Lake Oconee Fishing Report – March 2008

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp.: 51-57 degrees. Clarity: Muddy up the creeks and rivers, stained throughout most of the main lake except for clear water in Richland Creek.

Bass: Good. Bass are moving into staging areas for the spawn. Main-lake points at the mouths of short pockets and secondary points in the major creeks are holding bass. “As the water temperature rises to the mid 60s by the end of the month, the bass will be fully in their spawning mode,” said guide Al Bassett. “Look for the bass to follow the shad into the pockets. The best baits are small crankbaits like a No. 5 Shad Rap or a 1/2-oz. Rat-L-Trap in chrome-and-black or chrome-and-blue, or an Ol Nelle spinnerbait in white and chartreuse with one silver and one gold blade. The first part of the month work the areas in the pockets that are near the main lake. As the month comes to an end, be working the very back of the pockets. During the first part of the month a Carolina-rigged worm worked on the points would be a good second choice,” Al said.

Linesides: Poor. Guide Doug Nelms said the hybrids are hard to find. “I think they’re in transition right now. They’re just hard to find,” he said. The ones he has been able to locate have been hard to catch. However, the fishing should pick up soon. The fish are on their way down to the dam, and they will congregate on points and in the coves. “In three weeks or so there’ll be more hybrids and stripers caught than at any other time of the year,” Doug said. “They’ll all be at the dam.” Doug said your best bet is live bait. Troll shad near the barrels and on points and coves near the dam. If they are pulling water, pull flatlines. If they are pumping water back, fish downlines up the river.

Crappie: “Red hot. They’re on right now,” Doug said. “Anybody who wants to catch crappie needs to come right now. Don’t wait.” Doug has been catching big fish in the 2-lb. range up the Appalachee River, but he has heard similar reports from Sugar Creek, Lick Creek and Town Creek. “They’re on everywhere. There’s even been some guys catching them around their docks at night,” Doug said. “And all the fish are big right now. I’ve seen a bunch between 2 1/2 and 3 pounds. I haven’t seen any that will tip the scales at 3 pounds, but they’re coming.” The fish are moving in and out of the flats right now, and Doug is catching them in 3 to 5 feet of water. Try spider rigging with Jiffy Jigs, Hal Flys or tube jigs in dark colors. For a little flavor, try tipping your jig with a minnow.