Carters Lake Fishing Report – July 2019

Carters: Level: Full pool. Temp:80-84  degrees. Clarity:5 to 7 feet.

Bass: Guide Bill Payne reports, “I think the spotted bass actually started summer a little early because we’ve been catching them in their summer haunts for a few weeks now. I’ve been keying on the deeper break lines in the 18- to 35-foot range. Of course, it’s much better if you locate those areas that have cover in that key depth range. Picasso Rhino heads with Zoom Trick Worms can work very well day or night. Also, in the daytime, topwater walking baits worked over brush and pallet piles offshore can get a few strikes, but if that fails, try the underspin or the Picasso Suijin slow-rolled over the same areas. As always, stay on the lookout for surfacing fish, and get a bait on them quickly for instant action. If you favor the nighttime for your summer fishing, Carters can produce some good catches. Shaky heads, Texas-rigged worms, jigs and big spinnerbaits are the must-have baits at night on Carters. Also, just before dark to 30 minutes after dark, you may get a bonus fish or two on topwater baits around the banks, as well. Be careful out there, especially after dark.”

Linesides: Capt. Eric Crowley reports, “Well, it’s summertime, and it’s hot outside. The lake is busy, and the best thing to do is start early. Really early the predawn striper bite is shaping up really good. Fishing under the Hydro Glow lights has been the ticket. The fish are a lot less timid in the dark. Live baits fished under the lights is our go-to for summertime. Long leaders, small hooks and downsizing sinkers to a minimum will all increase the number of bites you’re getting. Last week, we had to drop from 15- to 10-lb. test, and it made all the difference in the number of fish we were catching. There are a few good schools of hybrids in every creek arm right now working bait on banks. Finding them is key to a good daytime bite with live bait. I like pulling four or five baits staggered from 20 to 40 feet and working the area thoroughly. After the sun is up high, we have been switching over and pulling u-rigs and jigs in open water near bends and points. Covering the entire water column from 15 feet down to 40 or 50 feet and keeping the boat in gear will put fish in the boat. We’ve had the best luck on Capt. Mack’s Umbrella Rigs and 2-oz. Chipmunk Jigs with chartreuse trailers. Between 2.5 to 3 mph seems to be the preferred speed. My best advice when fishing like this is to have a plan on what area you want to fish and follow it. Covering water is key to this technique. Worley Creek and Beach Creek have been hot in the last weeks.”

Walleye: Capt. Eric Crowley reports, “Walleye fishing has been hit or miss this year. Some mornings they move up and feed, and some days they don’t. Consistency is key. If you want to catch walleye, you need to be fishing for them a few days a week to figure out the timing. After you find them and figure out when they feed, you can catch them pretty easily, but miss a few days, and it’s like starting over.”