, and that should get better over the next few weeks. Topwater flukes and jigs should be the best baits for the postspawn fish that are holding out on brush in 25 feet of water. Look for some of the bigger postspawn spots to start to roam the deep flats on the main lake. These fish are suckers for a 6-inch finesse worm rigged on a jig head on light tackle.” 

Stripers: Guide Clay Cunningham reports, “The water temperature is finally getting to where it is suppose to be, and the fish have responded. The live-bait bite has been good on herring and medium shiners. That being said, the shiner bite will most likely be tapering off in May. In May, look for the herring to be the best live bait. Spool up a Penn Squall Linecounter reel with 15-lb. Trilene Big Game on a Shakespeare Striper rod. Then be sure to match your hook size to the bait size. Use a Gamakatsu No. 4 Octopus hook on the medium shiners and a Gamakatsu No. 1 Octopus hook on the herring. Be sure to use a Trilene 100% Flourocarbon leader. Pull the herring over points at 1 mph. The topwater bite is also heating up. Rig up a 7-foot Fenwick medium-action rod with 12-lb. Trilene Big Game line, your favorite topwater lure, and be prepared for the stripers to try to take it away from you. Be sure to take a variety of baits, like the Cordell Red-Fin, the Sebile Magic Swimmer and the Heddon Super Spook. Every day a different one will be the ticket. Personally, the Sebile Magic Swimmer is my favorite. The white liner and halo greenie are two of the key colors. It is a swimbait, so not really a topwater bait, but the stripes love it. No special retrieve, just cast the Magic Swimmer, and reel it in until you think you hooked a submarine.”