I did about 20 yrs.ago.I had the gold fever too.I had a lots of fun doing it.I never did find anything of real value though.I read somewhere that the gold band in Georgia had been turned over twice since gold was discovered.That is hard to believe but could be true.I had a backpackers dredge that worked really good for what it was designed for.I really think you might find something if you lived in the area as you do and had a good place to go.It is hard for me to believe that all the gold in the gold band is gone.Good luck with your panning.I think you would do many times better with a dredge though.
I did find enough to make a small nugget.I put it in a teaspoon to melt into a nugget.When it melted,it went into the spoon and all I had for many trips and a lots of work was a "gold plated spoon".I guess all I can say is "live and learn".