What is the general trend in the winter for Lanier--- are the fish largely north (above brown's bridge) or are equally dispersed? In the past couple of years I've mostly stayed south (it's closer to me), and there are fish as far south as the dam, and in shoal creek, baldridge, etc....but they are very scattered and it's never been very productive for me. I've always assumed it's just rookie luck (mostly bad).
I notice the south end is never hurting for bait in the winter-- lots of large balls of bait all over the place-- but they tend to be molested more by the feathered predators than the ones with fins.
Maybe they're equally dispersed north and south, but the south end is bigger water and they're just harder to find?
Any advice or comments would be greatly appreciated!

I cant tell a difference in the winter time. I fish shoal, flat, and wahoo. That covers the whole lake. I think they are everywhere, I just stick to my guns and fish where I'm felling lucky. Theres by far more birds on the south end if that helps? I think its slower for everyone numbers wise, but far more fun seeing those fish blow up your bait then haveing a down rod getting pulled on.

You're right about #'s of birds on the south end; and I definitely agree with any top water action beating the heck out of other types of fishing for the fun and excitement!

There are more birds on the southend, because they come from the landfill. I think more of the birds on the northend are there for just the bait, and are much better indicators of fish than the floating flocks on the southend.

My experience on the south end is that actively diving gulls are almost always targeting loons, which are targeting bait....most of the times I don't see any signs of fish, just loons surfacing here and there. Could also be fish there, but they're not on the surface in the high % of the time. It's not hard to tell when there's surface feeding fish in the mix!!

In any case, I guess i'm just wondering if it's worth the extra distance/gas/time to to pull the boat further north than, say, Old Federal in the winter months? It's a haul from Tucker just to get to Oakwood for bait, so it'd have to be worth the extra time on the road for me......plus I'm not really familiar with the water up there.

Thanks!

Worm
Winter is better up north. less water and more predictable. The bait balls are like nothing i've seen anywhere else. You can be in 20 ft of water and get a false bottom reading because so much bait so thick.
Let's go in a couple weeks.
Keith

I agree with Stripermack. Per acre of water there will be more fish up north. Just as many fish down south but on twice the area. The gas you save in the boat will make up what you burn in the truck. Sitting in the truck at Thompson Bridge right now waiting on the rain to pass.

I agree that there are more fish up North. However, there is generally less fishing pressure on the Southend at this time. I like traveling North for more "Quality" fish, but I also like the solitude sometimes in Southern Creeks. PS I'm not referring to Flat Creek, where there is never solitude.

what live baits are working now tried small and large trout,bluebacks,and shad, marginal success so far

Same here, I fish 90% of the winter above Thompson Bridge, but you cant say Shoal Creeks not undeniable. All you have to do is show up, and put one line out per person. Anymore more than that your asking for it.

How about for night time bomber fishing? North or south of browns bridge now. is anyone going ? if so are they catching any fish. I would rather stay south. Never really fished the north at night. anybody have any ideas where to go if I even went north. . do you have to go way up river channel..

thanks for the help
moo.