JImbo's Lake Lanier Guide Service Fishing Report: October 25, 2015

Hey Gang - I hope everyone has had the chance to get out and enjoy the incredible weather and great fishing on Lanier the past couple of weeks. Thanks to my wonderful customers, I have had plenty of opportunity to do just that as I just finished 12 trips over the last 12 days straight - Thank you! Since I am not fishing today, I thought I would at least write about fishing! As of now, the lake sits at 3.66 feet down from full pool and the surface temps are hovering around 69 degrees. The daytime warming brings the temps up over 70 most days, which is unusually warm for this time of year. This has made for some random fish activity as well. You can find fish shallow to deep and in several different types of locations around the lake. There are plenty of options right now! The lake is also experiencing some mixing of the water layers in different sections as is traditional for this time of year. As I have learned from the Lanier Biologist and shared in this forum before, while the lake doesn't officially turn over or "flip" until late December in most years, the mixing of the water layers occurs throughout the fall. The lower lake looks clear in most places right now, with more of a stained look above Browns Bridge. These conditions can certainly affect fish location and activity, so stay alert to the water conditions in the area you are fishing. The brush is still holding fish, but not everywhere. Look for the brush in 20-25 feet of water on humps and points around the mouths of creeks to about 1/3 of the way back. The brush nearest deep water, such as a creek channel, seems to be best. That quick access to deep water makes a big difference this time of the year in most cases. Keep that in mind as you explore different patterns around the lake. You will often find fish shallow this time of the year, but the better fish are always in or near deep water. We have been catching fish over and around the brush on topwater baits such as a Chug Bug and a Zara Spook, as well as on swimbaits, Spro jerkbaits, and a SuperSpin. The lack of wind this past week has made these approaches tougher. Also, a Chattahoochee Jig and their new Cross-Ball Head and Trick Worm combo have been good when the fish won't come up. We have been using a 3/8 oz Chattahoochee Jig in green with a green pumpkin Yamamoto 4" twin tail trailer in green pumpkin/black flake. For the new Chattahoochee Cross Ball, we have opted for the 1/4 oz model tipped with a Zoom Trick Worm in green pumpkin red. Other colors will work, but these have been our goto of late. We have started most mornings working the backs of creeks with the aforementioned Chattahoochee Jigs and Cross Ball Heads. This has been a great numbers pattern as we often catch 10 or more fish on our first stop. There have been some good fish mixed in as well, but we have found this to be a great way to start the day. We have found success shallow on flats as well as steeper rock banks in these locations. Sometimes we can get a crankbait or spinnerbait/buzzbait bite, but it seems more often the jig and worm are often better producers. In the category of random places to catch fish, we have found steeper rock banks and points in the mouths of creeks to be holding fish as well. Again, quick access to deep water is key. The bites often come in the 10-20 foot depth range and the Chattahoochee Jig and Cross-Ball Head have been the best lure options. Also of interest, some of the consistent autumn creek arm channels (ditches) are starting to load up with bait. That means the Classic Fall ditch bite is not far away. SuperSpins, Crankbaits, and Jerkbaits are often the fare of choice for these fish. Look for this bite to get stronger in November as the water continues to cool. Lastly, I would like to introduce a new swimbait to the market, the Swimbaits of the Sweet Bait Company. I have been using these baits over the last several months and found great success. A local company who has been working to perfect their baits before launching them to the market, Sweet Bait offers a hand-made craftsmanship second to none. Each individually created bait is layered with 12 coats of paint, and is tank tested for proper buoyancy/sink rate as well as swim cadence. The baits are offered in 5.5" and 7.5" models and come in a variety of tasty colors. They are currently offered for sale at The Dugout as well as Oakwood Bait and Tackle, but I am sure more stores will follow. I highly recommend you pick one of these Sweet Baits up soon! OPEN DATES: Here are the dates I have open in November: 2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 20, and 21. The only weekend date I have open all month is Saturday, Nov 21st. The rest of them are booked. I will also be taking reservations for the week of Thanksgiving, but I have some travel mixed in over that time, so please call for availability. November is a great month to learn the Classic Lanier Ditch Bite - give me a call and let's get on it! Thanks to all and May God Bless! Jimbo

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Fishing Report: 10/10/2015

Hey Gang - Been a little while since my last post. I wanted to share some information and pics from the great fishing we have been experiencing the last couple of weeks. Fall has arrived and the fish like it! The lake had been dropping steadily over the last month until this past weekend and had reached 4.58 feet below full pool. After the rains, we currently sit a 3.08 down from full pool, and the surface temps are hovering around 72 degrees. We have had some great days out on the pond recently, and we've been throwing the fun stuff to make it happen! Topwater such as a Chug Bug, swimbaits, shallow-running jerkbaits, and a SuperSpin have been our main weapons of late. The fish have populated nicely around brush in 18-25 feet of water located at the mouths of the major creeks. There are still some main lake spots that are hot, but our efforts have mainly been focused in the creek mouths. We have seen alot of schooling fish this week in and around those areas, so be ready when they come up. If you can get in the middle while they are up, a hook up is likely. Set your equipment up to make LONG casts so you can really launch the bait when needed. On cloudy days, the schooling bite seems to be best in the mornings, and on other days, it is subject to be anytime through the day. It seems we always find a 2 hour window through the day when the bite is fast and furious. Lots of run and gun over the brush gets in done. At other times, a more methodical approach that starts on top and progresses down the water column is the best solution. Russell, who is pictured in the lower set of pics, had a particularly good day with me in the rain last week. He was a trooper and stayed with it all day, and he put a hurting on some gorgeous spotted bass. Great job Russell!! Proud of you brother! Make sure to check out my newest Facebook Fan Page "Jimbo's Fishing Seminar and Expo" which highlights all the happenings of the event we have scheduled for January 30, 2016. We already have over 400 Likes on the page, and it's growing every day. Tune in for information on our guest speakers, vendors, and giveaways, as well as special early registration incentives. We have 10 vendors secured, and guest speakers like Fisheries Biologist Patrick O'Rouke along with Highschool Fishing SuperStar Noah Pescitelli who both will provide some great insights on the many different aspects of our beloved sport. We are expecting a monster crowd for this 4th event in the Jimbo Seminar Series. Reserve your seat early and get extra raffle tickets towards winning a GLoomis Rod! As far as open dates, I just had a cancellation for this Wednesday, October 14. I also have October 28th open, and that's it for October. I am also starting to fill my November calendar quickly, so please contact me soon to reserve your date and get in on the Incredible Fall Bite on Lanier! Thanks to all, and May God Bless! Jimbo