05-07-2003, 02:58 PM
LAKE LANIER/CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT
5-7-03
Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier have risen into the 70's, and the
lake level is about 2 feet above normal pool and rising. Most of Lake
Lanier’s fish population is in the middle of the spawning process,
and the fishing right now is fantastic!!!!
The absolute best fishing right now is for BIG spotted bass!!! They
are in prime condition prior to the spawn on the full moon, May 15th,
and are feeding frantically!! However, due to the higher water
levels, we've found that most are holding farther away from the
shorelines than normal. So, instead of the smaller 1/8th ounce
Swirleybirds that we normally use, we have found that these magnum
spots have a hunger for the new 1/4 and 3/8 ounce Striper Series
Swirleybirds, and during the past week, I have caught great numbers
of 2 to 4 pound spots with these lures in 8 to 15 feet of water. This
great fishing should continue throughout the month of May!!!
Striped bass are spawning on many of the mainlake humps and points in
very shallow water. They can be caught on jerkbaits, flukes, topwater
lures, or the new Striper Series Swirleybirds, but most are being
taken on larger, live minnows of some type on a flat line.
Crappie fishing is good at night under many of the bridges with live
minnows.
When water is not being released and the river is not badly stained,
trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam is good for
both rainbow and browns. Swirleybird spinners, sinking and floating
Rapalas, and wet flies are great for trout at this time.
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and
photography, and has been inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall
of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-289-1543,
[url "mailto:JFish51@aol.com"]JFish51@aol.com[/url], or at his web site: [url "http://www.fishinglanier.com"]www.fishinglanier.com[/url]
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5-7-03
Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier have risen into the 70's, and the
lake level is about 2 feet above normal pool and rising. Most of Lake
Lanier’s fish population is in the middle of the spawning process,
and the fishing right now is fantastic!!!!
The absolute best fishing right now is for BIG spotted bass!!! They
are in prime condition prior to the spawn on the full moon, May 15th,
and are feeding frantically!! However, due to the higher water
levels, we've found that most are holding farther away from the
shorelines than normal. So, instead of the smaller 1/8th ounce
Swirleybirds that we normally use, we have found that these magnum
spots have a hunger for the new 1/4 and 3/8 ounce Striper Series
Swirleybirds, and during the past week, I have caught great numbers
of 2 to 4 pound spots with these lures in 8 to 15 feet of water. This
great fishing should continue throughout the month of May!!!
Striped bass are spawning on many of the mainlake humps and points in
very shallow water. They can be caught on jerkbaits, flukes, topwater
lures, or the new Striper Series Swirleybirds, but most are being
taken on larger, live minnows of some type on a flat line.
Crappie fishing is good at night under many of the bridges with live
minnows.
When water is not being released and the river is not badly stained,
trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam is good for
both rainbow and browns. Swirleybird spinners, sinking and floating
Rapalas, and wet flies are great for trout at this time.
Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and
photography, and has been inducted into the Freshwater Fishing Hall
of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-289-1543,
[url "mailto:JFish51@aol.com"]JFish51@aol.com[/url], or at his web site: [url "http://www.fishinglanier.com"]www.fishinglanier.com[/url]
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