Lake Oconee Fishing Report – May 2008

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp: 70-76 degrees. Clarity: Lightly stained.

Bass: Fair. Most of the bass are finished spawning, and the good postspawn patterns should get going soon. “The shad spawn is in full swing and will continue for most of the month,” said guide Al Bassett. “First thing in the morning look for the shad on hard seawalls around the lake. Cast your bait parallel to the seawall where you have found the shad. Small crankbaits, topwater baits or spinnerbaits are the best baits.” Once the sun gets up, you can still catch bass near the seawalls where shad were spawning at daylight. Use Carolina-rigged worms in 6 to 10 feet of water, or try a crankbait if water is moving. If the shad aren’t spawning, concentrate on points just off the spawning pockets and use spinnerbaits, crankbaits or Carolina-rigged worms. “The first part of the month an Ol-Nelle spinnerbait in chartreuse/white fished on the seawalls with the shad and also on the points is the bait I would choose. At the end of the month as I start fishing the summertime holes, I will be using a Carolina-rigged worm in the watermelon-seed or watermelon-candy colors with a 24-inch leader,” Al said.

Crappie: Fair, with fish starting their move into summertime areas. “Look for them to start to gather over brushpiles and drop-offs around the lake,” Al said. The deeper we get into May, the more fish you will find in these areas. Night fishing under the bridges and in the timber has started and will only get better week by week.”