Recommendations for a guide on Lake Lanier?

[Dan B.]

Any suggestions for a guide on Lake Lanier that targets spots? I'm probably heading down there in early March. Thanks for any suggestions.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

Does it have to be Lanier?

 

Arguably one the greatest Spotted Bass fisherman in the world is close by, Mike Bucca.    I've been wanting to fish with him for a few months, he's on my list for sure.   He's who I'd go Spotted Bass fishing if I was in GA and wanted to find a guide.  

 

Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides - Triton Mike Bass Fishing - Atlanta, Georgia Fishing Guides

[Chris at Tech]

 

On 1/13/2023 at 11:42 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said:

Does it have to be Lanier?

 

Arguably one the greatest Spotted Bass fisherman in the world is close by, Mike Bucca.    I've been wanting to fish with him for a few months, he's on my list for sure.   He's who I'd go Spotted Bass fishing if I was in GA and wanted to find a guide.  

 

Lake Allatoona Fishing Guides - Triton Mike Bass Fishing - Atlanta, Georgia Fishing Guides

I fished with Bucca a few times years back, but I think he focuses on his swimbait biz now.  Not to mention Allatoona is known as the “Dead Sea” for a reason.
 

The answer to your question is Jimbo on Lanier.  Period.  Fished with him a dozen-ish times now.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

19 minutes ago, Chris at Tech said:

 

I fished with Bucca a few times years back, but I think he focuses on his swimbait biz now.  Not to mention Allatoona is known as the “Dead Sea” for a reason.
 

The answer to your question is Jimbo on Lanier.  Period.  Fished with him a dozen-ish times now.

I'll yield to your expertise and location, but I still would love to fish with one of the best big swimbait and Spotted Bass fisherman in the country.    

[Alex from GA]

  Jimbo is one of the top Alabama bass guides on Lanier.  BTW there are no spotted bass on Lanier they are all Alabama bass.  I don't know if Ryan Coleman is still guiding but before starting Spots Sticker Baits he was the top bass guide on the lake.

[Chris at Tech]

On 1/20/2023 at 11:31 PM, Alex from GA said:

  Jimbo is one of the top Alabama bass guides on Lanier.  BTW there are no spotted bass on Lanier they are all Alabama bass.  I don't know if Ryan Coleman is still guiding but before starting Spots Sticker Baits he was the top bass guide on the lake.

Coleman moved to FL

[Alex from GA]

 I haven't seen his name in a few years.  Thanks for the information.

[Dan B.]

Thanks all. I booked a trip with Jimbo.

[Koz]

Speaking of Lanier, does anyone have some secret GPS coordinates that they want to share? ?

 

I have a tournament there in two weeks. For this time of year I'm thinking the best spots (pun intended) or going to be rocky channels and deeper water. I'm thinking lots of drop shotting and shaky heads will be the ticket, which will test my patience level. I've also got a handful of blueback herring crankbaits and swimbaits to match the hatch.

[bigbassin']

7 hours ago, Koz said:

Speaking of Lanier, does anyone have some secret GPS coordinates that they want to share? ?

 

I have a tournament there in two weeks. For this time of year I'm thinking the best spots (pun intended) or going to be rocky channels and deeper water. I'm thinking lots of drop shotting and shaky heads will be the ticket, which will test my patience level. I've also got a handful of blueback herring crankbaits and swimbaits to match the hatch.

Limited time fishing it, but points ending at a creek channel produced my bigger spots. Spinner bait accounted for all of my point fish.

 

For lots of smaller fish, just fishing the random shoals that are marked out with PVC stakes was actually super productive. Green ribbon tail worm with a 1/4 ounce weight. Didn’t catch any giants doing this, but caught plenty of spots around 12” (assuming 12” minimum for your tournament).

 

The shoal pattern for small fish has been productive for me pretty much across the country, regardless of species or time of year.

 

May not be a bad strategy to find a shoal stacked with spots, catch a quick limit, then spend the rest of the day looking for bigger fish.

[Alex from GA]

The minimum size is 14" for black bass on Lanier.

[bigbassin']

21 minutes ago, Alex from GA said:

The minimum size is 14" for black bass on Lanier.

Do they do tournament exemptions in GA? I believe Florida has made 12” the official minimum, but when it was 14” every tournament I ever fished had an exemption to allow 12”.

[Chris at Tech]

On 2/7/2023 at 11:26 PM, Koz said:

Speaking of Lanier, does anyone have some secret GPS coordinates that they want to share? ?

 

I have a tournament there in two weeks. For this time of year I'm thinking the best spots (pun intended) or going to be rocky channels and deeper water. I'm thinking lots of drop shotting and shaky heads will be the ticket, which will test my patience level. I've also got a handful of blueback herring crankbaits and swimbaits to match the hatch.

Go to to Jimbo on Lanier’s website.  He makes detailed reports that he sells.  

[Alex from GA]

Most of the fish I'm not catching seem to be offshore and it's hard to catch up with them.

[quanjig]

Jimbo (Bubba to me) used to fish the Occoquan reservoir with us! He is top notch one of the best people I’ve ever had the privilege to call a friend!! Tell him little Jon says hey!