5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Family Striper Fishing on Lake Lanier
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Fivehour private charter targeting striped and spotted bassFamilyfriendly experience with kids 12 and under fishing freeCaptain Brad provides patient guidance for all skill levels
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in the family? Captain Brad Whitehead's 5-hour striper charter on Lake Lanier hits the sweet spot between serious fishing and family fun. This isn't your typical hardcore fishing grind – it's designed specifically for parents and kids to fish together, with the patience and guidance that makes all the difference. Kids 12 and under fish free (up to 2), so you can introduce the little ones to the sport without breaking the bank. Lake Lanier's clear waters and healthy striper population make it one of Georgia's top-rated family fishing destinations, and Captain Brad knows exactly where to find them.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the lake is calm. Captain Brad runs a clean, safe boat that's perfect for families – plenty of room to move around and kid-friendly safety features that give parents peace of mind. The beauty of this charter is the balance between teaching and catching. You'll spend time learning proper techniques for targeting both striped and spotted bass, but the focus stays on making sure everyone has a good time. The captain adjusts the pace based on your crew – if the kids are getting antsy, he'll switch spots or try different baits to keep the action going. This private charter approach means no rushing, no competing with other anglers, and plenty of one-on-one instruction for anyone who needs it.
Lake Lanier stripers respond well to a mix of trolling and live bait fishing, and Captain Brad uses both depending on conditions and what the fish want that day. You'll likely start with trolling umbrella rigs or large spoons in the main lake channels where stripers school up to feed. The captain handles all the technical stuff – setting lines, adjusting depths, and reading the electronics – while you focus on fighting the fish. When the bite gets hot, he'll switch to live bait fishing with herring or shad, which often produces the biggest fish of the day. The gear is all provided and maintained, from heavy-duty rods that can handle big stripers to lighter tackle for the spotted bass. Kids get scaled-down equipment that's easier to manage, and the captain takes time to show everyone proper reeling technique and how to work a fish without losing it.
"Lots of fun and fish! Captain Brad was great! I recommend you try it if you want to catch some big strippers." - Everett Porter
"Brad worked hard to locate fish. He was great with my grandson and provided good information about the fish and the techniques to catch them. He operated the boat in a professional and safe manner. Glad to meet and fish with you Brad." - Mike Custenborder
Striped bass are the main attraction on Lake Lanier, and for good reason. These silver torpedoes can grow massive in Lanier's deep, oxygen-rich waters – fish in the 15 to 25-pound range are common, with some bruisers pushing 30 pounds or more. Stripers are most active in spring and fall when water temperatures are in their comfort zone, but summer fishing can be excellent if you know where to find the cool water and baitfish. What makes stripers so exciting is their fight – they make blistering runs and jump when hooked, giving everyone on the boat a show. The best part about targeting stripers with families is that when you find them, you usually find a bunch of them, so everyone gets a chance to hook up.
Spotted bass add variety to your day and are often more willing to bite when the stripers get finicky. These scrappy fighters punch above their weight class – a 3-pound spot will give you a better fight than most fish twice its size. Spots hang around rocky points, submerged timber, and creek channels throughout Lake Lanier, and they're active year-round. Spring is prime time when they move shallow to spawn, but you can catch quality spotted bass any month of the year. Kids especially love catching spots because they're aggressive biters and stay hooked well – less chance of losing fish at the boat. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for a fish fry back home.
Captain Brad's family-friendly approach and Lake Lanier's consistent fishing make this charter a customer favorite for good reason. The 5-hour trip length is perfect – long enough to get into some serious fishing but not so long that kids get burnt out. With only 2 guests max, you get personalized attention that's hard to find on bigger charter operations. Spring through fall offers the best fishing, but don't sleep on winter trips when the crowds are gone and the fish are hungry. Lake Lanier's striper fishing has been trending upward the last few years, and word is getting out about the quality fishing. Book early, especially for weekend trips during peak season. This is the kind of fishing memory that gets kids hooked on the sport for life, and parents talking about "that time we caught all those stripers" for years to come.
You'll be fishing aboard a top-notch powerboat designed specifically for Lake Lanier's striper action. This well-equipped vessel gives Captain Brad the speed and maneuverability needed to chase down those schooling bass across the lake's prime fishing spots. The boat comes loaded with everything serious anglers appreciate – a reliable fish finder to locate those deep water stripers, GPS to mark your hotspots, and a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when the fish get finicky. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and any keeper fish fresh during the 5-hour adventure. With comfortable seating for up to 2 guests, there's plenty of room to spread out your tackle and give everyone space to cast without tangling lines. The stable platform makes it easy for kids to handle their rods safely while parents help with the action. Captain Brad knows exactly where to find the striped and spotted bass that Lake Lanier is famous for, and this responsive boat gets you there quickly so you can spend more time with lines in the water instead of running around looking for fish.
Micropterus PunctulatusSpotted bass are scrappy fighters that typically run 1-3 pounds in Lanier, though some push 5+ pounds. You'll spot them by the dark horizontal stripes along their sides and connected dorsal fin. These fish love rocky structure and drop-offs in 15-25 feet of water, especially around points and submerged timber. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them fun is their deep diving fight - unlike largemouth that jump, spots pull hard toward the bottom. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. My go-to trick here is working a jig slowly along rocky ledges in the main lake. When you find one spotted bass, there's usually more nearby since they school together.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the main attraction in Lanier, with most fish running 3-8 pounds and some monsters hitting 20+ pounds. These silver bullets with dark horizontal stripes cruise open water and suspend over deep structure following schools of shad. Early morning and late evening are money time, especially during spring and fall when they push baitfish to the surface. What guests love is the raw power - stripers make long runs and fight harder than any bass. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The key trick on Lanier is watching for bird activity over the main lake channels. When you see gulls diving, get there fast and throw anything that looks like a wounded shad.
5.0 out of 5.0Lots of fun and fish! Captain Brad was great! I recommend you try it if you want to catch some big strippers.
Everett Porter, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip.
Brad worked hard to locate fish. He was great with my grandson and provided good information about the fish and the techniques to ...
Mike Custenborder, Thank you! You folks were awesome. Looking forward to our next trip. Aiden was a ...
Lake Lanier