Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report October 2015

Blue Ridge: Level: 3.1 feet below full pool. Temp: 75-78 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The bite is picking up. There has been a little topwater bite first thing in the mornings and late in the afternoons. I’ve been catching them on a Zara Spook and a Pop-R. With TVA dropping the lake down and the water temp dropping, the fish are starting to get in their fall patterns. Look for long, rocky points and flats. I like to target these areas with a fluke and a Strike King 5XD crankbait. I like the bigger crankbait, so it stays in contact with the bottom longer. Also, look for brush and laydowns, and throw a drop shot and a shaky head. This time of year I like to try different colors, like redbug and bluegill. For targeting smallmouth, I’m throwing a tube and small Strike King Bitsy Bug jig, smoke or PB&J in color. Also, keep your eyes on your electronics for baitfish. This time of year when you find them, the bass are close by, too.” Guide Eric Crowley reports, “Well it has been a great month to catch spotted bass. We are still landing the occasional smallie but not nearly as many as last month. Look for this to change by the end of the month as the water temps start to drop and the TVA draws down the lake. As far as target areas and patterns, I am running and gunning on big structure, which includes roadbeds, rip-rap, big fallen trees, sunken boats, big points and underwater ditches near deep water. The fish are moving up and down on the structure as the daylight comes and goes. Some of our best days have been overcast days with no wind. Start looking in the 20-foot range, and adjust your presentation to what you’re seeing on your sonar. The night bite has been steady with a mixed bag of bass, walleye and catfish while fishing live bait. The area by the dam has been best for fishing in the dark. Look for the topwater bite to start up by the end of the month, and keep those Zara Spooks tied on.”