Lanier 3-1-20

Went out dock shooting today on the north end of the lake. Found fish under quite a few docks, and they were hungry. I caught and released over 30 fish, most of them nice slabs, with several in the 14"-15" range. Water was 52F surface temp, and still quite stained as you can see in the pictures. Lake is still flooded and a lot of ramps are still closed. I was going to put in at Little Hall, but it was taped off, so I went to Duckett Mill instead. I ran up-river and started scanning docks with my SI and Livescope. When I found a dock with fish (didn't take long), I would set up and find a way to get the jig to the fish. All fish were in about 20-25 feet of water, on docks near the main channel. I used Bobby Garland jigs mostly, in Lights Out and Indigo Sky color again, on a 1/32 4x4 screw-lock jig, my favorite shooting jig (I don't waste my valuable hand-ties shooting docks, I break too many off). I did scan some brush I found, but nobody was home.

With a warm rain and a full moon coming, I am expecting the fish to begin moving shallow. We'll see. A lot of rain is forecast and it's going to keep the water high and stained for a while.
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Way to go. Much better then I did today. 2 little dinks....lol.

Looks like you were Triple Cross shooting again, maybe an Acc green shot also? I put the hurt on some Smallies Saturday afternoon with the 7.3 Triple Cross, 2 16in and a 17in were the highlights, the rod held its own and I got to CPR, pics on the TN Board. Good catch!

Yeah, the Triple Cross and the ACC 6'6" dock shooter. I weighed my USDM dock shooting rods, and the ACC was the lightest one, so I use it as back-up for color changes or when I get a wind knot or break off. It shoots good but is not quite as sensitive as the TC. I'll eventually get another JDM dock rod, just not right now. I have way too many rods.

I actually broke an inch off the TC last week shooting too close to something, and whacked it. I didn't know it until I saw the tip guide hanging on my jig. DOH! I was able to cleanly remove the guide from the stub, and re-glued it perfectly on the blank. It is just a lil' bit shorter than it was, about 1.4 inches. I went ahead and ordered another tip section, but this one works just fine. I'll keep it for a spare. Have I mentioned I am hard on gear? I try not to be, but I guess I am a klutz sometimes.

Yayy, another successful trip for you and thanks for the report. I was home doing yard work and finished the last bits on my boat getting it ready to go out. Will be nice to get out and fish soon, been way to long.

That's a great report!! Are most of the docks on Lanier floating docks.

Yes, like most COE lakes, the docks are all floating, and a lot have those rack lifts that make it tough to shoot a jig without getting hung up. I am getting better at it, because I really don't like to troll that much, I find trolling kinda boring. Most Ga Power lakes, like Oconee, allow fixed docks and those are easier to shoot - if the lake level is OK - but if water is high there may not be enough room.

I like the challenge of figuring out a way to get a jig to the fish when I find a loaded dock with my electronics. It can be frustrating when you get hung up, but it is so satisfying when you make a perfect shot, feel the thump, and yank a fatty out from under there.

@jim.b : It has been a while since I fished Oconee, how bad is it flooded? Muddy? I want to come down for a change of scenery, but am waiting for this dang rain to give us a break.

Thanks for the report. I’ve been hooking up shooting docks on Lanier as well. Averaging 30 to 40 in 15 to 25 fow . Good muddy water colors like pop sickle, black/chartreuse,pink etc definitely help. I’ve been doing exceptionally well with the little panfish assassin in chartreuse/silver glitter.
take care
SH

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

Yeah, the Triple Cross and the ACC 6'6" dock shooter. I weighed my USDM dock shooting rods, and the ACC was the lightest one, so I use it as back-up for color changes or when I get a wind knot or break off. It shoots good but is not quite as sensitive as the TC. I'll eventually get another JDM dock rod, just not right now. I have way too many rods.

I actually broke an inch off the TC last week shooting too close to something, and whacked it. I didn't know it until I saw the tip guide hanging on my jig. DOH! I was able to cleanly remove the guide from the stub, and re-glued it perfectly on the blank. It is just a lil' bit shorter than it was, about 1.4 inches. I went ahead and ordered another tip section, but this one works just fine. I'll keep it for a spare. Have I mentioned I am hard on gear? I try not to be, but I guess I am a klutz sometimes.

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