Lake Oconee Fishing Report June 2015

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp: 82-84 degrees. Clarity: Clear down the lake; light stain up the lake.

Bass: Tournament angler Aaron Batson reports, “Fish have moved deeper. When current is moving, crank deep summer locations with a Normans DD22 or Strike King 6XD crankbait in blue/chartreuse colors. Look for bass to hold in 15 to 22 feet of water on the downstream current side of structure. Also try a 3/4-oz. Net Boy Baits football jig in black and blue in the same areas. Tip the football jig with a Trixster Custom Baits craw flappy. Dip the bait in clear JJ’s Magic for more bites.”

Linesides: Guide Doug Nelms reports, “This is the big numbers month we have been waiting on. I will be trolling U-rigs over the humps and points on the lower end of the lake. If you like to eat fish, this is the fish fry month as sometimes we will boat 30 or more in a half day. When Georgia Power is generating, it is typically non-stop action. I will use a Capt. Mack’s 3-oz. arm loaded with 3/4-oz. jig heads. At 3 mph, that rig will swim at around 18 feet on 100-lb. braided line, which is perfect over the places we are fishing. The fish will usually run in the 5- to 7-lb. range, but every now and again we can catch one over 10.” Guide Mark Smith reports, “Striper fishing at Oconee in the summer can be tough. The water has lost its oxygen, and the stripers will leave the lake and go up the rivers to survive. But all is not lost. There will be an early morning topwater bite on points and at the dam when Georgia Power is pumping water back into the lake. A popping cork with a floating jig will draw great action as well as a white Rooster Tail.”

Crappie: Guide Mark Smith reports, “Head to the submerged timber, and drop a crappie minnow down. You will need good electronics to find the crappie this time of year. Use your Lowrance Structure Scan to locate the crappie in the trees. When you find the fish, drop a minnow into the fish, and start filling your cooler. I think this is the best time of year to fill a cooler with crappie. The fish are in the timber, they are hungry, and they will stay there all summer. The kids are out of school, and the crappie are feeding, so take a kid fishing and enjoy the summer.” Guide Doug Nelms reports, “The happy crappie fishing will begin in June as we begin to target standing timber over deep points. I use live bait during this time, and this is way different than spider-rig fishing. I usually allow a customer to only use two rods each, instead of the huge spread we use in the spring, because when you find them, it is non-stop action. This is when we begin to catch a lot of good numbers, and 30 to 40 fish on a half day is not a stretch. Good electronics is an absolute must this month, as you will be able to see which trees will hold fish and those that don’t. When you see them, you can catch them.” Guide Al Bassett reports, “Crappie fishing currently is very good. Fish are holding in deeper water, over brushpiles, standing timber and deep drop-offs. Night fishing under the bridges and in the timber has started to pick up and will be good all though the summer months. Use your Lowrance HDS and LSS-2 to find the fish on the brushpiles or the deep drop-offs before you start fishing. Mark the area where you find the fish holding with a buoy marker, and either use live bait or cast to the area using Jiffy Jigs Super Grubs. When you find the crappie, work the area thoroughly. The fish will school up in big schools during this time of year. Some of the schools of crappie you will find will be big enough to get a good limit of fish. During the summer months, you can find big schools of fish over these areas, so spend time looking before you start to fish. If you plan to keep fish make sure you have plenty ice on hand to keep your catch from spoiling.” Guide Jody Stephens said, “Crappie are in the trees! They can be caught long-line trolling over the submerged timber or by downlining minnows. Use your Lowrance Downscan to locate the fish holding on trees and brushpiles. Jiffy Jig Super Grubs in wildcat, acid rain and blue silver sparkle have been great on 3/32-oz. light-wire jig heads trolled at 1.0 mph.”