Lake Oconee Fishing Report June 2014

Oconee: Level: 0.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 73-77 degrees. Clarity: Light stain to clear.

Bass: Good. Tournament angler Aaron Batson reports, “I won a tournament just yesterday (May 22) with more than 17 pounds, including a big fish over 5 pounds. Fish are deeper than normal for this time of year. I found the best bite in 12 to 16 feet of water. Bass are setting up deep summer locations due to higher-than-normal temperatures. Try crankbaits, Carolina rigs and swimbaits over main-lake humps, points and ledges. Look for the bass to move out even deeper later in the month in the 25- to 30-foot foot range.”

Crappie: Guide Jody Stephens reports, “Oconee crappie are under the docks and in the trees currently and can be caught by downlining minnows over timber or pulling blue and silver Jiffy Jig super grubs in singles or doubles. Run your weighted jig head and speed so you are as close to the timber as possible. Docks have been good with 1/24-oz. Jiffy Jigs shot back into shady areas. The downline pattern should hold on timber and river channels the rest of the summer, while dock fish will thin out as water temps rise.”

Catfish: Fair to good. Guide Chad Smith reports, “In the coming weeks the bite will only get better with the warming water temps. Look for the catfish to go shallow over the next few weeks due to the spawn and will soon be on a great postspawn pattern. Look for the cats to be staging on shallow flats close to deep water, like channels, deep points, ditches, etc. The best way to catch these fish is to anchor. If the wind gets up, don’t be afraid to throw the drift socks out and drift all over and around these same areas with cut bream and gizzard shad.”