Fishing news

Lake Lanier Fishing Report A sampling of fishing information and tips from area experts

Level: Lake is full Clarity: Main lake clear, creeks stained Temperature: 70s

Bass Fishing

Bass fishing on Lanier is challenging right now. The combination of the weather changes and the bass being in post spawn have created a fishing situation that takes some patience and work.

While it may be difficult for some there are some good bags of fish being coming in. The top water bite has slowed a few weeks ago but should be increasing quickly with the warmer weather that we have coming up. As the temperature finally goes above 70 and the bass recovering from spawn this bite should explode.

Work a walking bait such as a Spook or Sammy on long points, reef poles and 15- to 25-foot deep brush. If the fish don’t want to come to the surface work a Sebile or Kitech over the same areas. Move up on the brush and utilize a drop shot to catch bass. On days that have wind work with a noise bait such as a small Whopper Plopper, Chug Bug or Pencil Popper.

It seems that chrome is working better on bright sunny days and bone or white is working better on cloudy days. When you move away from the brush a Carolina Rig worked on 20-foot deep humps will draw some strikes. A small green pumpkin lizard has been a very steady bait to use. When you are looking at dock fishing work the docks that are 15 feet deep or less with a shakey head. Right now you need to start the day with an open mind and work through the various patterns to see what they want that day. Lanier bass can change their mind hour to hour so be flexible. They are out there to catch but you may have to work a little Go Catch ‘Em!

This bass report is from Phil Johnson: pjohnson15@hotmail. com, 770 366 8845.

Crappie Fishing

Crappie fishing is good. Water temperatures are in the low 70s. The hot bite target zone is 10-15 foot deep. The crappie are on the docks and also can be found on open water brush piles and blow downs. I always put out a crappie minnow. If you have live scope or active imaging set the minnows just above the fish. Right now I am setting the minnows around 10 to 12 feet deep. For best results use a live minnow.

Look under docks that are in 20 to 40 feet of water near a main channel and have brush or structure use your electronic charts to locate these areas.

Remember crappie love the shade so cast into the shadows of a dock. Try different Jigs colors and jig styles jigs can be used for short casting, vertical jigging, trolling or dock shooting. When dock shooting the biggest fish are usually the first to hit. Let your jig sink and give it time to get down to the fish and retrieve your jig slowly.

The most productive jig colors are chartreuse and green (blue grass) and the White with chartreuse tail (monkey milk). Recently I was 50 percent minnows and 50 percent jigs. I’m using ATX lure company’s plastics that can be purchased locally at Sherries Bait and BBQ or the Dam Store. I use the K9 5 pound test high visibility yellow braid for my line (unless I am using a bobber) and a Piscifun reel on an Acc crappie Stix. I use Garmin Live Scope and the Navionics Boating app.

This crappie report was filed by Captain Josh Thornton, 770530-6493.

More area fishing news Page 47

ENJOY SAFE FISHING ON THE LAKE!

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Lanier boater invents tool to help riders board boats, jet skis

By Pamela A. Keene

If you’ve ever been challenged to get back into a boat or reboard a jet ski, Bill Tannahill has invented a solution. His Nautical Boarding Strap, which comes in two sizes, can be attached to boats and jet skis and remain in place to assist with boarding.

“Made of UV protected nylon, the strap won’t damage boats because there are no metal parts or snaps to scrap the sides,” Tannahill said. “It can attach to the ring on the back of a jet ski, the seat or handlebars, and on any of the connectors on a boat.”

The straps come in 18- and 42inch lengths; the shorter one is designed for jet skis and the longer one can be used on boats. Custom sizes are available.

“The boarding strap eliminates the need to lower a ladder or step into the water,” he said. “All you have to do is grab onto the strap to pull yourself up to board.”

Tannahill first made prototypes and tested them in Lake Lanier. “Frankly, it’s easier to board using the strap than a ladder.”

Bill and his wife Diane have lived in Cumming on Lake Lanier since 2003. They often take their grandchildren and adult children boating on their pontoon boat or jet ski.

They moved to Georgia from Los Angeles where Tannahill had served in the Los Angeles City Fire Department.

Nautical Boarding Straps are currently available at Skiers Marine Atlanta on Ga. 53 and at Habersham Marina. For information, call Tannahill at 770 5615717.

The Nautical Boarding Strap, which comes in two sizes, can be attached to boats and jet skis.

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