Carters Lake Fishing Report April 2017

Carters: Level: 8 feet below full pool. Temp:. 53-57 degrees Clarity: Good visibility; 8 to 10 feet.

Spotted Bass: Guide Louie Bartenfield reports, “Fishing is improving. April is a great month to find fish moving shallow all over the lake and river. SpotSticker jig-head worms along with drop-shot worms work great fished slowly around flat, tapering banks and pockets. One often overlooked pattern is a fluke-style baitfish on a weighted hook. This is one of my favorite ways to catch fish this time of year. I fish 12-lb. Sunline braid and an 8- to 10-lb. fluorocarbon leader. I can make long casts, and I fish the fluke fairly quickly and just out of sight. My favorite fluke-style bait is a Strike King Caffeine Shad.”

Linesides: Guide Louie Bartenfield reports, “Lots of fish are being caught up the river and around Doll Mountain. Planer boards and flatlines have seemed to work best, although we have caught some casting Alabama Rigs. Try to get big, healthy bait, and 12-lb. fluorocarbon is usually the max I use. The lighter the line, the better to maximize your bites. Keep your eyes open for surfacing fish the later we get into April as more shad and herring will be spawning.”