Lake Oconee Fishing Report – July 2023

Oconee: Level: Full at 435. Temp: 78 degrees. Clarity: Muddy from recent rains.

Bass: Guide Norris Edge reports, “The recent rains and increasing water temps have made the fishing tough on Oconee. The fish that are being caught are on a topwater bite early in the morning. You can find them on rip-rap and seawalls, and the Sugar Creek area seems to be the best to put some fish in your livewell. Downsize your baits to be more successful, like small spinnerbaits and Ned rigs.”

Crappie: Capt. Doug Nelms reports, “It is hard to believe it is July! It seems like we were just focusing on the springtime crappie bite, and now we are all over the brushpiles picking off some beauties. The brushpile crappie bite is really on fire right now, and on most half-day trips, we are putting at least a limit in the boat. It really doesn’t matter how you fish them, trolling or dipping, when you find the fish on the timber, you’re going to catch them. What I really like about this time of year is that it feels like the whole catching fish in a barrel mindset. We are fishing brushpiles mid-lake to fishing 70-foot deep trees down toward the dam. I feel like the deeper trees will produce the bigger fish, and one reason is I don’t see a lot of crappie fishermen targeting the deep timber. Those who do are rewarded with big ones. The method I use is single-pole jigging. I get customers to drop down minnows on 10-lb. braided line with a 1/2-oz. weight and 6-lb. fluorocarbon leader. When the crappie hits it, you can feel the thump right down to your ankles. The braided line is great in this operation, and I only lose about one sinker per year. When you get hung, a little whip on the rod will break off the light leader, and it’s not enough to spook the fish on the tree. Just a simple quick re-tie and you’re right back on the fish. The big moons in July will make the fish a lot more active, and as soon as this moon clears out, you will be able to catch them all over the lake.”

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