Carters Lake Fishing Report – December 2010

Carters: Level: Full pool. Temp: Low 60s. Clarity: Clear to slight stain.

Bass: Good. Guide Louie Bartenfield reports, “Numbers on my trips are averaging 15 to 25 spots and some days a handful of hybrids, stripers and whites. I’m fishing 15 to 40 feet deep around ditches and creek mouths. Points will produce a few fish early on jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and Scroungers, but after the early bite I’m moving to drop shots, Fish Heads Spins, worms and occasionally a big spoon like a Flutter Spoon. The hybrids, stripers and whites will whack the Flutter Spoon. If you run across ’em, back off and cast it into the school, it will not hit bottom, I promise. Look for water temps to reach the mid to upper 50s soon. When this happens, the spots will be making a move into ditches and flats close to coves and pockets back in the creeks. Drop shots, spoons, shaky-head worms, and Carolina rigs are your best bet for numbers. The early bite will be fantastic throughout the month of December. In the past, flat-sided crankbaits and jerkbaits have worked best early morning throughout December. Early morning, target the deeper rocky points back in the creeks with flat-sided crankbaits and jerkbaits. Keep your eyes on your electronics, and look for shad back in the creeks. When you find the shad, the bass are not far behind. This is the time of year when a side-imaging unit really helps. Bait balls stand out great on side imaging. December is a possibly the best month of the year to catch a 6-lb. plus spot on Carters.”