CRAPPIE FISHING REPORT JANUARY 27, 2016
This Lake Lanier Crappie report is from Dan Saknini, member of the Lanier Crappie Angler’s Club. See our club’s website,
Water Temperature is 48 degrees in the lower parts of the Chattahoochee and Chestatee.If you go above Laurel Park on the Chattahoochee side or north of Thompson Creek on the Chestatee you will notice that the water is more stained as you get into the “S” turns.Also, the water temperature drops significantly, as much as to 44 degrees and below.Floating debris in these areas, such as large logs, can become hazardous.So, my advice is to head south on the lake.The river channel docks with warmer water temperatures at 46 to 48 degrees will be your best options.The bait is between twenty and thirty feet deep, and the fish are holding on the deeper docks.Our dock shooting technique is producing well.We’ve been catching better quality fish on the Chattahoochee side of the lake, however if you want to catch greater numbers, the Chestatee side of the lake will be your best option.The bite is starting deeper at fifteen to twenty feet, but it is amazing how quickly the entire school will shallow up if they decide to feed, sometimes up to eight feet below the surface.The best advice is to pay attention to your Lowrance, noting the depth the fish are suspended and work the jig directly above their heads.The way the eyes are positioned on the crappies’ heads, they are always looking up.Therefore, if the jig is below them it is difficult for them to see and respond to it.Jiffy jigs in a variety of colors and hair jigs are working well, but the soft body Bobby Garland jigs tend to skip the water easier.This will assist you in getting your jig all the way to the back of the dock.My preference is, however, is still the darker color jigs right now. The fish are holding tight to the structure and it is very critical to keep the jig in their strike zone.With the colder temperatures, their metabolism has slowed and they are not willing to chase your jig.You will also notice that the color of the crappie has turned to pale white, which is an indication they have gone to deeper pockets.The females have begun to develop eggs and you will see their bellies starting to become distended, even though the spawn is still a good distance away.The bait will lead you to the fish, so pay attention to your graph.Threadfins are the bait of choice for crappie.
Stay safe on the water and wear your life jacket!