LAKE OCONEE IS FULL, LOW 50’S

Bass fishing is fair. The lake is full, heavy stain in the rivers, light stain on most of the lake. The water temperature is 49 to 54 degrees. Start in the back of the coves off of the main lake and work your way out using small crank baits around docks and sea walls. Square billed crank baits are working best. Fish these baits slow as the water has cooled. Some fish are coming on jigs with a green or brown trailer. White spinner baits have also been producing some fish. Fish these baits near bridge rip rap and sea walls. Along with the spinner baits a rattle trap will also bring a few bites.

Striper/hybrid report by Mark Smith of Reel Time Guide Service. Phone 404 803 0741 or [email protected]

Striper fishing is very good. Look for birds working bait and the fish will be under them. You can use a spoon in the naturel pattern or live shiners. Jig heads with a sassy shad cast into the birds will also produce. You can use your Lowrance to locate the schools of fish and bait, then drop your live bite or spoons down to the fish. The best fishing has been where Richland Creek joins the main lake near the dam.

Crappie fishing is fair. Most of the crappie have been in the mouths to the middle of the major creeks. Use your Lowrance to locate the schools in the timber and then drop live bait down to them. The other method that is working is to use a spider rig and work a large area of the creeks with jigs tipped with a minnow. Blue and black jigs have been the color of choice.

The 2015 Atlanta Boat Show is January 11, through 15, 2015 at The Georgia World Congress Center. Meet these anglers in the “Let’s Go Fishing Center”: Ken Sturdivant, Dan Saknini, Mark Smith, Jimbo Mathley, Al Bassett, Matt Henry, Matt Henry, Tom Branch, Jr., Rick Burns, Rene Hess CCI, Captain Mark Smith, Randy Hancock, Matt Driver, and Chris Scalley.