Submitted by RyanC/LanierSpots

Date Fished: 7/5/2012

Water Temperature: 85
Water Clarity: Not reported

The lake is down to 1063.7 now which is 7.2 feet below full pool. Looks like we are on the way down now. The level has held around 5.5-6 for a while but look for it to drop about 6 inches per week now that we are on the fall. Some rain would be nice as it has been pretty dry the past few weeks here in the Big Creek area.

The surface temps have blown up as well with the 5 days of 100+ deg temps last week. We have some good cool weather on the way so hopefully, it will remain where it is or even drop a little over the next week. I have been getting anywhere from 85-88 on the lower end the past week

Fishing has remained good over the past week or so. No a lot of different things to report over what I have been reporting. The fish have made their way out on the brush and the thermocline has started to set up. There is still a very good bite out there but look for it to change over the next few weeks. It always does.

We are still getting some nice fish up on top water everyday as well as a few on a fish head spin or small swimbait. My most consistent bite has been the drop shot and as July rolls on through, look for this to be the most stable bite for big spots on the lower end. This year is dead on track for the topwater bite to die out at the end of July and the drop shot bite to be the main pattern. This has held up for the past 15 years. I don't see it changing this year.

I have been working big topwater baits like a spook or Vixen out over the brush on humps and points as well as the fish head spin. There are some big schools of fish out there and if you draw them up, you will surely get one or even two of them. Not every place has them and newer brush has been holding more fish.

My best bite the past two days has been the drop shot. I have been working Watermelon Pearl, Cinn Pepper and Melon Murder SpotSticker hand pours over and around the 27 foot deep man made brush. This has been very effective as you may expect this time of year.

Look for things to hold steady for a week or so then start to turn to the drop shot by the end of the month.

As you may expect, the spot tail minnow bite is out of control as I did have one spot tail trip last week. Fishing was excellent for Will Fuston who once again put a pretty good licking on the big lanier spotted bass. Great job Will....

I just have a few days left this month. July 16,23 and 24 are my only available days till mid August..

Good luck to everyone out there.

Ryan

Boats/Motors
Boat Ramp Stories
Trailers & Towing
Boats For Sale
Tournament Tactics
Striped Bass