There’s a lot of controversy in some circles over the spotted bass. I mean let’s be honest. It’s not native to our area. OK. I get it. But that isn’t the fish’s fault. No reason to hate on it! Think of me as a spotted bass evangelist. Here to proclaim the gospel that is the glory of the spotted bass! Slicked back hair, greasy smile and all! Shoot, if you want I’ll even pass the collection plate to pay for my next gas bill when I go visit the holy land that is Lake Lanier.

All joking aside. The spotted bass has been in this area longer than millennials and Gen Z, so it’s time to bury the hatchet and enjoy the fish in my opinion. I’ve written extensively before about my love of the spotted bass and it’s willingness to eat topwater and it’s ability to pull harder than a largemouth. Last week’s catch by a customer on my good buddy Kevin Underwood’s boat is a prime example of this! A six-pound, six-ounce behemoth! I’m talking about ol’ Gertrude herself! 

Lake Lanier has emerged as one of the top producing big spotted bass lakes not just in Georgia but in the WORLD, folks. Seriously, if you want a trophy spot go fishing at Lanier. In the past year there’s no telling how many four-pound-plus fish I have personally caught up there. Lanier seems to raise the bar higher and higher on the spots every year. The cool thing is you are likely to catch a monster spot up there on several different techniques. From casting a Sebille magic swimmer, to throwing a Cast Prodigy on a nose rig, to a spot choker run through the ditches with a Keitech on it. I’ve also caught good ones spoon fishing in the ditches up there. I’ve watched another good friend Capt. Mack Farr catch them on shakey heads and robo worms. So pick your poison and your pleasure. You can find them if you just play your cards right.

Now here’s a little unsolicited advice on the big lake to our north. If you haven’t been up there before, get a guide. Seriously. GET. A. GUIDE! It’s a huge lake folks compared to our Oconee and Sinclair. The fish are completely different than ours and beating the banks doesn’t work a lot of the time up there. You need a guide to start with. So, call Kevin Underwood, Mack Farr, or Jimbo for instance. 

Next… Have some good tackle. A 5lb spot will pull a freight train off it’s tracks when it bites. You seriously need good line and good equipment. Personally I fish a lot of Lew’s reels and St. Croix rods. I use Sunline or P-Line fluorocarbon and when it’s time for braid get you some Cast x12. You will need the distance it gives you up there and the sensitivity. 

Baits- This is tough because the time of year is so important. Right now. Drop shots with worms by Lanier Baits, Robo Worms, or KBD Baits. Keitech 3-inch baits and Cast Prodigy are killing it right now too. In the summer, trust me, never leave home without a Sebille or an Evergreen Showerblows. Tail spinners and blade baits all have their time up there too. 

Be prepared for people… I mean I’m talking about lots and lots of PEOPLE! Big boats and house boats folks. More jetskis than you can imagine! They are everywhere. But then again… So are the big spots. Gwinnett County alone has more than a million residents now and if even 5% fish, that’s a lot of folks. Oh, and there’s ghosts! HA!!! Man, I love spotted bass and Lake Lanier.    

—Outdoors columnist James Pressley can be reached at pressleyoutdoors@gmail.com .