Oconee Bass

[oldgold]

Finally made it out to Lake Oconee last week. Fishing was good from daylight up till about 9am. Water temp was 83 to 86. It was hot, but still managed getting a few to the boat. Caught them on Pop-R's, White Spinner Baits, and Zoom Baby Brush Hogs. I ended up landing 6 and losing another 3. Not too bad for the dog days of summer. Especially since the first 3 to the boat were caught on top water. The biggest fish shown in the net was about 3 to 3.5 lbs. Probably going to try out Lake Sinclair and Jackson this weekend, but I have a feelin' that the 105 degree temps are going to run me off the lake by 8am.

[Windknot]

I love Pop R's and small Spooks! The heat this weekend will be dangerous, too. Hope you get into them again.

My time will be short, so I'll be close to home. Betcha I'm back inside by 10am!

[Fishbreath]

If you go out to jackson be careful. water has come up a bit since dam repair but running the lake in a pontoon boat was a bit tricky in a couple of spots.

[oldgold]

Originally Posted by Fishbreath

If you go out to jackson be careful. water has come up a bit since dam repair but running the lake in a pontoon boat was a bit tricky in a couple of spots.

Fishbreath,
It is still about 3 ft low. We live about 3 miles from the boat ramp at Jackson. The only thing I have going for me there is our boat only drafts 8 inches. We put in at Reasors Landing and made it to the dam ok. We tried to go up the lake to Bear Creek and it is REALLY SHALLOW. Only caught 3 Sunday on Jackson. About to give up bass fishing for a while and start wading north ga creeks. Figured it would be cooler anyway. Although eating the breakfast buffet at Martins Marina after fishing till 9 isn't so bad. After breakfast you might as well pack it up.

Windknot,
I agree small top water has to be the most fun. I could throw that stuff all day just to have 1 erupt on top. Lucky Craft makes a top plug called the Kelly J which has been very productive. Also the baby torpedo has been catching them. The biggest thing I have noticed is you have to be chugging the lures instead of slow rolling the prop plugs like a spinner bait. They are nailing the erratic retrieval.

[Windknot]

Originally Posted by oldgold

They are nailing the erratic retrieval.

Thanks! Good to know.

On the fly side of the house, I applied that rule to poppers and Stealth Bombers. Slow, rhythmic retrieves are wasted. Either totally motionless or fairly aggressive retrieves with lengthy pauses worked much better for bass and bluegills.

And the carp are STILL giving me the fin.