Carters Lake Fishing Report – April 2008

Carters: Level: 5.9 feet low. Temp: 56-60 degrees. Clarity: Heavy stain up the river. The cleanest area is from Wurley Creek south.

Bass: Good. The predominant pattern is a crankbait on shallow, main-lake points. “They are using shad-colored, deep-diving crankbaits and plowing them across the points,” said Buddy Callahan at Bart’s Bait & Tackle. “They are using a Mann’s 30+ or DD22 Norman’s and using a pull, jerk, stop retrieve. The prespawners have pulled up, and they are feeding. You can always pick off a bass with a worm, but for the bigger bass over 3 pounds try a crankbait.”

Linesides: Guide Robert Eidson said he talked with guide Mark Smithwick on Friday, March 21, and one of Mark’s clients caught a 35.56-lb. striper in the Wurley Creek area. Once GON receives the proper verification, it’ll be recognized as the new lake record. Robert said in April he stays down the lake, although some fish will be headed up river. “The flatline and planer-board bites will be getting real strong soon,” said Robert. He likes trout and gizzard shad for bait. His favorite spots at Carters will be the Wurley and Doll Mountain areas and any sandy beach or point in the main lake. “When the sun gets up, you’ll have to downline,” said Robert. The other day Robert was catching them on a deep flat 20 feet below the boat.