LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, 74 TO 81 DEGREES

The lake is full, light stain on the north end clear over most of the lake. Water temperature is 77 83.

Bass fishing is good. A good way to start your day is with a buzz bait. Fish it along the sea walls and riprap. When the sun get up switch over to a small crank bait or a Rat L Trap. Fish them in the same areas as the buzz baits. 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 have been producing larger fish. You will not get as many bites but the fish are usually bigger. The Buzz bait bite has started. Make sure you follow up a missed strike with a trick worm.

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

Striper fishing is very 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 like shad, shiner and bream. The umbrella rig has been the best producer over the past week. Fish it over the main lake humps and points when you see fish on your Lowrance.

Crappie fishing is good. 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]