Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – October 2008

Chatuge: Level: 6 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 70s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: “This time of year, usually the cooler water temperature gets the surface activity going,” said John Hembree. “Sometimes you will see them breaking out in the middle of the lake, and other times you can call them up with a big topwater lure.” John likes the bigger Sammy, the 120 size or the Super Spook when he is trying to call up fish. “You want something big enough to make a commotion,” he said. “Sometimes the spots will suspend, but you can call them up. Last year we would get into an area where we were marking fish and bait and fancast with a big topwater lure, and we caught some big spots. It won’t work everywhere, though, you have to find the fish.” When the topwater plays out, John said to try finesse worms on brushpiles. If it’s a sunny day, work deeper brush — in the 25-foot range. On a cloudy day the fish will hold a little shallower. October is usually when the largemouth bite picks up on Chatuge, said John. “The largemouths will move up in the afternoon to any treetop or brush along the bank. We usually fish the treetops or other cover with a spinnerbait. If they won’t chase down a spinnerbait, you can try a jig ’n pig around brush or around boat docks.”