Soft Plastics
Yamamoto Senko 5 in
The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.
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A deep, clear reservoir north of Atlanta known for big spotted bass and striped bass.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Lanier for spotted bass and striped bass. The best months overall are Feb to Jun, Sep to Dec. In October, spotted bass and striped bass are in season, and Ned Rig, Drop Shot and Walking Topwater are a good place to start. There are 12 shops within 45 miles (1 fly, 11 bait and tackle); the closest is Oakwood Bait and Tackle Shop in Oakwood, 3 mi away. Chattahoochee River is 29 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Feb to Jun, Sep to Dec
In October
Spotted Bass, Striped Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Lake Lanier Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
6 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Walking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Striped Bass, Spotted Bass · Surface blitzes.
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Spotted Bass
Shop This LureDrop Shot 3 to 4 in
LureFinesse · Spotted Bass
Shop This LurePaddle-Tail Swimbait 3 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Striped Bass
Shop This LureBucktail Jig 1/4 to 2 oz
LureJig · Striped Bass
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Striped Bass · Live shad or herring.
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Spotted Bass
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon.
Striped Bass
Fly 9 ft 9 wt rod, intermediate or sinking line, 20 lb leader. Clousers and Deceivers.
Spin / Cast 7 to 8 ft medium-heavy spinning rod, 4000 to 5000 reel, 30 lb braid with a 20 to 30 lb leader.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Lake Lanier
Crankbaits
Bill Lewis Rat-L-Trap
The classic lipless rattling crankbait for flats and schooling fish.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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Seaguar Red Label Fluorocarbon
Low-visibility fluorocarbon for leaders and clear water.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Lake Lanier
Bait & Tackle
Oakwood Bait and Tackle Shop
Oakwood, Georgia· 3 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Oakwood, GA.
Bait & Tackle
The Wave. Bait & Tackle Shop
Sugar Hill, Georgia· 8 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Sugar Hill, GA.
Bait & Tackle
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Gainesville, Georgia· 9 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Gainesville, GA.
Bait & Tackle
Brookton Bait & Tackle
Gainesville, Georgia· 9 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Gainesville, GA.
Make It a Trip
Nearby Water
Rivers & Streams · Georgia · 29 mi
Chattahoochee River
A cold tailwater below Buford Dam that holds trout through metro Atlanta.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · Georgia · 54 mi
Toccoa River
A tailwater below Blue Ridge Dam with drift boat trout fishing in the North Georgia mountains.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout
Rivers & Streams · South Carolina · 63 mi
Chattooga River
A Wild and Scenic River on the Georgia line with delayed-harvest trout water.
Rainbow Trout · Brown Trout