Lake Oconee Fishing Report – March 2006

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp: 50 to 53 degrees. Clarity: Stained, with the clearest water in the Richland Creek arm.

Bass: Stained water and warm temperatures this week should suck more and more bass shallow, according to tournament angler Aaron Batson. “A lot of guys are still throwing the small crankbaits, but spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps — moving baits — that’s the key. Right now you’re having to slow-roll a spinnerbait, but as the month goes on you can fish faster. The spinnerbait bite is just starting. For numbers you can’t hardly beat a blue/chrome Rat-L-Trap. Right now, you have to burn it off the bank two or three feet, then let it fall down, and then you’re slowin’ it back. A lot of fish are hitting on that fall.” Aaron said the jig bite on boat docks has been painfully slow lately, but as usual when you catch one, it’s a quality bass.

Crappie: Fair for numbers, excellent for slabs. Ten-fish days with all of the crappie weighing two pounds have been common in the past two weeks. Guide Doug Nelms has been knocking big crappie in the head fishing just a few feet deep with minnow-tipped jigs over shallow stump flats up the Apalachee River. Some good catches have come from up the Oconee River as well, although it’s been more stained. The bite for big crappie should peak around the full moon.