Jimbo's Lake Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report: 10/9/2011

Hey Everyone -

We have had another good week on Lanier - plenty of topwater and swimbait action.

I was out today with Greg and his son Jett. We had a good day, even with the wind. Greg and Jett were in learning mode, so we ducked back into some pockets to fish. We worked on casting and presentation of a shaky head and various topwater baits. Jett was the star of the day - he is posing above with his dad holding a very solid spot - nice job Jett!

On Friday, I had the pleasure of taking out 91 year-old Bob B. and his grandson Chris. We were out on a full day trip - Bob could really hang in there and still fish very well - you could tell he has done this before a time or two! We had a blast - we caught a good mix of spots and largemouth, and all of our fish came on topwater in or near the wind - most of the fish were in 15 feet of water or less. My instincts were pretty good, and I turned on the video camera just before Chris hooked the largemouth pictured above. I have published the video on my YouTube channel - check it out when you can - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdg78_sW6_A&feature=youtube_gdata. (just copy and paste the link above in your browser)

Overall, the fishing is good on Lanier right now. This past week, we have caught fish on: topwater, swimbaits, jerkbaits, worms, and of course, the FHS. Some fish have came very shallow (1 foot or less) and some have come as deep as 30 feet around brush. The fish have been changing every day - so, start with a clean slate when you get out and just go fish. If you are graphing fish in the upper levels of the water column, throw topwater or the jerkbait. You may have to hit several holes before you find the active fish, but you can pretty much chase an active topwater/swimbait bite all day if you want to run and gun. If you would prefer, you can also catch fish on a shaky head worm. Look for fish in and around brush and bottom locked - that is a good time to slow down and fish the bottom.

I am happy to report that I am booked everyday next week and weekend through Sunday, with the exception of Thursday. So please give me a ring if you would like to get out either on Thursday, or I have a couple of dates open the following week if you prefer. This is really a fun time to fish.

Thank you to everyone who has been out with me and those who continue to come - I am grateful and very blessed.

Best of Luck to everyone out there, and may God Bless!

Jimbo

Jimbo's Lake Lanier Fishing Guide Report - October 1, 2011

Hello Everyone -

We had another very good week on Lanier - lots of topwater and swimbait action this week and some nice fish to be had.

The lake is 8.8 feet down and has a 74 degree surface temp. The fish in the lower lake are schooling well right now at the mouths of creeks as well as on the main lake. We have been focusing on these fish all week and have had some great success.

Most of the fish are on and around off-shore structure as well as rocky points throughout the lower lake. There are also many fish roaming and relating strictly to the bait - you often see these fish busting in the channel or over very deep timber as they focus on the movement of the blue backs. These fish can be caught if you are in the area and can cast to the activity. Fish are also positioning over brush and other cover and can be called up on topwater and swimbaits. We have also had good success on a FHS as well as a jerkbait.

I have included a picture of a couple of toads from the tournament today. We had a good turnout with around 25 boats and really helped a great cause. Tim from Hammond's along with others hauled off an entire van full of toys for the Salvation Army. The cold front hurt our schooling bite for sure, but there were still some good ones to be had on top. Lots of short strikes and pull-offs today for us though, but still a bunch of fun. Thanks to all that participated.

I have Wen and Thur open next week if anyone would like to get out and get in on some of this great fall schooling action.

Thanks, and may God Bless -

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: September 10, 2011

Hey Everyone -

A quick fishing report, and then I will get onto the giveaway. I was out a couple of days this week - my Monday trip postponed due to the weather - too bad because the bite on Monday was awesome with the ultra-low barometric pressure we had as a result of the tropical storm.

Save Monday, the bite has been decent this week. I have continued to focus in the mouths of creeks on rocky areas for my fish. We have caught fish this week on crankbaits, topwater, drop-shot, jigs, spinnerbaits, and jerkbaits. The fish have been suspending up in the water column and have been moving shallower. However, there are still some studs out over the timber in deep water - I was out with Emory D. yesterday afternoon, and he had a MONSTER Spot hung and to the boat over 75 feet of water - my net was locked in my rod box, which didn't prove helpful! A great marketing opportunity missed! Sorry Emory - next time my friend!

Now, onto the important stuff. As we remember 9/11 this weekend and salute all of those affected by this tragic event, I would like to specifically honor our service men and women (active duty or retired) as well as our police officers, firemen and women, and all other positions who by doing their jobs sacrificed their lives that day 10 years ago - as well as those in all the days since that have continued to put their lives on the line daily for our freedom and well being.

Hence, I am doing a drawing for a Free Full Day Trip for 1 or 2 people to honor our country and those who serve it. The entrants for this drawing must fall in one of these categories: military (active duty or retired), firefighter, police officer, paramedic, or associated service position. You may enter yourself, or you may nominate someone that you know. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE "CONTACT US" FORM ON THE BOTTOM OF MY HOME PAGE ON MY WEBSITE. Fill in your first and last name, email address, and in the "Your Message" portion, write the name of the person you are nominating along with their contact info. If you are entering for yourself, just write "Self" in the "Your Message" section.

Deadline for entry is 7 PM on Wednesday, September 14, 2011. I will do a drawing afterwards and announce the winner on this blog as well as my Facebook page and Twitter page. If you don't already, you can follow me at Jimbo On Lanier for both Twitter and Facebook to get updates.

Finally, a BIG "Thank You" to all my sponsors that support me and allow me to fish for a living: JJ's Magic, Hammond's Fishing, Denali Rods, Sworming Hornet Lures, LanierMAPPED.com, and Slong's Fishing Lures.

May God Bless,

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: September 4, 2011

Hello Everyone -

I hope all of you are enjoying a relaxing and safe Labor Day Weekend!

I was out on trips most of the week this past week. There is definitely a change happening and it has been fun to follow - I will address that a little later in this post.

Most of my trips this week were "teaching" trips. Many folks wanted to learn the drop shot presentation and get the feel of catching fish so they could gain confidence in the technique. I enjoy these trips a great deal and love to watch people grow in their skill over a few short hours on the boat. There are plenty of smaller fish to be caught in the 20-30 ft. brush right now, with a few solid fish mixed in - no monsters though. These fish offer the perfect opportunity to learn the drop shot - they will bite!

I actually had the pleasure of taking one gentleman that fishes Hartwell rather than Lanier, but he wanted to learn techniques on Lanier that he could apply to fishing Hartwell. I was honored to work with him - we spent most of our day talking and teaching rather than fishing - I enjoy those days too.

With all that said, there are some big ones available right now. Some of these big fish are shallow, and some are out over deeper water. On my trip Friday, we lost 2 big fish first thing in the morning- one jumped and spit it at the boat, and one broke off during the fight on a strong surge - just bad luck. These fish were shallow over deep water.

During the afternoon, we found fish shallow on rocky points near deep water. I busted off a huge bass in 3 feet of water on topwater - couldn't believe it. I guess it is time to re-spool some rods, although that one was on fresh line - maybe time to move up in line size - LOL!

There is alot of bait making a move back into the creeks right now - keep an eye on this as September progresses and the water cools with the upcoming weather. I am sure the lake will recover some water level, but my understanding is the corp is planning to continue the draw down through the fall through consistent water release. BTW, I have noticed a substantial improvement in the bite when they are pulling water - no surprise really, but it is something to keep in mind.

Through the past week, we have caught fish on: drop shot, topwater, jerkbaits, carolina rigs, spoons, crank baits, and jigs. I am sure other things will work too, but these have been my focus areas.

I have a full day trip on Monday, but have some dates open later in the week if you would like to get out - just give me a call or shoot me an email.

May God Bless -

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: August 21, 2011

Hello Friends and Sponsors -

Even through the hot weather, the fish are still biting on Lanier - not just smaller fish - good SOLID fish are eating in the right places.

I have been throwing a Fish Head Spin and Drop Shot worm for the majority of my fish. Topwater has produced some each day as well, but not the quantity of the drop shot nor the quality of the FHS.

I have been drop-shotting a variety of hand-poured worms and minnow imitations to get bit. Wackem Plastics, Roboworms, as well as the Jackal Cross-Tail Shad and Flash-Trix minnow imitations have worked at one time or another. Colors include: morning dawn, prizm shad, sunrise orange pearl and baby bass.

The FHS has produced some big fish this past week. I have been working the bait to include a pause, thus allowing the bait to drop, which seems to trigger the strikes in most cases.

As far as locations, I have been hitting humps in both main lake and creek areas, as well as ledges and points with steeper breaks near deep water. I have found most of my best fish in 35-40 feet of water. I am also targeting standing timber with tree tops that come to 25-35 feet. These areas seem to hold fish through the day, but some days better than others.

Sportsman's Feast - Come join me, Rick Steckelberg, and the legendary Hank Parker at Blackshear Baptist Church this Thursday evening, August 25th. Admission is $10 and includes dinner. Rick and I, along with others, will be giving seminars and there will be several booths to peruse as well. They are giving away some great hunting and fishing packages, to include a trip with yours truly! Come join us for a fun night at Blackshear Baptist Church! Check out the details HERE.

I have Monday and Friday open this week, and I am still running my "Beat the Heat" specials through August. 3.5 hours in the AM or PM for a reduced rate. I also have my normal full and half day trips available as well. Call me TODAY to book a trip! 770-542-7764.

Thanks to all, and may God Bless -

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: August 16, 2011

Hey Gang -

I was out today on a full day trip with Butch, and yesterday with Brian. The weather today was incredible - just awesome to have some cooler temps.

The fishing today and yesterday was awesome. I am pleased to report that I have figured out a good big-fish pattern for August - I have been putting it together for a bit, and thought I had lost a big spot in an area down lake the other day, but couldn't confirm it because it I busted off - could have been a striper, but I didn't think so. Based on the last 2 days, I am pretty confident in the pattern.

Running this pattern the last 2 days my clients and I have caught several solid fish and some good ones. I had one today close to 5 (4-14 on the digitals) and lost a 4 at the boat in the same area. In addition, fish like the one Butch has above are available, as well as an occasional 24 pound striper! (23-6 on the digitals - nice catch Brian!).

I am fishing in 25-30 feet of water, but doing something a bit different. We have been throwing the drop shot, a jig, and a FHS. I have been doing only artificial trips of late - no spot-tail cheating!

My August special is still running - 3.5 hour trips in the AM and PM to "Beat the Heat" at a reduced rate. Of course the standard half and full day trips are available as well. I have Thurs and Sat open this week if anyone is interested in getting out.

Thanks to all, and may God Bless!

Jimbo

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: August 8, 2011

Hey Everyone -

It is certainly August - hot and hotter! The fishing has been up and down over the last week - some good days for numbers and some days for size, and some days not so good for either - LOL!

I was out with Doug H today for our second trip of the summer. Doug is a great guy and recently purchased a brand new Ranger Comanche 520. He is a good angler, just looking to learn Lanier and our spotted bass as he hails from Florida - not quite the same type of fishing - LOL!

We worked on the drop-shot and the fish head spin today. We caught several fish on both, as well as topwater. Most of our fish came from 25 - 35 feet of water on or near brush located close to sharp drops and ledges. We fished down south today, but there has been a solid bite up north as well. I will be out and up North tomorrow in preparation for trips the rest of the week. I am grateful to be busy in August - thanks to all who have put your trust in me.

Good Luck out there to everyone - I am booked the rest of this week, except Saturday, and I have some days open the next week if you would like to get out and learn how to overcome the dog days of August and catch fish!

May God Bless -

Jimbo