Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – September 2008

Chatuge: Level: 5.2 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. Brothers John and Jerry Hembree won a mid-August night pot tournament with 10 1/2 pounds. “We caught a couple of 2-pounders right off when we found a school of breaking fish,” said John. He caught one on a Sammy; Jerry caught one on a popper-type plug. “Our better fish came from brushpiles 15 to 30 feet deep,” said John. “Our biggest fish, a 3.7-lb. spot, came from brush about 30 feet deep.” John fishes finesse worms Texas rigged in brush. “When you get in brush, hang the worm over a limb and just yo-yo it. If there is a fish around, they will usually take it.” The best bite seemed to be right before dark, he said. John expects the bite to move shallower as the water temp drops and the fish pull up into shoreline brush and treetops.