Lake Lanier Striper Fishing

Place: Lake Sidney Lanier
Time: Middle June, 2005
Reason: Catch some stripers, take pictures, interview the guide, and learn to lie about "the fish was this big!"
Who: Your webmaster and the Shane Watson's Lake Lanier Guide Service .

For those of you that have not yet experienced the pleasure of catching a 20 pound striper, this article is for you...
We drove up to Lanier from North Atlanta the day before our fishing gig. Arriving in mid afternoon, we went directly to Tidwell Park (off Pilgrim Road and I-400) where many of the fishing boats put in. Since we had to be there a 6:00 the next morning, we wanted to be sure we knew how to get there. Next we went on a lakeside drive and took pictures, some of which are on these pages. We dropped by Hammonds Bait and Tackle Shop where we ran into Shane Watson. He gave us a tour of the bait tanks and introduced us to the friendly inhabitants, a very nice group of folks (located at the intersection of Hwy 306 & 369 off Brown's Bridge Road).
Then we checked into the Lake Lanier Lodges (a banner ad holder on my site, of course). They have very nice cabins with hot tubs and all the necessary amenities, including an alarm clock :-) They also rent and store boats. Next we drove over to Flowery Branch to the restaurant at the Starboard Marina. Just as we got there the rain came pouring down...what a light show! Were we going to be fishing in the rain tomorrow? We sure hoped not...

Boating Etiquette Tip #1: Please do not motor too close to a fishing boat, you will scare the fish and make the other folks very mad!
At 5:15 the next morning, we took off to Tidwell Park to meet our fishing guide. On the way we stopped off at Daniel's Grocery (they open about 5:00) and picked up fresh ham and egg biscuits (thank goodness for early risers!). The weather was still so-so but it cleared up as soon as the guide boat arrived. We asked our guide if he guaranteed good weather and lots of big fish...he couldn't make any promises but, lo and behold, the weather cleared up and we caught some great fish! Somebody must have had some pull with the Big Guy :-)
I must tell you that I have done very little fishing in my life. I grew up in South Georgia near the Okefenokee Swamp and did mostly bank fishing from local creeks, using any kind of pole and worms (plus a bobbing cork...yep, just like Tom Sawyer). A few years ago, I went tarpon fishing off the Florida Coast where I caught two tarpon about 80 and 125 pounds respectively, now those were some monster fishes and a beautiful sight to see skipping across the waves, so when I heard about the big stripers in Lake Lanier, I just had to see what I could do about catching some of them. Here I am with a nice striped bass...
The boat we were in was a Carolina Skiff. I found that this boat is made a few miles from where I grew up in South Georgia. Our first stop was at the Three Sisters, a group of four islands, just south of Brown's Bridge. The center well of the boat allows for a lot of movement around the boat.

Boating Etiquette Tip #2: Never enter another boat's fishing space and set out your hooks - not nice!
As soon as we got there, our guide immediately bailed about 6 hooks and set them out around the boat. Then we waited for "Mr. Striper". Within minutes we were pulling in our first stripers. During the next few hours we changed locations a few times.
Our guide really worked hard doing this period. All poles had to be brought in and then baited again at the new location. Plus, while fishing, the trolling motor is constantly in use to keep the boat from drifting too much. While a fish is being caught, the guide keeps the other lines free until the fish can be brought aboard. Note: if the fish is not to be kept, it can only remain out of the water for a minute or so before dying from lack of water. As soon as we could take a picture of it our guide would gently release the fish so another fisherman would have the same pleasure another day. These fish are considered a delicacy.
We used light tackle that bend the way a bass likes it, red line and small red hooks that the bass cannot see well under the water and blue back herring which drives them crazy. A goal in setting lines is to get great coverage around the boat. Our guide also tied on balloons and planner boards. The poles have a drag device that also includes a line counter. Using all this our lines covered what appeared to be at least half a basketball court in area. The balloon is used to set the lines at a distance as well as maintaining water depth. In night fishing, green lights are used to attract the bait which, in turn, attracts you know who...those poor bass just don't have a chance, do they? The planner board rides the waves and keeps the lines at a distance from the boat. Yes, they do fall off and you have to remember to pick them up later..unless you are an experienced fisherman, don't try this by yourself in a small boat, you will be covered up with lines :-(

Boating Etiquette Tip #3: Always be nice to the DNR police when they arrive. They only want to see a life preserver and a fishing license per person. They also keep the peace on the lake, making it a fun and safe experience for all.
The fish & depth finder shown here is used to tell one how deep and what's here...it's also useful to see where the banks are underneath. The bass love to herd the bait onto the banks where they can be eaten.
Perhaps a bit off the story line but here is a little info about the lake...

The "chain of fish life" is a fascinating one that most lake goers rarely think about. Lanier is a very large fresh water lake and that fact alone means that it probably has fewer rules than smaller lakes that are heavily monitored as to fish types, kinds of bait allowed and catch sizes, etc. for example, only a few years ago, blue back herring could not be used as bait. I assume this was to make catching Mr. Striper harder. Now it is legal. What happens when you introduce new bait into a lake is that sometimes the bait grow too large for its original purpose, thereby, making the introduction of a new fish type (hybrid?) to eat the larger bait. See the problem?

The lake is constantly in danger from pollution of it's water as well as the "chain of fish life". Check out The Lake Lanier Association. This organization, located in Flowery Branch, monitors chemical dumpings as best they can but it remains a problem.
All in all, the DNR and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers do a great job on a limited budget. We still catch a lot of fish on Lake Lanier...
Let's not forget to give the fishing guides a plug...
When you consider all the time and equipment required to go striper fishing on Lake Lanier, the guide services are the best way to go. Their rates are very reasonable and they provide the boat, bait and fishing tackle. The guides are courteous and know where the fish are, plus 6 poles are better than one or two...if you have an occasion, business or family, call a guide service today and get on the lake for some great fun!