Lake level: 1066.48 (4.52 feet below full pool)
Water temps: 86–88 degrees
Water clarity: Clear on the main lake
Water temperatures have reached their normal summer range, and the lake is definitely setting up a thermocline. Most of the stripers have pushed down the lake and are in their normal summertime haunts. In early August, there will still be some fish in main-lake pockets first thing in the morning, but most of the fish will be holding much deeper on the creek and river channels.
How the Pattern Will Change This Month
Early in August, you may still find some fish in main-lake pockets in 50–70 feet of water first thing in the morning. As the month progresses, most of our stripers will settle into their normal summer pattern on creek or river channels in 90–120 feet of water. The power-reeling bite will also get better and better this month.
Where Fish Will Set Up
Focus on:
- South-end creek channels such as Big, Shoal, Two, Four, Six Mile, and Bald Ridge
- Creek and river channels in 90–120 feet of water
- Main-lake pockets in 50–70 feet of water first thing in the morning
- Fish holding 30–35 feet above the treetops
- Schools on slick bottoms with no trees, where fish may be 40 feet down or even deeper
Use your electronics to determine exactly where the fish are holding before you drop your baits. Depth control is critical this time of year.
What Will Work (Consistently)
Downlines
The best bet for catching these fish is a downline fished 30–80 feet down, over and in the fish. Make sure you have lively bait on the hook at all times.
Long fluorocarbon leaders
The herring are finicky this time of year, so give them plenty of leader to swim on. We will be using 8–10 feet of 10-pound fluorocarbon leader below a 1.75-ounce Striper Tackle Pro Pencil swivel weight and a No. 1 octopus or octopus circle hook.
Fresh bait
Change your baits every five to seven minutes when you are fishing 30–35 feet above the treetops. If you find fish on a slick bottom with no trees and you are fishing 40 feet down or even deeper, your baits may not live more than a minute or two. You will go through a lot of herring this time of year if you want the best bait possible down there.
Power reeling
A Striper Tackle Hawg Spoon or a 2-ounce Capt. Mack’s Super Jig or Chipmunk Jig with a 4-inch trailer—or even one of your dead herring—will be the best choices. Drop down through the school, start cranking it back up past the fish, and hang on. This is a great way to keep a school fired up under the boat.
What Will Stop Working
Keeping tired bait on the hook
Herring do not last long in the hot, deep water. If your bait is not lively, change it.
Fishing one depth without watching your electronics
Fish may be 30–35 feet above the treetops in one area and 40 feet down or deeper over a slick bottom. Put your bait where the fish are, not where they were yesterday.
Staying shallow too long
Main-lake pockets may produce early, but most stripers will be on the creek or river channels in 90–120 feet of water.
Key Takeaways for Anglers
- Most stripers have pushed down the lake into their normal summertime haunts
- Target south-end creek and river channels in 90–120 feet of water
- Fish downlines 30–80 feet deep, based on what you see on your electronics
- Use long fluorocarbon leaders and keep lively herring on the hook
- Expect the power-reeling bite to improve throughout the month
What to Expect Heading Into September
As August progresses, expect the deep summer pattern to remain the most dependable. Keep watching the thermocline, bait, and fish position on your electronics. The power-reeling bite should continue getting better as the month goes on.
Captain Ron’s Final Thoughts
August fishing is all about depth, lively bait, and paying attention to what your electronics are showing you. Be ready to change baits often, and keep a spoon or jig ready to power reel through the school. Be sure to hang on to that rod because these fish will try to take it out of your hands. It will be hot, so make sure you have plenty of water with you when you get out there. Go catch ’em up!
Captain Ron’s Note
We have all disappointed God in our lives no matter how much we say we are followers of Christ. Peter was Jesus’ best friend most likely to the point that in Luke 22:33 He says he will follow Him to prison or even death. Jesus’ answer is you will deny me three times in just the next few hours. Sure enough, Peter denies Jesus three times and as he does the third time, he locks eyes with Jesus and leaves in utter shame. We have all done this and immediately regretted it and said to ourselves “what have I done?” Peter goes back to what he knows and where Christ comes back, He seeks Peter out and asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him. He redeems Peter for all three transgressions and restores Peter’s failures.
He does this for us as well and shows us that we can do nothing to earn restoration because it is given to us by His grace through our faith in Jesus. We see that restored people will lead others to restoration. Peter got up and preached about Jesus’ grace and 3000 people came to know who Jesus really is. We aren’t our worst moment and when we are bold to reveal Him, He is bold to heal us.
For the latest lake level, water temperature and current fish location, check our Lake Lanier Weekly Fishing Conditions Reports.