Lake Lanier Fishing Report – October 2010

Lanier: Level: 2.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 80-82 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Spotted Bass: Fair. Ryan Coleman reports, “I have moved shallow over the past week with jigs and worms to catch some nice fish. I have mostly been using a Creepy Crawler and jig-head worm on steep rock banks in 5 to 15 feet of water for some nice spots. The cooler night temps should lower the surface temps and get the fish moving. During the turnover, concentrate on the baitfish to find the active spotted bass. The baitfish will seek out the better water, which will guide you to the spotted bass that will eat. We should get a good topwater and swimbait bite throughout October over brush and long points with structure. Also, look for these fish to stack up on main-lake points as we get these fall fronts rolling in throughout the month.”

Largemouth: Fair. Billy Boothe reports, “I’m catching a decent number of fish right now pitching a green-pumpkin Mann’s Franken Toad to isolated docks and laydowns. I’m starting to see more shad moving back in the creeks. Look for flats with isolated cover. If there’s shad around it, you can bet it’s holding a bass. Swim an albino-flash 5/16-oz. TABU jig by the cover or throw a weightless white Mann’s Wonder Worm. On windy days, target wind-blown, rocky, secondary points with a chrome 3/8-oz. Yo-Zuri Rattlin Vibe or a 1/4-oz. War Eagle spinnerbait in the spot-remover color. If the bite gets tough or you’re having trouble locating fish, throw a light Carolina rig with a watermelon-red Mann’s Hardnose Worm down the first break off the flats. If you’re after big fish, throw a 1/4-oz. blue-glimmer buzzbait all day around rip-rap laydowns and grass.”

Stripers: Good. Shane Watson Guide Service reports, “The striper fishing has been strong most days. The last two days have been exceptional on leadcore and on downlined bluebacks. We are still catching many fish out over the main channel, and we are also getting on some nice schools over a 50- to 60-foot bottom. We expect a great topwater bite over the next six weeks or so, as the surface temps continue to drop.” Clay Cunningham reports, “As of today, the trolling bite continues on Lake Lanier with the Pulse jig by Buckeye Lures on leadcore line out nine colors. With fall around the corner, the stripers will most likely be on points and humps on the south end of the lake and umbrella rigs will be the ticket. Good electronics will be important. Once the water temperature gets into the low 70s, look for the stripers to school on topwater. Be sure to keep the 7-inch chrome-and-blue Redfin tied on at all times and maybe a Houston Bleeding Shad Super Spook. Most years the topwater bite will start around the second week of October.”