first timer to Oconee..what ramp to start with?

Never fished Oconee before, but I recently got a new boat (17' Alweld Marsh VV CC with 50 HP Yamaha, and MK Terrova) and would like to drive down from Cumming and check out the lake, maybe start learning it a little and catch a few crappie. I am also learning to crappie fish, have mostly fished for bass and bream previously. I like to jig with single pole, but I've been trying some long-lining up here with a couple poles. Mostly I catch and release, sometimes I keep a few for the pan (wife doesn't eat fish).

What boat ramp should I use coming from N Atl area, and what general area do you experienced folks think would be good for a new visitor? Also, are there any recommended bait stores in case I decide to get some minnows? Thanks.

When are you going. Got a group of friends headed that way this weekend. They wont mind you tagging along. They all longline troll and didn't do to bad last weekend. One lives in Cumming and I live in Dawsonville.

Hmmm, I might be able to finagle this, but someone's gonna be angry with me... It is tempting, but I'm not sure I can make it this weekend.

I don't even have rod holders on the boat yet, and barely have sonar rigged, but I can put 2 rods out and have a good time. I was mostly asking for planning ahead a week or two.

I haven't even completed the engine break-in. I probably should stick to Lanier for a few more trips, because I am also a "boat launching/recovering newbie". Dang.

When are y'all leaving and returning?

Be careful if this is your first trip to Oconee. Unlike Lanier, this lake is relatively shallow with a lot of standing timber just below the surface. It wasn't till the trees started rotting off above the surface did they mark the channels with marker bouys. Keep an eye on your depth finder cause you can go from 20' to 20"s in a heartbeat. I've fished this lake since impounded in the late 70's and have seen many a damaged boat due to trees and shallow water. Best advice is to take some of these fellows up on their invite and learn a little about the lake. Plenty good fishing to be had on Oconee so learn and enjoy.

Recommend Oconee outdoors at lick creek. They got good supply of Fishing tackle. Naturally, I recommend Litewirehooks and Tex’s jigs......

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Originally Posted by litewirehooker

Recommend Oconee outdoors at lick creek. They got good supply of Fishing tackle. Naturally, I recommend Litewirehooks and Tex’s jigs......

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Do you have Tex's Jigs on your site or what is his site? Need to get a few of his colors.

Send me email message. Email at bottom of post

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Originally Posted by Gabepeeps

Do you have Tex's Jigs on your site or what is his site? Need to get a few of his colors.

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So, tomorrow is looking to be windy, but Sun, Mon, and Tues are looking good, so I may make the trip and just "wing it", long-line some jigs or just ease around and cast. I need to get on a lake somewhere and finish my motor break-in, so if y'all ain't going to Oconee, I may go to Lanier and putt around tomorrow in the wind just to do that, and test my sonar, but the lake is high and full of debris (was even on the news tonight that folks' docks were inaccessible due to the high water). Decisions, decisions.

The gang isn't going to Oconee until Sunday. They are going to Allatoona tomorrow. Most of the ramps near me are closed on Lanier. Im in-between War Hill and Thompson Creek parks.

http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/a...900625_HDR.jpg
http://i974.photobucket.com/albums/a..._124904687.jpg

Couple pics of Thompson Creek ramp

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Originally Posted by Gabepeeps

The gang isn't going to Oconee until Sunday. They are going to Allatoona tomorrow. Most of the ramps near me are closed on Lanier. Im in-between War Hill and Thompson Creek parks.

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We linked up. He is gonna try to join us tomorrow.

Thanks for having me along this morning, guys. I did finally catch a crappie, but I was finishing up some boat tweaks yet while trolling around, and got in a little more motor break-in. I got my little Lowrance Hook2-5 HDI from my kayak working with the US2 transducer in the trolling motor, and was fooling with the settings and finally got some decent pics.

Since Lanier is out I want to go to Oconee with y'all, but the wife has some furniture she needs me to help haul tomorrow. I've been pushing my luck so I better give her some time. I bet it is going to be beautiful, though, so I may have to up and just go there Mon or Tuesday.

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Originally Posted by jawjatek

Thanks for having me along this morning, guys. I did finally catch a crappie, but I was finishing up some boat tweaks yet while trolling around, and got in a little more motor break-in. I got my little Lowrance Hook2-5 HDI from my kayak working with the US2 transducer in the trolling motor, and was fooling with the settings and finally got some decent pics.

Since Lanier is out I want to go to Oconee with y'all, but the wife has some furniture she needs me to help haul tomorrow. I've been pushing my luck so I better give her some time. I bet it is going to be beautiful, though, so I may have to up and just go there Mon or Tuesday.

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It was nice meeting you. We fish just about every weekend so you will hear from us soon.

I still want to go to Oconee in the AM; tomorrow is going to be nice with little wind. Tuesday a front goes by and they say 10-15 mph winds. There are really only 2 ramps close to I-20: Swords and Parks Ferry. Both are kinda on the north side of Oconee; any south side ramps are a lot farther, like Long Shoals and Old Salem. Guess I'll do the easiest ramp first, so it's probably PF. I've upgraded my Navionics+ card to include Oconee, and I'll be careful. I never gad about anywhere I go, I take it easy until I know the place better.

I was up near Watkinsville today visiting a friend and when we drove over the Oconee river north of the lake, it looked high, fast, and muddy to me - aren't they all right now?

Yes they are

I have been fishing Oconee for 30 years now. Swords is unfishable right now and if you have never been up there you probably don't want to make that your first trip to Oconee.JMO

I decided to wait since I haven't been before, and I need to mount a transducer on my transom for when I'm not using the trolling motor at the console. Plus still dealing with wife's furniture, taking the OLD stuff to good will today. Thinking of Thursday down south below 44, Long Branch or Fish Tale. What say ye about there?