Stripers are hit or miss

Capt. Mike Maddalena
January 26, 2011
Lake Lanier - Freshwater Fishing Report

Striper fishing has been fair this week. The backs of the creeks are colder than the middle due to the cold water run-off from the melting snow. Consequently, the bait and the fish are holding in the middle of the creeks. There is an early morning and late afternoon bite. Live bait is working during these times with smaller minnows and threadfin shad outperforming the herring and trout. Keep your eyes open for the sea gulls and they will help pinpoint the feeding fish. Pulling free lines 80 - 100 ft. back and down rods at 20 -35 ft early and late are your best bet. When you are pulling baits always keep someone on the front deck casting a 1/2 oz. bucktail jig with a small fluke trailer. Pulling an umbrella rig late morning and early afternoon is your best bet to trigger a reaction bite from inactive fish. Focus on points and humps with 4 arm umbrella rigs loaded with 1 oz. bucktails and white 4 inch shad bodies pulled 100 -120 feet back. The fish are scattered lake wide but flat creek and four mile has been the best producers. Keep your eyes on the water temperature. As the temperature warms the backs of the creeks should heat up first and draw bait and fish onto the shallow flats. If and when this warming trend happens put your planner boards 2 -3 feet off the bank with bait 10 -15 feet behind the board and hold on!

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