Oconee On The Fly

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January 17, 2018 By Wayne Moore

Fishing Report 1/17/2018 – The year ahead, planning for your best trip.

We are booking trips for 2018 now! Most of the availability is on weekends so it’s a good idea to think about when you want to come, what you want to catch and know the best times for your trip. BE SURE TO BOOK YOUR TRIP WELL IN ADVANCE! CALL 706-816-4281 or E-MAIL: wmoore1700@outlook.com

Here at Oconee On The Fly, our main focus is fly fishing for Hybrid and Striped Bass. There are certain times of year that are optimum for fly fishing and other times are better for crappie fishing.

CRAPPIE – January through the first week in March, crappie fishing is excellent. Large crappie migrate up the lake and long lining or pushing jigs off the front of the boat will often yield good catches of 1 one and half to two pound slabs! If your trip is booked around the full or new moon, it’s often better. Also, the old timers here always say the third day of warm weather is off the charts.

WHITE BASS AND SPAWNING CRAPPIE – Usually by the second week in March the famous white bass run is happening up Dyar’s Pasture on the Oconee River. Our G3 tunnel hull boat with hydraulic jack plates is perfect for running up the Oconee River. This is off the charts fly fishing, we can teach you to cast; or if you prefer you can use a light spinning rod. If timing is right, it’s not uncommon to limit out quickly. We will also be breaking out the light weight fly rods to catch the spawning crappie.

HYBRIDS DURING THE SHAD SPAWN – The shad spawn in 2017 started the first week in April. This is the time of year when we break out the 8-weight fly rods. These are bigger rods; we use exclusively Scott fly rods with Lamson reels. This is a top of the line outfit and casts like a dream. I have a saying, “if it’s not a Scott, throw it back.” Nothing beats the rush of fighting a nice hybrid on a fly rod. However, if they are hitting a spinner bait better, we break out the spinning rods.

THE SPOON IN JUNE – In late May and June, Hybrids and stripers can be taken on a spoon, trolling umbrella rigs, and live shad. We have a 35-gallon Super Saver bait tank and when the shad bite is on, you will have plenty of fresh bait and Shimano rods paired with Cold Water line counter reels.

TOP WATER FLY FISHING PEAK MONTHS – from late July through early September we often have what is called “the pump back bite.” When Georgia Power is pumping water up from Lake Sinclair the top water bite is unbelievable. These trips usually mean we are on the water before sunrise. The hybrids come up first and we use the Scott 8 weight and “wiggle minnow” fly. It moves through the water like a Rapala. Later in the morning we catch largemouth on a clouser minnow type sinking fly. Finally, when the pumpback stops, we drop spoons and get into bigger hybrids and stripers.

FALL FISHING – Crappie and late fall chasing the birds to find top water Hybrids. The crappie are usually around Lick Creek in the fall and in late fall the birds may come in to show us where the hybrids are.

OUR PHILOSOPHY – Mixing fly fishing and conventional tackle gives you the opportunity to learn something new; experience the thrill of catching a hybrid, striper, or largemouth on a fly rod; and still load the boat on conventional tackle after the peak hours of fly fishing.

We will call you a few days before your trip to advise you of conditions on Lake Oconee, what is biting and what to expect.

We want you to have a safe and fun trip; we will work hard to make it a trip of a lifetime!

Tight lines,

Wayne W. Moore

Filed Under: Fishing Report

Book a Trip

Call 404-317-9556 or email wmoore1700@outlook.com to book your trip now!

“Anyone who wants to have an incredible day fishing with Captain Wayne won’t be disappointed. I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to catch fish and have a wonderful experience with an amazing individual. He’s very knowledgeable about fly fishing and spin fishing. He knows how to catch em and has fun doing it with excitement. Waynes the man for Oconee , if you go once you’ll go again!”

Bob Merriman from The Fish Hawk






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