Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report October 2011

Blue Ridge: Level: 11.1 feet below full pool; all ramps are open. Temp: 74 degrees. Clarity: Clear; 7-8 feet of visibility.

Bass: Good. Eric Welch, of Reel Job Fishing, reports, “Topwater is on at daylight. We’re catching fish on Sammys, Zara Spooks and Zoom Flukes on the main body of the lake. I would also keep a jerkbait tied on to throw on the breaking fish and also on main-lake points. We are also catching a lot of spots on drop shots. All you need to do is watch your electronics, and you will see suspending baitfish around 10 to 25 feet. Drop down on them with a Roboworm or a Yum Shad.” Eric Crowley, of Lake and Stream Guide Service, said they’ve been boating good numbers of fish. “Smallmouth seem to be schooling up early and chasing small schools of shad and herring. Look for them down by the dam and surrounding coves just at dawn. The bait they are chasing is small, about 2 inches long at best, so try flukes or small Zara Spooks in white or silver. Don’t work them too fast, as the fish are staying with the bait pods and won’t go far,” Eric said. “As the day goes on, we have been moving up to the Point Five area and searching with the sonar to find fish between 12 and 25 feet. There are lots of spotted bass in this area, and they seem to be holding tight to underwater structure after the sun comes up. Flukes fished on top or drop shots seem to get the attention of these fish. For deeper fish, try a Scrounger with a silver fluke.”

Walleye: Good. Eric Crowley reports, “Look for the walleye bite to pick up this month as the fish come up from deep water to feed on the shallow bait. Crankbaits, X-Raps and Scroungers will all work this month for walleye. Just at dawn or on full moon nights should be key times.”