13/05/2023
Capt. Mack's Fishing Report 5/12/23
Things are changing quickly on the lake, and the warmer air temps we are getting will most likely push the fish towards early summer patterns. That is necessarily bad, and I think early summer offers good fishing, and often ignites a great topwater bite! A daybreak start is good regardless of which species you are targeting, so get on the water early! The water has warmed to 72 degrees, and the lake has been falling in recent days. Currently, we are at 1070.37, .63 feet below full pool.
Striper Fishing
There are still many patterns and techniques that will catch a Striper, and versatility remains a key. Pitching, pulling a free line/planer bait spread, casting top waters and Minis, with some down line applications as well, are all productive techniques. With the bait fish spawning on rocks, concrete, and walls, targeting these areas will be a great option. This pattern is very strong at first light, so being on the water at sunup is a big plus. Some of the Stripers may be very shallow for that first hour, so put the baits and lures on the bank. There are several ways to fish these areas, depending on what type of structure and its physical size. If you are on a big area, a long stretch of rip rap or a long seawall for instance, staying mobile with a bait spread can be effective. Be sure and cast to the bank or the wall as you pull the spread.
Something smaller, a well defined point, bridge pillar, or the crest of a shallow hump, you’ll probably find spot locking and pitching baits to the structure is very effective. If you find fish on shallow structure and you have Talons on the boat, try dropping the Talons in really shallow water and casting out live baits all around the boat. This simple technique is very underutilized on Lanier, but is extremely effective. Cast Herring in all depths around the boat, you can use your down rods for this with the same terminal rigging you would use when fishing straight down. Strip off quite a bit of slack so any boat movement does not drag the bait into grass or snags. You’ll catch Spots, Stripers and a few Catfish as well. If the fish are there they will respond quickly, so don’t spend too much time in one place if you are not catching fish.
Humps and points, especially points with a gradual taper, will also be likely areas. Pulling live baits, primarily Herring, but Gizzards are also good baits, on free lines and planers are both effective, and casting will also apply on this pattern. Watch for the fish to be orienting to the edges or the periphery of the high spot, especially in bright conditions. Umbrellas also have application on the humps and points, and you will need to be aggressive with the rigs and try and troll over the very crest of the humps. While you may catch some of the fish that are holding around the hump, the ones that are sitting right on the very top of the big spot are generally quick to bite. Don’t be hesitant to target ups as shallow as 15 feet, just adjust the umbrella depth accordingly
Bass Fishing
Bass fishing is still good, maybe not quite as strong as in the last couple of weeks, but overall very good. The fish are scattered, many are completing the spawn and starting to move into deeper water and offshore structures so factor that into your game plan. Of course there are still some shallow fish, especially early am. Banks with good cover are also still holding good numbers, although many of the fish are a little deeper than past week. Spinnerbaits have been one of the baits of choice here, and don’t forget about the slow rolling technique I have mentioned in previous reports. The flukes will be a great choice for this pattern, and rigging the bait on the weighted Keel Hook will allow a faster retrieve while maintaining depth if needed. Add in a Apex, Keitech and your other favorite plastics on a leadhead/underspin and this pattern should be covered!
Finesse Worms on the Lead heads or on Texas Rigs remain a very good choice, and will have application for any type of structure. Bank beating, Stump Flats, Humps, and points are all likely areas to get the bite. Depth? Well, that’s is still a very big range. I would say 8 to 20 is pretty safe, with some fish on the shallow side of the range early. Some of the favorite worm colors are the Green Shiner and Prizm Kraw patterns.
Marina Seawalls have plenty of fish, find the ones with the Herring and the Bass will be there. I think top water is every ones preference to cast to the walls, but if there is no wind, try something subsurface to get the bite. A weighted Fluke is a great option, as are the swim baits on the lead head.
I’ll give the topwater bite an Ok, best early with some all day application. As we transition into the post spawn, and more and more fish move onto offshore structures, the bite should improve. walking baits, Cast Stick baits, Chug Bugs,and wake baits are some good choices. Magic Swimmers are always a great choice to have tied on as well.
Good Fishing!
Capt. Mack
#
