Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Spotted Bass Guide Service Fishing Report: 4/15/2015

Hey Gang - Well, I got a "snow day" today with all the rain this morning. My customer hit the "abort" button just before we launched, and I can't say that I blame him. Apparently, we have entered the monsoon season here in Georgia. We decided to depart from the ramp and forge ahead on the matters at hand - he went to build an Ark, and I went to gather animals two by two....LOL. Even with the rain, however, the bite has been steadily improving and there are lots of techniques working right now. If you like to bed fish, there are LM bedding all over the lake right now and have been for a couple of weeks or more. There are some spots bedding now as well, but I look for a greater progression to the beds over the next couple of weeks. It's hard to beat a 1/8 oz Davis Shaky Head for numbers right now. Focus on points or docks on or near rocky areas that have a spawning flat somewhere adjacent. Steeper areas seems to be better, but the flatter stuff is starting to work as well. We have been fishing this rig on a GLoomis NRX 822 Shaky Head Rod. It is super-sensitive and really lets you feel those light bites. A weightless fluke around the fresh pine blow downs (from the ice storm) has been good for some fun too. When the wind is up, a 1/2 oz Davis Spinnerbait with white blades has been a good offering, as well as a Spro Little John MD in the Cell Mate color. Focus on those same rocky points mentioned above. A jerkbait or a swimbait over the brush has been spitting up some donkeys lately, as evidenced above with Craig proudly 'splaying Spotzilla (2nd from right) - she weighed 6 flat on the digitals - heckofa fish Craig! I believe she was a round as she was long... Another quick reminder about the upcoming GLoomis Owner's Tournament on June 6th out of Little Hall. Make $300 worth of qualifying purchases in the GLoomis/Shimano line at fine local tackle stores like Hammond's Fishing or the Dugout, and you are in! Visit the stores for details! I was tinkering with the idea of holding another seminar in May, but honestly I am too busy running trips to create and deliver a quality product to everyone, so I have decided to wait until August for my next round of seminars. I will have the dates confirmed and be ready to take sign ups shortly. The August seminars will focus on Fall and Early Winter fishing on Lanier. As before, we will have a range of topics to cover in that arena. Techniques, locations, Lowrance Screen Shots, proper rod and reel set ups, and much more will be covered. I am looking forward to seeing everyone again for a great learning experience and some fun fellowship! I will announce the dates and location soon. In April, I only have the 23rd open, as well as the afternoon of the 29th. Here is what I have for May right now: 6, 7, 11, 12, 16, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28 and 30. Lot's of fun bites to come during that time including topwater! Give me a ring and let's go get 'em! Thanks to all, and May God Bless! Jimbo

Monday, April 6, 2015

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Spotted Bass Fishing Guide Service Report: 4/6/2015

Hey Gang - It has been a busy few weeks for me. I just wrapped up my second 5-boat corporate trip of the week today, and we had a blast! I have been blessed to work with some really great people and today was no exception! I'm not sure if its a good thing, but I was on the water every day in March. Every day. I had a couple of days off....and fished anyway. LOL. I just can't seem to get enough. Its just too much fun. A huge thanks to everyone for keeping me so busy. I love it and please keep it coming! The fishing has improved a bunch in the last few days. The warm sunny days we had before today really made for a great bite out there. Above Browns Bridge has been more consistent, but the south end has had its days and is improving steadily. We have been focusing on pockets of late. There are large schools of blue backs hanging in the backs of several pockets, and some big fish are there chasing them. The bait and the fish have both been very shallow. often in 5 feet of water or less. Docks in those same areas have been productive as well, much more so when the sun is high. The fresh pine blow downs from the ice storm in these pockets are also holding fish on many days. We have caught a few fish on the points, but they just don't seem to be holding the quantity or quality of the fish the pockets have yielded consistently in recent days. As far as bait choices, in the mornings, a McStick, a War Eagle spinnerbait, and fluke have been best. As the day progresses, pretty much the same baits have been effective, particualarly on the fish chasing bait in the backs of the pockets. The fluke bite around the docks, when the sun is up, is really starting to improve as well. The Davis Shaky Head HBT Series with a trick worm or senko has been a good bet around the docks and the blow downs as well. Of course, the weightless senko is always a good bet around the docks throughout the spring. There were several fish starting to bed before the cold front hit, and I look for a good wave to go on bed with the upcoming full moon, particularly the largemouth. I look for the south end to get consistently good over the next few days, and look for some more big sacks, like the one Scotty and I are sporting above, to show up. Don't forget about the upcoming G-Loomis/Shimano Owners tournament coming to Little Hall on June 6th. $300 in qualifying purchases and you're in! See the folks at Hammond's or the Dugout for details. For April, I only have the 22, 23, and the afternoon of the 29th open. Other than a day off on Easter, I am booked solid. My May is starting to fill up quickly as well, so please let me know as soon as you have a date in mind. Thanks to all, and May God Bless - Jimbo