LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 74 TO 81 70 DEGREES

Bass fishing is good. The lake is full, light stain on the north end clear over most of the lake. Water temperature is 74 to 81. Small crank baits, Rat L Traps are still the best baits. Fish them on the sea walls and bridge rip rap in the creeks and large coves off of the main lake. Sugar and Lick creeks have been good producers over the past week. White and chartreuse spinner baits fished on the bridge rip rap have also been very productive. Wood structure up the lake and in the rivers fished with a soft plastic has been producing larger fish. You will not get as many bites but the fish are usually bigger. Look for the buzz bait bite to take off any day as the water temperature continues to rise.

Striper report by Mark Smith of Reel Time guide service, 404 803 0741 or [email protected]

Striper fishing is good. The stripers/hybrids are on the move looking for food. Large schools of fish are showing up from the 44 bridge to the dam. Use your Lowrance to locate the large school on the mid and south end humps. When you find the fish drop a live bait down to the fish and hang on. All types of live bait have been working shad, shiners and bream. While you are looking for these fish troll an umbrella rig and you can catch fish while you are looking for the schools. These schools are moving fast so if you do not see them keep moving until they show up.

Crappie fishing is fair. Use a 1/16 jig head and long line it about 40 ft. from the boat. Over the past week the black green or black chartreuse curly tail grub have been the best producers. Look for fish from the middle out to the mouth of the coves and major creeks. A lot of fish are starting to show up on the deeper brush piles and trees. Use your Lowrance structure scan to locate the fish in the tree tops and drop a live minnow to them.

Make sure you stop by Sugar Creek Marina and pick up your spoons and all your tackle needs. You can also book your crappie and striper trips with Reel Time Service at 404 803 0741 or [email protected] Learn how to use the Lowrance technology with Ken Sturdivant. Free sonar set up [email protected]