Carters Lake Fishing Report December 2011

Carters: Level: 2.6 feet below full pool. Temp: 58 to 61 degrees. Clarity: Clear; 6 feet visibility.

Bass: Very good. Louie Bartenfield reports, “Jigs, Spot Stickers and drop shots tipped with Big Bite Shaking Squirrel worms have been producing good numbers on the upper end of the river fished 15 to 30 feet deep around shoreline cover. Our better fish have been coming using jerkbaits and crankbaits, mostly Spro McSticks in spooky shad weighted a bit to get deeper. Fish the jerkbait really slowly around wood to increase your chances of boating a big spot. December will be a great month to fish Carters. The float-n-fly will be a great way to catch numbers. A Red Rooster Carters Special fly has been the best producer over the years for me. Fluorocarbon leaders of 4- to 6-lb. test and 8 to 12 feet in length will work best in December. Target channel swings in the river, and you’ll catch fish with the float-n-fly. Fish Head Spins, jerkbaits and jigs will be the best producers for the trophy spots. December is maybe the best month to fish Carters, so let’s get after ’em!”

Linesides: Good. Eric Crowley, with Lake and Stream Guide Service, reports, “The stripers are setting up on a nice early winter pattern with the bigger fish up shallow in the morning and evening, and the smaller fish are still a lot deeper most of the day. Gizzard shad on flatlines are going to be your best bet. If you can’t or don’t want to catch bait, trout are your second choice. Fished the same way or under a balloon will get the attention of these fish. Target water from 5 to 25 feet deep from points all the way to the backs of creeks. On sunny, low-wind days, target any submerged timber or areas where you see active bait. As the temps drop, look for the big spots to move up shallow on sunny days. Spotted bass love those trout as well.”

Walleye: Eric reports, “There should be a pretty good walleye bite on the next full moon. Look for the eyes to come up shallow on flats and shallow points. Crankbaits and medium-size swimbaits fished slow over these points will get bit.”