Fishing Reports

Oakwood Bait and Tackle

On Beautiful Lake Lanier

Striper Fishing and Spotted Bass Fishing at it's Best

September 15 - Fishing has been slow but in the last week it has started to pick up. Seems the fish are staying at depths of about 30 feet and have not been showing below 40 feet. Most action has been on Down Lines or Flat Lines. Down Lines have been utilized best down about 25 to 35 feet but when going down more than 40 feet, the bait dies almost immediately. Fish have not been large and top water action seems to be picking up. We are seeing lots of Stripes forcing bait to the surface where the bait becomes easy prey. The south end of the lake has been best but fish have been showing from the Dam to Thompson Bridge.

August 19 - Fishing has been good and remains good. The morning bite has been hot and cold. One day it is great and the next very slow. Fish have been holding in 30 to 50 feet of water over a 60 to 90 foot bottom. Downlining Blueback has been the most productive but do not discount URigs or Lead Core, they have also been effective. It seems the best bite is in the afternoon from about 3:00 to about 7:00 while the Corp is releasing water from Buford Dam. Check the releases at 770-945-1466. The afternoon release has made the Fish very active and have made for a great bite. Some anglers are reporting 20 to 30 fish afternoons. Downlined Bluebacks have been the bait of choice but again do not discount other methods. Fish are coming from most areas below Browns Bridge and are holding at the edges of the main channel or in the creek mouths.

July 31 - The fish are starting to move into deeper water. In the past week they have moved from a 30 foot bottom to a 60 foot bottom. A few fish have been caught in the main channel but that is the exception not the rule. They still are not matching the normal summer pattern. They are not hanging over a 80 to 90 foot bottom but as indicated, they are starting to move in that direction. Downlining Herring has been the best producer but some of the boats are pulling URigs and doing fairly well. Water temperature is around 90 degrees and with this extremely hot weather it will do nothing but get warmer. Be sure to get your bait down quickly so they do not die in the hot surface water.

July 15 - Fishing has been getting better all the time. Most anglers are getting multiple fish and are enjoying a great bite. Fish have been caught primarily in the southern part of the lake, below Browns Bridge. They are holding in 50+ feet of water and are down 25 to 30 feet. The bait of choice has been Blueback Herring and downline's have been the most effective. Fish have also be active close to the surface so don't exclude weighted featliness. Put one or two #4 split shot above your leader and put out about 60 to 75 feet of line and wait for the action. Water temp is in the upper 80's and will continue to get warmer. The Oxygen column is very wide right now so fish are showing throughout the water column. Fish have been caught as deep as 80 feet and as shallow as 10 feet, some even say the top water bite is not bad either. Come on in and see us for the latest fishing reports.

June 9 - Fishing has been good and should stay good! Lots of smaller Stripers throughout the system and occasionally larger fish are landed. Seems the ratio is about 1 to 8 or 10. Conditions have been great and the fish are spread throughout the lake. Fish have been hanging in 30 to 60 feet of water and down 20 to 30 feet. They should start moving into deeper water as the water warms. Current temperature averages about 83 degrees. A little warmer and they will move into the channel and the number of larger fish will increase. Seems Down Rodding Bluebacks has been most productive but don't discount a flat line with an 1/8 ounce split shot. Actually some of the larger fish have been hitting the flat lines but the big numbers are on Down Rods. Fish the deeper clear areas off the points and keep a sharp eye on your electronics. Big schools of fish are not uncommon and bait is starting to show again.

May 12 - Fish are biting all over the lake, from Bald Ridge to Lula. Haven't heard of any big fish but the bite has been very good. Most effective has been large Shad or Bluebacks flat lined. Pull the points early and move into deeper water as the day progresses. Even a down line has got fish from time to time. The fish should start moving into deeper water as the Bluebacks complete their spawn and the water temperature keeps climbing. Water temperature today was 70.2 degrees.

April 27 - OK Folks, the spring bite is on. We are seeing fish from River Forks North in both rivers. In the Hooch, fish are primarily from Gainesville Marina up river, in Sardis, Gainesville Creek, Ada Creek, Little River and up past Clarks Bridge. In the Chestatee anywhere from Taylor Creek up river has been good and it stays good up to and above Toto. The bite has been equally effective with both large Gizzard Shad and Bluebacks but Trout have not been doing as well as they usually do. Fish Flat lines and Plainer Boards and be ready for the action, a lot of larger fish, in the 30 lb range are being caught. If you did not hear, the lake was broken recently and we anticipate it to be broken again before the end of the season. Come in and see us for up to date information and all your fishing needs.

March 22 - Fishing has been getting better and better with each day as weather conditions cooperate. Water Temperature is rising and the Stripers seem to be in the mood to take almost any offering you choose. Due to the Thread Fin Shad kill, Stripers are fat and continue to look for the abundance of food they have had for the past few months. Fishing has been hot and cold. If you put in your time, you will surly will succeed. Stripers have been hitting Trout, Gizzards, Bluebacks, Shiners and Sparo Jigs. They seem to be flicked and at one moment want a small bait and then the next will take a large Trout. Don't be afraid to try anything. Most active areas have been the mouth of creeks to the mid area of the creek with a few fish still coming in the very shallow areas along the bank. Come on in for an up to date report and keep a tight line!!!

Congratulations to Dan Sakini of the Lanier Striper Club pulled in a 42.5 lb Monster Striper in Flat Creek on March 20. He caught the Striper on a fresh Threadfin shad on a #6 hook using 12lb test. That is Ultralighting at its best.

John and Larry

September 24 - Lake Lanier Striper fishing has remained good. Even though we had severe weather, the fish have been cooperating. Fish the areas in the south of the lake over a 100 foot bottom with your bait down around 50 feet. Bluebacks are still the bait of choice. The Trolling bite has not been as productive as should be but that could change at any time. Spots are plentiful in shallower water and at drop offs around the points.

September 10 - Lake Lanier Fishing continues to be very productive. Most productive areas are at the South end of the lake fishing between 50 and 100 feet deep over the river channel. Try the areas around Shady Grove, Shoal Creek, Flowery Branch and Aqua Land. Live, active bait is a must so check you bait often. The Trolling Bite has not been as productive as in years past but we are getting reports that fish are being caught on U-Rigs and Lead Core. Water Temperature today was 80.2 Degrees and the lake has been on a cooling trend. Keep a tight line and a bend in your rod, Good Luck!!

August 10 - Fishing has bee very good but the fish aare not where they should be. At this time of year, they should be DEEP over the main channel but they seem to be holding at about 40 to 50 feet over a 60 to 70 foot bottom. Downlining Bluebacks seems to the the ticket.


	Oakwood Bait and Tackle On Beautiful Lake Lanier Striper Fishing and Spotted Bass Fishing at it's Best Oakwood Bait & Tackle \| About Us \| Photo Gallery \| New Products \| Fishing Reports \| DNR Reports \| DNR 2011 Status Lake Lanier \| Striper Weight Chart \| Location \| Favorite Links \| Contact Us \| Boat Ramp Status \|Oakwood Striper Club September 15 - Fishing has been slow but in the last week it has started to pick up. Seems the fish are staying at depths of about 30 feet and have not been showing below 40 feet. Most action has been on Down Lines or Flat Lines. Down Lines have been utilized best down about 25 to 35 feet but when going down more than 40 feet, the bait dies almost immediately. Fish have not been large and top water action seems to be picking up. We are seeing lots of Stripes forcing bait to the surface where the bait becomes easy prey. The south end of the lake has been best but fish have been showing from the Dam to Thompson Bridge. August 19 - Fishing has been good and remains good. The morning bite has been hot and cold. One day it is great and the next very slow. Fish have been holding in 30 to 50 feet of water over a 60 to 90 foot bottom. Downlining Blueback has been the most productive but do not discount URigs or Lead Core, they have also been effective. It seems the best bite is in the afternoon from about 3:00 to about 7:00 while the Corp is releasing water from Buford Dam. Check the releases at 770-945-1466. The afternoon release has made the Fish very active and have made for a great bite. Some anglers are reporting 20 to 30 fish afternoons. Downlined Bluebacks have been the bait of choice but again do not discount other methods. Fish are coming from most areas below Browns Bridge and are holding at the edges of the main channel or in the creek mouths. July 31 - The fish are starting to move into deeper water. In the past week they have moved from a 30 foot bottom to a 60 foot bottom. A few fish have been caught in the main channel but that is the exception not the rule. They still are not matching the normal summer pattern. They are not hanging over a 80 to 90 foot bottom but as indicated, they are starting to move in that direction. Downlining Herring has been the best producer but some of the boats are pulling URigs and doing fairly well. Water temperature is around 90 degrees and with this extremely hot weather it will do nothing but get warmer. Be sure to get your bait down quickly so they do not die in the hot surface water. July 15 - Fishing has been getting better all the time. Most anglers are getting multiple fish and are enjoying a great bite. Fish have been caught primarily in the southern part of the lake, below Browns Bridge. They are holding in 50+ feet of water and are down 25 to 30 feet. The bait of choice has been Blueback Herring and downline's have been the most effective. Fish have also be active close to the surface so don't exclude weighted featliness. Put one or two #4 split shot above your leader and put out about 60 to 75 feet of line and wait for the action. Water temp is in the upper 80's and will continue to get warmer. The Oxygen column is very wide right now so fish are showing throughout the water column. Fish have been caught as deep as 80 feet and as shallow as 10 feet, some even say the top water bite is not bad either. Come on in and see us for the latest fishing reports. June 9 - Fishing has been good and should stay good! Lots of smaller Stripers throughout the system and occasionally larger fish are landed. Seems the ratio is about 1 to 8 or 10. Conditions have been great and the fish are spread throughout the lake. Fish have been hanging in 30 to 60 feet of water and down 20 to 30 feet. They should start moving into deeper water as the water warms. Current temperature averages about 83 degrees. A little warmer and they will move into the channel and the number of larger fish will increase. Seems Down Rodding Bluebacks has been most productive but don't discount a flat line with an 1/8 ounce split shot. Actually some of the larger fish have been hitting the flat lines but the big numbers are on Down Rods. Fish the deeper clear areas off the points and keep a sharp eye on your electronics. Big schools of fish are not uncommon and bait is starting to show again. May 12 - Fish are biting all over the lake, from Bald Ridge to Lula. Haven't heard of any big fish but the bite has been very good. Most effective has been large Shad or Bluebacks flat lined. Pull the points early and move into deeper water as the day progresses. Even a down line has got fish from time to time. The fish should start moving into deeper water as the Bluebacks complete their spawn and the water temperature keeps climbing. Water temperature today was 70.2 degrees. April 27 - OK Folks, the spring bite is on. We are seeing fish from River Forks North in both rivers. In the Hooch, fish are primarily from Gainesville Marina up river, in Sardis, Gainesville Creek, Ada Creek, Little River and up past Clarks Bridge. In the Chestatee anywhere from Taylor Creek up river has been good and it stays good up to and above Toto. The bite has been equally effective with both large Gizzard Shad and Bluebacks but Trout have not been doing as well as they usually do. Fish Flat lines and Plainer Boards and be ready for the action, a lot of larger fish, in the 30 lb range are being caught. If you did not hear, the lake was broken recently and we anticipate it to be broken again before the end of the season. Come in and see us for up to date information and all your fishing needs. March 22 - Fishing has been getting better and better with each day as weather conditions cooperate. Water Temperature is rising and the Stripers seem to be in the mood to take almost any offering you choose. Due to the Thread Fin Shad kill, Stripers are fat and continue to look for the abundance of food they have had for the past few months. Fishing has been hot and cold. If you put in your time, you will surly will succeed. Stripers have been hitting Trout, Gizzards, Bluebacks, Shiners and Sparo Jigs. They seem to be flicked and at one moment want a small bait and then the next will take a large Trout. Don't be afraid to try anything. Most active areas have been the mouth of creeks to the mid area of the creek with a few fish still coming in the very shallow areas along the bank. Come on in for an up to date report and keep a tight line!!! Congratulations to Dan Sakini of the Lanier Striper Club pulled in a 42.5 lb Monster Striper in Flat Creek on March 20. He caught the Striper on a fresh Threadfin shad on a #6 hook using 12lb test. That is Ultralighting at its best. John and Larry September 24 - Lake Lanier Striper fishing has remained good. Even though we had severe weather, the fish have been cooperating. Fish the areas in the south of the lake over a 100 foot bottom with your bait down around 50 feet. Bluebacks are still the bait of choice. The Trolling bite has not been as productive as should be but that could change at any time. Spots are plentiful in shallower water and at drop offs around the points. September 10 - Lake Lanier Fishing continues to be very productive. Most productive areas are at the South end of the lake fishing between 50 and 100 feet deep over the river channel. Try the areas around Shady Grove, Shoal Creek, Flowery Branch and Aqua Land. Live, active bait is a must so check you bait often. The Trolling Bite has not been as productive as in years past but we are getting reports that fish are being caught on U-Rigs and Lead Core. Water Temperature today was 80.2 Degrees and the lake has been on a cooling trend. Keep a tight line and a bend in your rod, Good Luck!! August 10 - Fishing has bee very good but the fish aare not where they should be. At this time of year, they should be DEEP over the main channel but they seem to be holding at about 40 to 50 feet over a 60 to 70 foot bottom. Downlining Bluebacks seems to the the ticket.