Lake Oconee Fishing Report May 2011

Oconee: Level: Full pool. Temp: 68-72 degrees. Clarity: Light stain.

Bass: Fair. Fish have mostly spawned out and are coming off beds. They are real sluggish right now while they get their strength back. The shad spawn has started and will help fatten them back up and have them feeding early. Be on the lake early, and look for any hard-bottom bank like rip-rap and seawalls. Throw just about any bait you like that matches the size and shape of the shad. Expect this bite to only last an hour or so each morning. Later in the month, fish will be moving out to deep water as summer approaches. Then go to your Carolina rigs and football jigs in 12 to 18 feet of water as they set up on their summer patterns.

Crappie: Fair. Guide Al Bassett reports, “Currently most of the fish have moved back into deeper water over brushpiles and deep drop-offs. Use a live minnow, and fish right over the brush while using your depthfinder to locate the area of the brush that is holding the fish. Once you find the fish in an area, work it very good, as you most likely have found a school of fish. Night fishing with lights off the side of the boat has started and will only get better.” Al will be hosting a Lowrance “Try Before You Buy” event on May 20 and 21 out of Sugar Creek Marina. For more information contact, Al at (706) 473-7758.