Carters Lake Fishing Report – February 2008

Carters: Level: 19.3 feet below full pool. All ramps are still closed. Some anglers are hauling small jonboats and kayaks down to the lake. The level is at 1052.7. The corps says they need the lake to hold steady at 1055 for ramps to re-open. Plans are to extend ramps at Woodring, Damsite and Doll Mountain. This could re-open those ramps before it reaches a steady 1055. Temp: 45 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Excellent. Buddy Callahan at Bart’s Bait & Tackle said the guys dragging kayaks are catching the bass. “Some of them are catching 30 and 40 in a day,” said Buddy. “Every point has fish on it right now. Look on breaks and ledges, and the fish have been biting in 25 to 30 feet of water.” Green-pumpkin Texas rigs are working. Also, try the new Zoom Fluke Tail Goby on a drop-shot rig. Although most kayak anglers may not be proficient at jigging a spoon, Buddy suspects a very strong jigging-spoon bite can be found.

Stripers: “One guy in a kayak had five fish, including a 23-pounder the other day,” said Buddy. Look around the mouths of the creeks from Doll Mountain to Wurley Creek. The stripers are suspended over deep water as they relate to balls of shad. Most fish are being caught on downlines 20 feet deep, but planer boards should be catching fish, too.