Lake Oconee Fishing Report March 2014

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp: Mid 50s. Clarity: The main lake is still very stained, and Richland Creek, although stained, is not as bad as other areas.

Bass: Tournament angler Aaron Batson reports, “Good areas are up the rivers above I-20 and also down in Sugar Creek and Lick Creek. Look for fish to feed heavily before the spawn. Work shallow wood and rocky cover with a square-bill crankbait or Rat-L-Trap. Stay in the backs of pockets in 1 to 4 feet of water. Good fish will also be caught on 3/8-oz. Net Boy Bait jigs in black and green pumpkin. Tip the jig with a big bulky craw like a Wackem Crazy Baits Big Tater Bug. Always dip the bait in JJ’s Magic.”

Crappie: Guide Mark Smith reports, “Do not wait on the dogwoods to bloom. Now is the time to go crappie fishing. Spider rigging with dark jigs tipped with a minnow should do the trick. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools in the mouths of the major creeks, and drop your spider-rigged minnows down to the correct depth.” Guide Jody Stephens reports, “Good crappie are beginning to be caught in the main creek arms as they stage up for the spawn. Jiffy Jigs in any dark color tipped with a feisty minnow pushed slowly will produce fish once you find them. Longline trolling double jigs at the right depth is good as well. Look for the crappie action to go full tilt as the water begins to warm.”

Linesides: Guide Mark Smith reports, “Over the past two years, the striper/hybrid spring run to the dam has started on Feb. 28 and March 1. I think this year it will be a week or two later. We have had a wet, cold winter. I feel sure by the second week of March, maybe sooner, the stripers will be at the dam, and it will be game on. Live bait fished on downlines and flatlines on plainer boards, along with umbrella rigs, will be your best bait. Use your Lowrance to locate the large schools in the normal spots at the dam. This type of fishing is always a group event, and there will be lots of boats on the weekends fishing for these great fighting and tasty fish. This is one of the best times of the year to take a child fishing. The action is fast, and there are lots of fish packed into a small area. It is a great way to introduce someone to fishing.”