Bartletts Ferry Fishing Report – December 2009

Bartletts Ferry: Level: 0.8 feet above full pool. Temp: High 50s. Clarity: Good stain.

Bass: Good. During the low water of the last few weeks, Dennis Hudson said the fish were really feeding up in falling water temperatures. It was taking 15 to 20 pounds to win his weekly pot tournaments, which is very good. Now that the lake is back up above full pool, Dennis said the fish are a little confused, but when they are moving water through the dam, the bite is good for schoolie spots with a few largemouths mixed in. With a good current, Dennis said the fish have been — and will continue — hitting crankbaits on main-river points. He said the fish are right up on the banks out to about 3 or 4 feet. Any of the small, shallow-running, shad-pattern crankbaits should work well. Also, a Rat-L-Trap is picking up fish in the same areas. A 1/2-oz. Trap in chrome/orange has been the ticket. If the water levels and temperature settles down some, a jig bite should come into play this month. Dennis said to concentrate on rock banks with laydowns or wood structure in the backs of the coves. A 1/2-oz. Rattlin Booza Bug is a good choice. Dennis likes black/red in stained water and green pumpkin in clearer water, and he’ll trailer it with either a Zoom Big Chunk or a twin-tail grub.