Carters Lake Fishing Report April 2013

Carters: Level: Full pool. Temp: 60-64 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. Guide Louie Bartenfield reports, “The bite is good. More and more fish continue to move shallow by the hour. Spotsticker hand-tied jigs and jig heads tipped with Big Bite soft plastics are producing good numbers and quality fish in the river and lake. I’m focusing on the back ends of creeks and having luck fishing these baits in 10 to 25 feet of water throughout the day. Jerkbaits and small topwaters like Pop-Rs and 1/4-oz. buzzbaits will be factors in the month of April as well. As we continue our move into and throughout the month of April, look for a fluke bite to come on strong as well. It’s well known here among the local fisherman and is a very fun bite when it’s on. There will be a very strong morning bite for the first hour to 90 minutes with a variety of baits thanks in large part to the shad/herring spawn. Look for windy shoreline or points, and focus on these areas early.”

Striper: Guide Eric Crowley reports, “The lingering cold weather has kept the lake a little chilly compared to the last couple years, but no doubt spring is here now. Spawning bait, schools of fish, warm weather and no jet skis… does it get any better? The fish are moving up to start prespawn feeding, and this month remember two things: shallow and shiny. Whether you’re pulling live baits or throwing artificials, target areas around rocky shorelines as well as areas getting sunlight early. White baits such as threadfin or herring are going to get more attention than the darker-colored gizzard shad, so go with your flukes or jerkbaits. Areas to check out this month will be Fisher Creek, Woodring Branch and Worley Creek. Look for the stripers and hybrids to start schooling in the mouths of these creek arms. Start early, and use your electronics to key on fish depth, and target them just above their heads. This fish will swim way up to grab a bait but won’t hardly swim down to do so. Enjoy the spring weather.” Guide Louie Bartenfield reports, “The striper bite will improve vastly in the month of April. It may very well be the best all around month of striper fishing at Carters Lake. Lots of fish will run up river for the false spawn, and lots of fish will gather in the lower end of the lake near the dam to take advantage of consistent water flow and pump back from the generation schedule. But most importantly, they will be gorging themselves with spawning shad/herring. It’s a great month for all techniques, from freelining to downlining, to planer boarding. Just get good bait, and have fun. This is by far the easiest time to catch a big striper of the year. May isn’t bad either, so you have plenty of time. Get your kids, take them fishing somewhere, and take advantage of spring.”