Also, if you feel comfortable enough please PM me if you like with a spot you like to fish, I know I said before you don't have to but it would be appreciated and stay private
Sampling the Oconee Area
Started by
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
, Aug 05 2014 10:21 AM
12 replies to this topic
#1
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 10:21 AM
Anyone have any tips for sampling around the Oconee area? You don't have to give away your favorite spots, I already have some good ones, but please share some tips on how to catch them. i.e. hook? dip net? seine? type of bait, where to look in a stream for fish? Help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, if you feel comfortable enough please PM me if you like with a spot you like to fish, I know I said before you don't have to but it would be appreciated and stay private
Also, if you feel comfortable enough please PM me if you like with a spot you like to fish, I know I said before you don't have to but it would be appreciated and stay private
#2
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 05 August 2014 - 11:57 AM
Not to be difficult, but where do you really mean? There is a county in SC with that name. And I live in a county in GA with that name. And there is a Lake Oconee an hour or so South of me. And the Oconee River runs from Far North Georgia to pretty far into South Georgia. So really, they are a lot of different areas that you might call Oconee. What are you thinking of?
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#3
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 12:58 PM
Not to be difficult, but where do you really mean? There is a county in SC with that name. And I live in a county in GA with that name. And there is a Lake Oconee an hour or so South of me. And the Oconee River runs from Far North Georgia to pretty far into South Georgia. So really, they are a lot of different areas that you might call Oconee. What are you thinking of?
I mean Lake Oconee in Greene County Georgia. Sorry to be vague. Im going to Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro in a week and would like to know what are some good tips for working the area? i.e. traits of good fish streams, were in the stream to look for fish, baits to use
#4
Michael Wolfe
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 01:14 PM
Cool. Nice area down there. I am no micro-fisherman, so can't tell you about bait or stuff like that. But let me look this evening for some locations. Good seining spots are also good micro spots.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#5
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 01:55 PM
Thanks. I might also do some dipneting as I know of a place that sells some down there, obviously a dip net is not something you can bring on a plane(Ive tried).Cool. Nice area down there. I am no micro-fisherman, so can't tell you about bait or stuff like that. But let me look this evening for some locations. Good seining spots are also good micro spots.
#6
Guest_mikez_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 05:11 PM
FYI, I have flown with my dipnet in my carry on several times. I buy the biggest fish net from the pet store [with the short braided, coated handle]. Fits fine in a large suitcase. I also bring a roll of electrician's tape. On arrival, I find a suitable stick and tape the net to the stick for a long handle dip net. Sounds chincy to those of you who buy expensive nets, in all honesty, it's the same rig I use at home.
#7
Guest_mikez_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 05:15 PM
You're biggest problem is getting fish home if you fly. In the past I've flown with fish in soda bottles in a small cooler. Now the liquid ban prevents that. We used to have good luck mailing fish, been awhile so don't know if it's still done. If it is, you could mail your fish home the day you depart and they'd probably arrive the next day or two.
#8
Guest_lilyea_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 07:40 PM
The Perfect Dipnet from Jonah's Aquarium breaks down into three piece and fits into checked baggage. I've had mine for at least 10 years which make the expense (or total cost of ownership) pretty low. Similarly, a collapsable pole for micro-fishing (like the one's from tenkarabum.com) will also fit in checked (or carryon) baggage. Seining, dipnetting, or micro-fishing recommendations will at least partially depend on what types fish you are hoping to catch. You may find the following site helpful - http://fishesofgeorgia.uga.edu. Best of luck!obviously a dip net is not something you can bring on a plane(Ive tried).
#9
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 05 August 2014 - 07:54 PM
Well I don't have any collecting sites down that way.(which is kinda funny since it is less than an hour from my house). But according some old records from 1939, Richland Creek just west of Greensboro is supposed to have had Ocmulgee Shiners and Altamaha Shiners, two endemic Cyprinella. Looks like, according to Google maps roadview, there might be access on 15 NW of town. So that is one option for you. Not sure how much traveling you can do?
On the other hand, if there is something that you would like to see, seining or whatever, I know quite a few places up towards Athens, and I could take you out and we could see those same two fish and pretty much everything else that is typical of the drainage. You wouldn't need to have your own seine or dipnet or whatever... I have all that stuff. If you are interested in going out, PM me and let me know what days you are going to be down here.
On the other hand, if there is something that you would like to see, seining or whatever, I know quite a few places up towards Athens, and I could take you out and we could see those same two fish and pretty much everything else that is typical of the drainage. You wouldn't need to have your own seine or dipnet or whatever... I have all that stuff. If you are interested in going out, PM me and let me know what days you are going to be down here.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#10
Guest_Stickbow_*
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Posted 05 August 2014 - 08:37 PM
I didn't take good notes when I was living in Athens, but:
33°29'18.64"N 83°13'37.24"W at the bridge on HWY 44 (Lake Oconee Parkway), when the water is low but not horrible. AFAI can remember, the standard stuff listed on fishmap.org for the watershed, but it might be new to you.
Go take Michael's offer up and drive the 30 miles north. Maybe work the area around Skull Shoals between Reynolds Plantation and Athens - some of the fast water minnows, chubs, etc. -- if you snorkel and the water is low enough/clear enough, but it won't be in the late summer.
I used to LOVE spring at the GA power dam on the Oconee just outside Athens - end of old Barnett Shoals Road - 33°50'25.51"N 83°18'35.72"W. The crappie ran upriver there, along with every riverine species, and it was always cool and crawling with fish. Huge carp in the actual mill race. Have to admit I haven't been there in 20+ years, and it certainly coulda changed.
I killed a lot of hours in the creeks that feed the Oconee at the UGA botanical gardens in the 80's - shiners, chubs, darters.
To be honest, I seined and fished those creeks a lot more before Lake Oconee existed than after, so am a lot more familiar with the area pre-flood.
(note - the Coords are Google Earth, so are approximate, but will let you find them before you fly).
Honestly, I'd find a way to spend an afternoon hanging out with Michael - wish I could, in fact. If you're in Georgia the ninth, he may have another fun alternative to the Oconee, in fact.
33°29'18.64"N 83°13'37.24"W at the bridge on HWY 44 (Lake Oconee Parkway), when the water is low but not horrible. AFAI can remember, the standard stuff listed on fishmap.org for the watershed, but it might be new to you.
Go take Michael's offer up and drive the 30 miles north. Maybe work the area around Skull Shoals between Reynolds Plantation and Athens - some of the fast water minnows, chubs, etc. -- if you snorkel and the water is low enough/clear enough, but it won't be in the late summer.
I used to LOVE spring at the GA power dam on the Oconee just outside Athens - end of old Barnett Shoals Road - 33°50'25.51"N 83°18'35.72"W. The crappie ran upriver there, along with every riverine species, and it was always cool and crawling with fish. Huge carp in the actual mill race. Have to admit I haven't been there in 20+ years, and it certainly coulda changed.
I killed a lot of hours in the creeks that feed the Oconee at the UGA botanical gardens in the 80's - shiners, chubs, darters.
To be honest, I seined and fished those creeks a lot more before Lake Oconee existed than after, so am a lot more familiar with the area pre-flood.
(note - the Coords are Google Earth, so are approximate, but will let you find them before you fly).
Honestly, I'd find a way to spend an afternoon hanging out with Michael - wish I could, in fact. If you're in Georgia the ninth, he may have another fun alternative to the Oconee, in fact.
#12
Michael Wolfe
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- Board of Directors
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- North Georgia, Oconee River Drainage
Posted 06 August 2014 - 07:09 AM
Absolutely, if you are going to be here this weekend we have a Georgia NANFA trip planned in Altanta and we would love to have you join us. Just a few hours of collecting and a quick visit to the Nature Center we have been working with.
Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing. - Benjamin Franklin
#13
Guest_SunfishGuy99_*
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Posted 06 August 2014 - 02:14 PM
Some interesting information here guys, thanks. I figure that I can get all my supplies and nets from a local store. No need to go out and buy a $70 net to pack when I can buy 2 $30 and leave one there. I have been on google maps looking for possible entries to the oconee river, and found some interesting feeder streams. I think I will try in there if there isn't a long trek through the woods involved.
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