Jimbo's Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report - July 22, 2011

I had the pleasure of once again taking out Mr. Gene J and his son-in-law Keith today. It was a bit toasty out on the pond, but we still managed some good fish and had a good time together as usual.

The bite was tough in the morning - not much schooling activity where we were and not a very aggressive bite at all. We moved around quite a bit with only a few offers on a drop shot and one decent largemouth on topwater. We mainly stayed on structure, looking deep and shallow for the best concentration of fish. We did see some very shallow activity in the AM, but still I found a good number of quality fish in the 18-25 foot range.

We decided to get a few spot-tails to see if it might help our efforts. Thanks to Phil J for a quick shout out on a new spot tail area - worked great! We labored the afternoon heat and caught several with the spot-tails - only a few areas really seemed to be holding the active fish, and we worked those thoroughly for our bites.

Thanks again to Gene and Keith - looking forward to the next time!

May God Bless -

Jimbo

Jimbo's Lanier Fishing Report: July 19, 2011

Hey Everyone -

I had the pleasure of taking my two youngest daughters out fishing today - man it got hot, but we had a blast! They had been bugging me alot to take them, especially after seeing the pictures of all the big fish we have been catching lately. So, when I had an off day, I finally made it happen.

My youngest daughter, Olivia, got the hang of things quickly and popped the fish above - a solid 4 pounder - not bad catching a 4 lbs spot at 8 years old. I had to help her lift the rod tip a little when the fish made some runs, but she caught it all on her own. I was a proud papa!

I let the girls fish with spot-tails, and I threw some topwater around through the day and called a couple up, but not big ones. We did see some huge spots breaking over and near the structure, but I was just never in a position to get a quick cast at them.

I still have Thur and Sat open if anyone is interested in catching some fish - hot or not, the fish are still biting!

Thanks, and may God Bless -

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: July 16, 2011

Hi Everyone!

I was off the water most of this week as I took a much needed vacation with the family to Myrtle Beach, SC. The kids loved it and we had a great time together.

I did have a trip on Friday of this week and had the honor of taking out one of my best clients, Johnny P. Johnny goes with me once a month or so and we always have fun and I really enjoy his company - he has great stories!

The weather was very odd for July on Lake Lanier - cool, drizzling, and very windy. None of that makes sense here in GA for July!! Johnny and I found good topwater action for most of the day. We worked chug bugs around the breaks of long running rocky points near the mouths of creeks for most of our bites. We also ducked back into a few of the larger creeks for some fish as well. The normal structure/brush had fish around it too, but they didn't seem as active as the rock fish. I had some action on the drop-shot too, but the topwater action was better, so we abandoned thoroughly fishing the spots and just went running and gunning. One of Johnny's best fish is pictured here, and I should have one too, but I "rookied" a toad first thing in the AM on the chug bug - I must have been rusty from all the salt water this week!

I have a couple of days open next week if you would like to get out - just give me a ring or drop me a line.

Thanks, and may God Bless!

Jimbo

Jimbo's Fishing Report 07/08/11

Water Temperature: 85
Water Clarity: 2-3 feet

Hey Everyone -

I was out on trips all week - lots of great fishing despite the rising water temps over the past few days.

I did both artificial and spot-tail trips this week, with the artificials producing the best fish by far. We worked topwater, drop-shot worms, and texas-rigged worms for our best fish. The topwater activity seemed to get better as the day progressed. We found that you could launch a bait at the blow-ups, even after several seconds, and still get them to hit after working the lure all the way back to the boat. The fish seemed to be staying up in the water column after a round of herding bait, and would hit the topwater's when presented. This has not been the case lately, as the fish seemed to come up and go back down quickly.

As far as the spot-tails, now is a great time to get the kids out and fish. The spot-tails work well, especially in the afternoon when the sun is out. It is also a great way to get the feel of a properly fishing a drop-shot - the bite is very similar to what you would experience with a worm or a minnow imitation on a drop-shot rig.

If you are looking to learn the drop shot technique with artificial baits, now is definitely the time. The bite is good most days, and they are definitely eating the drop-shot. I have worked with several clients on mastering the read of your sonar in conjunction with proper presentation. Come on out with me and learn! I have another trip tomorrow, but have some days open at the end of next week.

Thanks to all, and may God Bless -

Jimbo

Jimbo On Lanier - Jimbo's Spotted Bass Guide Service
Call: 770-542-7764
Website: www.jimboonlanier.com

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: June 2011

Hello Everyone -

Sorry for the long delay in posting a fishing report. I have posted a few reports on the Bass Fishing Home Page, but have not been as active as usual with my posting. I took some time off in late May to attend the Indy 500, which was followed by my mother's passing. Thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers - they are greatly appreciated. The good news is I see no more distractions in the near future, so onto fishing!

The topwater action and swimbait action remains good, in the early mornings particularly, especially after the rains have came through that have cooled the water temps slightly and increased the oxygen levels near the surface. For topwater, I have been using either a small popper or the smaller sized gunfish in bone color. When the sun is out, I prefer the chrome offerings. As far as swimbaits, take note of the bait fish being chased. If you see them coming out of the water, the chances are the bass are chasing the bluebacks. I have found at times, however, that the fish are focused on smaller baitfish. My advice is to match the hatch - pay attention and vary your baits and presentations. Some of the things I have been using include: Farley Swimbaits, flukes, Spro Swimbaits (to include the BBZ1 Shad), and the S-Waver. A fish-head spin will also work well. Work the upper region of the water column, or count down the bait to the depth the fish are holding if you find they are not coming up. If you graph bait up in the water column, the fish will likely be looking up. On cloudy days, I have also found a jig/twin tail combo to work, and of course, the standard Slongs Shaky Head tipped with your favorite Wackem Crazy Bait offering, dipped in clear or chartreuse JJ's Magic.

As far as locations, I have been focusing on off-shore structure such as long-running points and humps, along with ledges. Focus on the structures that also have good cover on them, such as brush. In low-light or cloudy conditions, the fish are generally roaming in these areas and not locked on the brush. When the sun is out, the fish tend to relate more directly to the brush piles. Focus on those and present your baits directly over the top of them or in them to get bit.

SPOT TAIL MINNOWS - I am now also doing spot tail minnow trips. This is simply a blast in terms of numbers of fish, and certainly you are apt to catch some big ones too. This is a PERFECT option for less-experienced anglers and particularly children - it is a quick and easy technique to master. If you have not done this before, I encourage you to book a spot-tail trip with me - you will not be disappointed!!

Make sure to check out my fishing reports on the Bass Fishing Home Page (WMI.org). I post there at least twice weekly, so check it out! Also, I have a video out - if you have not seen it, click here to view. Enjoy!

I still have dates open in June -call me TODAY at 770-542-7764 to book your trip!! I have Wednesday and Thursday open this week!!

Until next time everybody - tight lines and God Bless -

Jimbo

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Fishing Report: April 29 - May 8, 2011

Hey Everyone -

I have been out on trips almost every day for the last 10 days, plus I fished the Gut Check tournament with Nick Hensley from Hammonds this past Saturday, and then back out on a half-day morning trip on Sunday (yesterday).

We have had some outstanding days for numbers as many trips had over 30 total spots for the day. I have been focusing on sandy pockets with a worm for the numbers fish. These pockets can be main lake, or in the mouths of creeks, but a sandy beach is the key. This pattern will provide lots of keepers up to 2.5 lbs, and a few good ones mixed in. I have been using a 4 inch worm on a 1/8 oz jighead for the most bites.

In addition to the sand bite, I have been playing with the early post-spawners willing to eat topwater and flukes. Some are relating to brush, most are roaming and just relating to the bait in key areas that have deeper water very close, and are not far from spawning flats. Some of these fish are roaming in very deep water, but are not too far from the bank.

For the tournament on Saturday, we focused on the post spawn bite as opposed to the sand bite - not as many bites, but big fish potential. Nick and I only weighed 13 pounds, but lost some donkeys early on top. Nick lost one of the biggest spots I have ever seen hammer a topwater plug - this spot was way over six - and after a long battle, she just simply pulled off. A little later in the AM,I had two well over 5 rolling and nipping at my fluke, but they just would not commit. I am seeing some wolf packs as well with the fish that are relating to the brush - I was about to cast at one around 4 following a 3 pounder Nick had hooked on top, but as I went to cast I heard "he's barely hooked" so I dropped the rod and went for the net - a bird in hand better than 2 in the bush I guess.

All in all, a very fun day and we had our chances to win it, just wasn't to be. We caught the fish we weighed on topwater poppers, flukes, crankbaits, and fish head spins.

Back out Sunday morning with a regular customer and his wife, and I and had one over 5 plaster my rico, and got it caught in the rocks (and broke off) trying to hand it off to my client's wife so she could battle a big spot. Always looking for a way to let them have fun! They both still caught em Sunday AM as it seemed they were eating as well as they were on tournament day.

Make sure to check out my fishing reports on the Bass Fishing Home Page (WMI.org). I post there at least twice weekly, so check it out! Also, I have a new video out - if you have not seen it, click here to view. Enjoy!

I am filling up for May, but I have some dates open the next few weeks-call me TODAY at 770-542-7764 to book your trip!! I have Wednesday and Friday open this week, and maybe Saturday, so let me know if you would like to get out.

Until next time everybody - tight lines and God Bless -

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: April 10 - 28, 2011

Hello Again Everyone -

I have had trips almost every day over the past 20 days or so, save Easter and Good Friday. I have had the pleasure of taking out some really fun people during that time, and the fish have been cooperating as well. Thank you to everyone for your support of my guide business. I truly love what I do and I feel very Blessed and honored to have your business - THANK YOU!!

Now, onto fishing. We have been averaging about 25 fish a day on each trip, and two days we landed over 40 - no joke. The first day was last week - we were up north, and the fish size was modest at best - our biggest was about 3.5 lbs, and about 25 of the 42 were keepers. Tuesday of this week was also a 40+ day as we boated 44 spots. The size recently has been much better down south as most of the 40 were keepers, and our best 5 were just shy of 19 lbs.

As far as baits, you name it, and we have caught fish on it. A brief summary would include: swimbaits, flukes, Fish Head Spins, Lil Dudes, worms, jigs, spinnerbaits, topwaters, carolina rigs, jerkbaits, and I am sure I am forgetting something. Mix it up and see what is working - the fish change their preferences every day!

The water on the north end is now above 70 at daylight. The south end is about 67 or so depending on where you put in. Numbers have been better up North until recently, but the South end is catching up quickly. It seems the North end is about 10 days to 2 weeks ahead of the South end.

As far as location, we have been hitting steeper banks coming out of creeks, islands, rock points, and main lake pockets for our fish. The depth the fish are holding changes everyday, but the range has been from 3 - 15 feet.

Make sure to check out my fishing reports on the Bass Fishing Home Page (WMI.org). I post there at least twice weekly, so check it out! Also, I have a new video out - if you have not seen it, click here to view. Enjoy!

I am filling up for May, but I have some dates open the next few weeks-call me TODAY at 770-542-7764 to book your trip!!

Until next time everybody - tight lines and God Bless -

Jimbo