Thread: Oconee 7/20

Well we made it back to Oconee last night. We ended up keeping 45 pretty good crappie. We probably caught close to twice that many small cats. I think we only caught 5 hybrids opposed to the 35 we caught a week ago. Most of our crappie were 6 to 12 feet deep in 32 feet of water over an old timber plot. The best bite was from 11:30 until 1:30. All in all it was good night. Here's a picture of our set up with the Jerry lights and my partner with two of our better fish.

Sounds like you boys had a good night for July chappy. If things goes well I'm leaving @ 4PM headed that way myself for some of those "eater" cats.

Gabowman.... Those little cats are some real good eating. We were strictly using minnows. Would be interesting to see if a different appetizer was offered to them if it would help the size any. We fished the spot me and you talked about yesterday.

Chappy, we did fish Oconee where you and I discussed. Marked lots of bait and fish underneath while anchored in the deeper water. Wouldnt have minded having some minnows I might add. Looked good for crappie. We dropped a few tight lines and started catching cats...all small ones. We didnt bother keeping 'em and really didnt stay anchored long out in the deepoer water since we were wanting fish a little bigger. Didnt move far down the lake and got in 12' of water and fished there instead. We did alright...catching cats ranging from 1 lb. up to 6 lbs. apiece. Had one line broke due to too tight a drag. We fished till 11 and called it since we were about 70 miles from home and I knew I'd be sleepy before I got there since I was up at 4:30 Sat. morning. Anyway, I appreciate all your help with locations. It's always nice going on different water and trying your luck. And it's nice learning just a little more in different lakes.

Gabowman.....Sounds like you had a pretty good trip. Do you night fish for crappie any? The only time I try for cats at night is usually jugging and I've only did that 3 or 4 times. They just tend to follow us around. I guess they are drawn to the lights and minnows like all the rest of the fish are. The ride home is the worst part of the night fishing deal. Keep me posted and let me know what time supper is.

Chappy, about all I do anymore is crappie fish at nite. I used to jug fish exclusively but that was a long time ago now. I'm somewhat infatuated right now with catfishing so that's why I'm spending some time after them. "Course I have to plan my fishing around my daughter's softball. She starts college in another month and there she'll have about a month of softball this fall and then next spring is their regular season. After her fall season is over I'll lay in pretty thick for the crappie on Lake Russell. If you get a chance you and your fishing buddy needs to try making the clash this October and fish with us. It's garanteed to be a hoot slamming those Carolina boys and showing 'em what REAL FISHING is like!

That's awesome about your daughter. Where is she going to school at? I've thought about trying to make it over there, but my partner helps coach high school and middle school football and is the head middle school baseball coach. So his schedule is always touch and go on short notice. I also have 2 young boys, so too many overnight trips are hard especially when I like to go trolling as much as possible during the fall. If we don't make it, I'd like to hook up some time and do some fishing.

Originally Posted by crappiechappy

That's awesome about your daughter. Where is she going to school at? I've thought about trying to make it over there, but my partner helps coach high school and middle school football and is the head middle school baseball coach. So his schedule is always touch and go on short notice. I also have 2 young boys, so too many overnight trips are hard especially when I like to go trolling as much as possible during the fall. If we don't make it, I'd like to hook up some time and do some fishing.

With a set up like that I know yall catch some fish. I believe that you can never get enough lines in the water. I see you believe it too! It would be great to have yall help us kick those guys/gals butt! It will be fun for sure. I hope you will plan to join us on Lake russell. If not I'd love to hit the water with yall one night this fall.

Chappy, my daughter had a few offers to play ball but she fell in love with the school/size/location/coach/team/etc. at Truitt McConnell in Cleveland Ga. Not sure at this point where she'll go after a couple years but that'll be home for her until then. Smitty, I fully intend on fishing with you boys come Oct. (or before if you make it this way) unless I cant due to family emergences or something. Chappy, not too sure where Danville is, but from the boat ramp last Saturday to my house was only about 1.5 hrs. You should try making it up for the fish fry on Saturday atleast if possible. Hope to see you there.

Hey CC,

Looks like you've got a good setup. How big a florescent bulb can you get that will work off 12 volts? I can imagine hanging a four foot bulb out there for a lot of light. Or maybe even hanging it over the edge, running parallel to the boat.

I don't think I have ever fished with that many poles out, though. Looks like it would be a lot of work if the fish are biting, which it sounds like they were for you guys.

Nice job.
Eddie