Lake Oconee Fishing Report – January 2008

Oconee: Level: 2.3 feet below full pool and dropping. Temp: 51 to 52 degrees. Clarity: Slight stain.

Boating advisory: When Georgia Power is moving water the level may drop by 1 to 1 1/2 feet so use caution when running the lake.

Bass: Mike Cleveland said he’s finding plenty of fish shallow. “I’m fishing main-lake docks in 4 to 5 feet of water,” said Mike. “I’ve been fishing a jig and a spinnerbait. There’s got to be deep water nearby, and I’m fishing from Sugar Creek to Richland. The places are just scattered.” Mike’s favorite spinnerbait is an Ol-Nelle with double gold Colorado blades and a white or white/chartreuse skirt. He likes a black/blue jig. “I’ve been catching more fish on the spinnerbait but better fish on a jig,” said Mike. “Some of the fish are on seawalls, some on wood, blowdowns and stumps. They’re just scattered right now. There are some fish deep, but I’m not fishing for them. They’re catching them in 16 to 21 feet of water on jigging spoons, but the fish don’t have any size to them.” For a deep-water option later this month, concentrate near the creek mouths, and use your electronics to find pods of baitfish. Mike’s January plan is to run main-lake docks with a jig. He’ll stick with 4 and 5 feet of water on the front, but to consistently catch fish he says deep water must be close. “I’ll start throwing a crankbait on rocks in January,” said Mike. “I like the water to get in the low 50s for this bite to get going. A Gulp, a (Rapala) DT4 and a No. 7 Shad Rap in crawfish are three I like. Just bang it off the rocks.”

Crappie: Good. Allan Brown said the fish have moved into the creeks and coves, but that the big 2-lb. slabs have not yet come up. He’s catching 30 or 40 fish a day trolling jigs in 20 feet of water with the fish holding 8 to 10 feet deep. Triple-ripple jigs in John Deere or Acid Rain fished on a 1/16-oz. jig head are catching the most fish. Allan said the 1 1/2-lb. fish are biting well on Oconee, and that the bigger fish should turn on with another cold snap.