Cooling water drives a strong topwater bite on Lake Lanier

We only have a single reliable report from the lake this week, but it confirms that the classic Lanier fall pattern is right on schedule. The lake level is currently down 7.2 feet and the water remains clear. As the temperatures continue to drop, the spotted bass are getting noticeably more active and feeding heavily.\n\nThe cooling trend is pushing bait balls toward the creek mouths and windy points, and the big spots are moving up to chase them. Right now, surface lures are drawing consistent strikes across the reservoir. This is the time of year when blueback herring dictate the movement, so keep your eyes peeled for schooling activity over offshore humps and long points.\n\nFor this weekend, keep a topwater walking bait tied on and focus on those windy main-lake points and the mouths of the creeks. A swimbait or a jerkbait will be a reliable backup to pick off fish that are chasing bait but not quite willing to break the surface.