January 2021 Fishing Report
January 2021 Lake Lanier Fishing Report
January striper fishing on Lanier has been marked with consistency this year. The downline has been the biggest producer, by far, and small to medium trout and gizzard shad have been hard to beat most days. Herring have also caught fish, though fewer for myself than normal this time of year. On days when the bite is slow to start or the fish are hesitant to commit to the downline, a weighted free line pitched out the back is often the first hook up. Herring and small trout have been my baits of choice for the pitched lines. I am using 4-5 foot 12 pound fluorocarbon leaders with size 1 hooks for herring and 1/0 to 2/0 hooks for trout and shad.
Locations remain widespread and consistent for the most part, with mid lake and north end waters producing the best numbers and south end creeks holding some bigger fish. The key to everything has been the presence of bait, and lots of it. Often, we are not even looking for fish but rather bait density. It seems as if you mark a school of fish without bait nearby, they are traveling and will not stick around long enough to get baits out. Find the bait, find the feeding fish. 55-80 foot bottoms have been best for me lately. Earlier this month, 35-45 foot depths were the ticket. The cooler the water, the deeper the bait and fish have moved. At this time, the water temperature is 48 degrees in the morning and around 50 in the afternoon. I have rarely started before 10 AM the past 2 months, preferring the afternoon bite. But warmer temperatures are in the weather forecast.
As we move approach and move into February there will be other patterns likely to come into play. If we stay on a warming trend, especially warm rainy days, the surface temperature will rise dramatically and topwater activity will increase along with the free line and planer board bite. Note on the topwater that the fish will still be feeding primarily on threadfin shad so smaller baits may be more effective than large offerings. Mini Macks, 1/4 bucktail jigs, small spoons, or an ice fly under a casting bubble will all work well during a threadfin bite. Often in February, casting a small bucktail jig to the bank will produce very well when the water is stained from warming rains. It can become the most productive pattern in the right conditions. If the weather turns cold in February and water temperatures drop, look for the deep downline bite to continue with a possible preference for smaller baits. Medium shiners have been strong during our colder winters in the past. On cold sunny days, a 3 ounce Capt. Mack umbrella rig can be hard to beat pulled over humps and points topping out around 30-35 feet. Finally, February signals the beginning of the pre spawn for our Lake Lanier stripers, particularly the larger females. Medium and large trout and shad pulled on boards and free lines in the backs of warming creeks are hard to resist as these fish need to put on weight for the spawn. It is a game of patience but the payoff can be huge. We wish you all a great and productive 2021 season, tight lines (and retie them often).
