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Lake Sidney Lanier ramp calculator:  once on the spread sheet, at the word HERE blank that word out and then add the current lake level for that day. Today's elevation is 1061.83. Hit enter and the spread sheet will automatically calculate the end of the ramps for the entire lake

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Georgia Fishing Guides

Report Updated June 26, 2009

LAKE LANIER IS DOWN 4.6 FEET AND CREEKS ARE STAINED AND THE MAIN LAKE IS CLEAR AND 84 DEGREES.

Bass fishing is fair. Trick worms and Shad Raps on wood in the creeks has been the best action. In the heat of the day, the fishing is tough. The bass seem to feed early and then late during twilight hours. The buzz bait is a good way to cover lots of water and this bait usually draws better fish in the summer. Use both the small blades and then go to the larger blades and also mix up the colors in the skirts. There is no set bait the bass seem to key on, just make tons of casts to the structure. Many anglers are using almost a pitch cast and are concentrating on the wood. Casting close, into and around all the wood and some docks has worked. Zoom pearl Super Flukes are still working around docks in the mid part of the up lake creeks. During the day, the Zoom Trick worm in June bug on a 3 foot Carolina rig will force anglers to fish deeper to the levels that the fish are holding, 12 to 16 feet off the main river points. The river fishing seems better with the cooler water having the black bass more active. Above Gainesville Marina up to and past the Clarks Bridge area is the best bet.

Spotted bass fishing is good early in the day and after night. The early bite is great so get on the lake as early as half an hour before daybreak. Once the crowd wakes up and heads to the lake, fishing gets tough. Go into any marina and fish as many docks as possible. The Shad Head Runner by JP’s Jigs and Rigs in the ½ ounce head has been working with a small Zoom Fluke in all white. Early and at dusk use the Rico and then the Sammy in aurora black. On any rock point, use the Zoom Fat Albert grubs in root beer pepper green. For some super sized spotted bass, put a blue back on a spinning rod and 10 pound test line on a live bait hook. Fish over any hump or point on a small planer board and the spots will take the baits all day. Spotted bass are on the off shore brush piles on points and humps about the 25 feet. Use a Zoom Super Fluke in white and Zoom finesse worms in sand on a light Texas rig. Anytime of the day and night be sure to use Zoom Fat Albert grubs on a 1/16 or 1/8 ounce lead head jig on 8 pound Sufix Elite line. Swim this bait after making a cast right up on the banks. We have had a lot of fish taking Fat Albert grubs on the banks and point’s right off the main river. Add a Bitsy Bug in the smaller sizes as well and a twin tail trailer. Our best colors are root beer pepper green and all black day and night. After dark, take these same baits and hits points and reef markers and fish as late as you can.

Striper fishing is good and the fish are scattered all over the lower lake and live bait and trolling. Lead core and a single one ounce and two ounce Mack Farr Horse Head Jig working on lead core. Use one and two ounce baits and use a different trailer on each to find the bait size and color the fish like. A curly tail trailer and change colors to find the right color. Trolling is a great way to locate your fish if you plan to use live bait. If you’re using lead core, figure about 3 feet per color at a boat speed of about 2.5 mph and let out enough to reach your desired depth. On lead core run out 7 colors with a 30 foot 17 pound leader. Live bait on down lines is also good and be sure to keep a fresh bait on at all times. It may take 4 dozen baits to get to lunch time if you start early at daylight and Hammonds and The Dam Store both have great bait. Be sure to fill your live well with their water as this water is cooler. Salt is a must as well as cool water to keep the herring lively. Keep your live bait a few feet above the depth of the fish you are marking using a 1 1/2 to 2 oz lead sinker and approximately a 6-foot fluorocarbon leader. The bite is consistent throughout the day and the best times have been in the mornings and the later part of the afternoon. There are some fish biting around River Forks Park but these are smaller fish than the ones down south. So far we have not seen a good bite after dark with the Hydroglow but that can change by next week.

Crappie fishing is fair and how the bridges and live bait has been best. Night fishing trip has begun to pick up around the bridge in the lake as well as a few lighted docks. Live bait is best day and night at 12 feet.

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2007 Drought Ramp Construction Info..

The United States Corp of Engineers has been working with the private sector to work on ramps around Lake Lanier. Many ramps out of the water now are being repaired by the Corp. As the water rises this spring, many ramps will reopen a lot sooner as a result of the work the Corp has done.

ATTENTION: The Corp has also established an “Adopt a Ramp” partnership. Within this partnership, many anglers and local businesses have created accounts to accept contributions for this partnership. Anyone can contribute to any ramp project they wish through this program.

Also, there is a “Coffer Dam” project in the works. This is a system that will allow a ramp to be extended that is marginal or even closed. By placing a “dam” around an existing ramp, drawing all the water out and then laying a new base, a new concrete ramp can be extended and then reopened. Only a few ramps have been approved for this particular project due to the slope of the water and the existence of an acceptable and workable foundation at the end of the ramp.

Michael B. Lapina is the Chief Park Ranger that initiated this set of programs. His efforts are to get many ramps repaired and even get one or two ramps re opened as the lake continues to fall. Predictions are that the lake will be 24 feet low by mid January 2008.

This is the current state of the projects.

Michael sent out an e mail this week and said ”concrete was poured at East Bank Ramp by the Corps yesterday. More concrete will be poured Thursday and this supply was paid for by a group of 10 partners who were rallied by Captain Quin. Thanks to Quin and the others for coming through with the supplies to make this possible. Captain Quin has an Adopt A Ramp account for contributions. He also has a signed partnership agreement with the Corps to supply concrete for other ramps as funds become available.”

According to the Crop, should the lake rise soon and we can get 3 feet of water over the new extensions at the East Bank Ramps, the ramps will re opened. Four ramps open anywhere, is a great thing!

Candy Hammond is still diligently working with Forsyth County and with Joey Nichols, who owns Viking Concrete, to use the coffer dam to extend Charleston Park Ramp. This project is on track but they still need some funds to complete this project. The coffer dam will cost around $25,000. Contact Candy if you would like to help!

Tom Mann Jr. and Ryan Coleman have coordinated with the Corps and will be supplying the concrete to extend the ramp at Van Pugh North. Darrell Stone of the US Army Corp of Engineers thinks weather permitting, this ramp may be poured by the 2nd week in January. These anglers will have a Partnership Agreement for this project soon.

Kerry Hicks is forming a partnership with Hall County and they plan to extend the Clarks Bridge Ramp. The idea is to reuse an existing metal extension by placing it into the water after the concrete has been poured to the water level. Contact Kerry if you need more information or want to help with this project .

From Michael B. Lapina: “This is the brief summary. Much more is going on behind the scenes to make this work. Thanks so much to those who are working so diligently to make this effort to come together. Planning, getting contributions, supplies and negotiating the best deal is hard and underappreciated work. I am glad to be working with all of you! Have a Merry Christmas” Michael

If you are interested in assisting with these projects, please contact:
Capt. Quinn, 770 503 5955
Candi Hammond, 770 888 6898
Michael Lapina, 770 945 9531
Ryan Coleman, 770 356 4136

For more information, please contact Michael B. Lapina Chief Park Ranger
US Army Corps of Engineers
Lake Sidney Lanier
P.O. Box 567
Buford, Georgia
770-945-9531

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PRIME SPOTTED BASS TIME IS NOW

By Bill Vanderford

Many anglers look at our current conditions and cringe! High blue skies, bright sunlight, and almost 80 degree days are not considered “text book” times to catch more than 40 bass per day on Lake Lanier. Add to that the fact that most spotted bass seem to be scattered along “nothing-looking” red clay banks in less than 15 feet of water and are attacking a very small lure as though it had magical qualities. All of these conditions go against the standard thinking of most bass fishermen, but that’s exactly what is happening. The best part, however, is that these feisty bass will continue being aggressive in the same general areas until the morning surface temperature exceeds 80 degrees. A little more understanding of this prolific bass can help all anglers be more productive.

The spotted bass was first accurately identified in Kentucky in 1927, and for many years, it was believed to be the only state they inhabited. Because of that mistake, they were called Kentucky spotted bass. Since they have been found in certain areas from coast to coast, however, the Kentucky has been dropped and they are referred to simply as spotted bass.

The coloration of the spotted bass is similar to that of the largemouth bass, but contains a little more brown. The section between the dark upper back and the lateral spotted line appears to have diamond-shaped markings, and the lower side of most spotted bass has several lateral lines that appear gold in color, while the largemouth is usually white. Additionally, with the mouth closed, a spotted bass's lower jaw only comes even with its eye, while the largemouth's extends all the way behind the eye,. The spotted bass's tongue contains a small patch of teeth that looks like a black spot in the middle of the tongue, while the largemouth bass has a slick tongue.

Spotted bass were not stocked in Lanier, but lived in the original river systems that feed the lake. They are a much hardier and faster spreading fish than the largemouth bass, and are more active than any of the black bass. In fact, here at Lanier, nearly eighty to ninety percent of the black bass catch is spotted bass.

Despite heavy fishing pressure and boat traffic, spotted bass grow quickly and in great numbers in Lake Lanier, which allows it to keep its title of the best spotted bass lake in the United States. Even when big weather changes such as major fronts occur, the spotted bass continue feeding, especially during spring and early summer.

The spawning ritual of the spotted bass is very similar to that of the largemouth. They tend, however, to do it later and at greater depths. In fact, spots prefer 5 to 20 feet, but can often be seen spawning with the largemouth bass in the 2 to 5 feet of water. Also, spotted bass usually seek out clay banks rather than the sand chosen by largemouth.

The most fun way to catch spotted bass during April and May is by casting 1/8th ounce Swirleybirds from the shoreline or from a boat near shallow stumps, rocks, and other debris along red clay banks. These practically invisible structures can be seen by using polarized sunglasses and looking for darker shadows. After one is spotted, throw the Swirleybird several feet past the target and swim it slowly near the object. If a male spotted bass is nearby, he'll nail it!

From now until all of the spawning activity is over can be the most productive time of year for spotted bass at Lake Lanier. A bad day for me and my clients during this period is less than 40 bass each day. All that is needed is a little knowledge of the lake, and a few Swirleybirds. These lures are deadly both during the spawn and in the tougher post-spawn period. Anyone who can cast will become an expert with this lure immediately. Since the tiny blade turns from the time it hits the water until it reaches the rod tip at the end of the retrieve, the action is extremely tantalizing to spotted bass and many other fish. These lures can often be as effective from the shoreline as they are from a boat. From the bank, look for deeper rock or rip rap formations, blown down trees, docks, or over brushy areas in many of the Corps of Engineers parks.

Fly fishing enthusiasts may also capitalize on this prime time of year for spotted bass by using the new, much smaller, flyrod-sized Swirleybird. Regardless of how one goes about it, by thinking small and slow and making plenty of casts, a day of fishing on Lake Lanier right now is guaranteed to leave every angler with wonderful memories!

Bill Vanderford has won numerous awards for his writing and photography, and has been inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Guide. He can be reached at 770-289-1543, at JFish51@aol.com, or at his web site: www.fishinglanier.com  

LAKE LANIER AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER FISHING REPORT
by Bill Vanderford

4/1/08

Surface temperatures at Lake Lanier are creeping above 60 degrees, and the lake level is about 15 feet below normal pool and rising. Spring has finally arrived and Lake Lanier's fish are feeding heavily, especially bass, stripers, and crappies. 

Stripers are being caught in 5  to 20 feet of water on live herring and 1/4 ounce Swirleybird spinners near the backs of major creek channels. Crappies have moved into brush all over the lake, and are beginning to spawn. The big spotted bass are going nuts chasing 3/16th and 1/8th ounce Swirleybirds in less than 10 feet of water, and "Swirleybird Season" has begun and will get better as the water warms! 

We're actively booking jet boat trips for walleyes, stripers, and shoal bass on the upper Chattahoochee River. We're also beginning to book father/son or mother/daughter trips to see the wildlife and seasonal changes with the jet boat.

Trout fishing in the Chattahoochee River below the dam for both rainbow and browns has been fantastic! Most trout are being caught during lower water levels on Swirleybird spinners, small spoons, and smaller crankbaits. Jet boat trips are great for this type of fishing, just call 770-289-1543.