I guided on Lanier for about 8 years. If I were to hire a guide to show me a good day, it’d be Doug Youngblood (Fish Lanier Guide Service). He’s been on that lake for nearly 50 years.
you might try a 1oz egg weight, a swivel and a 36" leader. Use a rod with a stiff backbone and a really soft tip. Once the tip goes down and stays down, crank the reel a few times before coming up with the rod.