by Ryan Coleman
Lanier is about around 5 feet below full pool. The surface temps are in the mid to upper 70’s, and as you might expect, the backs of the creeks are stained to muddy.
Fish are pretty much right where you think they should be this time of year. There are some fish that have moved up shallow on steep rock banks and some that are out in deep timber. The water is close to turning over now, and we should start to see some of that by late September. Once the turnover starts to set in, look for the fish to really scatter out and be unpredictable from day to day.
I am working mostly deep right now. It is more consistent for me. I am finding some big spots out in the scattered timber in 35-45 feet of water. I am not finding big schools of fish, but there are a few in each area. The schools of medium to smaller fish are up shallower. Look in 15-25 feet of water around brush and rock for these schools. They will eat a topwater at times, straight worms rigged on a 3/16 ounce jighead and worked on the flats. A small plastic swimbait rigged on that same jighead will also produce some nice fish when worked over the brush.
For the deep fish, I am working a 3/8 ounce Green Craw or PBJ Casting Jig and a heavy weighted drop shot around the sparse timber. For the dropshot, I am putting a 6″ Spotsticker hand pour in Cinnamon Purple or Hot Tomato colors. These fish are not easy to catch, but they are better once you spend the time on them.
As early October rolls in, look for the spinnerbait bite on the windy points to really pick up. This will be your best bet for big shallow fish. On windy days, use a 1 ounce double and single willow Mini-me with a painted white or nickel blade. Any of the shad colors should work in the fall. Make sure to put a trailer hook on the spinnerbait and keep it moving. No slow-rolling here.
Good luck out there!