Lake Oconee Fishing Report – Week of August 22

 

Bass (Largemouth & Spotted):

The early topwater bite has slowed with the heat, but there is still some action first thing in the morning. Schoolie hybrids and largemouth are feeding for a couple of hours after daylight. Throw buzzbaits, Pop-Rs, or pearl-white flukes around schooling fish. Once the sun gets up, move to deeper rocky points with Carolina-rigged green pumpkin Missile Baits D Bombs. For shallow cover, flipping a ½-ounce Mop Jig in black/blue or watermelon with a Super Chunk trailer around docks and shaded pockets will produce.

 

Stripers & Hybrids:

This is one of the best times of year for striper and hybrid fishing on Oconee. Fish are schooling from the dam bubble line up through mid-lake near the 44 Bridge. Trolling Mini Macks is a go-to technique right now and will put good numbers of hybrids and white bass in the boat. You can also graph schools in 25 to 35 feet of water and drop spoons directly on them. War Eagle spoons are a solid choice, but color is not critical.

 

Crappie:

The crappie bite is slow in August. Fish are buried in deeper structure and timber. Your best chance is early in the morning around brush or timber with a small jig or minnow, fished slow.

 

Fishing Tips:

 

• Be on the water at first light for the best bass and hybrid action.

• Use electronics to locate striper and hybrid schools before trolling or dropping spoons.

• Midday bass are holding on rocky points and docks, so slow down with heavier rigs.

• Crappie are tough this time of year, but work deep brush slowly if you target them.

• Handle fish carefully in the heat, especially stripers.

 

 

Preferred Baits:

 

• Bass: Buzzbaits, Pop-R, pearl-white fluke, Carolina-rigged D Bomb, Mop Jig with Super Chunk

• Stripers/Hybrids: Mini Macks trolling, War Eagle or other spoons dropped on schools

• Crappie: Small jigs or minnows around brush and timber