12/02/10 Lake Lanier Fishing Report

Fishing remains good but it is a hide and seek game. Finding the fish is the key as they are scattered lake wide. The pattern is totally different from the North end to the South end. The fish are in the backs of the North end creeks from Sardus to Wahoo. The trick as always this time of year is find the bait and fish the creeks with the most bait. Free lining Trout and Herring while casting a Captain Mack's 1/2 oz bucktail jig with a fluke has been the winner. Vary your free lines from 50 to 100 feet back and weight the shorter lines with one or two split shots. Planner boards can also be used with baits 20 feet behind the board. I always keep a down rod over the side and fish it as close to the bottom as possible. The fish are scattered all over on the South end creeks. Most have moved from the mouth of the creeks to half way back. Baldridge, Shoal Creek, Two Mile, Six Mile and Big Creek have been the best producers. The birds will help you on the South end so keep your eyes open. The fish are not staying up long but they will suspend 20 - 40 ft. deep over 60 -80 ft bottom so use your Lowrance to scan the area where you see surfacing fish. Umbrella rigs will also work and make a good search tool. The trick for the South end is to keep moving until you locate the fish or large schools of bait.