Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – April 2021

Blue Ridge: Level: 1 foot below full pool. Temp: 55-57 degrees. Clarity: Stained.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “Fishing has been tough. We got a lot of rain the past couple weeks, and the lake has almost hit full pool in 10 days. That makes for some tough fishing when the lake comes up that fast and when the bass were moving up to start spawning. Hopefully the lakes will stable out in a couple of weeks and the fishing can get back to normal. Before all the rain there was some breaking and fish chasing bait around the lake. This time of year I like throwing a Whopper Plopper and a Drift Walker. The spotted bass will be spawning on rocky pebble points and sloping back lines, areas like Morganton Point and Star Creek, looking at depths 8 to 19 feet. I like to target these areas with a green-pumpkin jig, a 3.5-inch tube and creature baits. These fish are not looking to eat. They are just moving the bait away from their spawning areas. The largemouth bass will be moving into pockets and the backs of creeks once the water temps hits 60 to the mid 60s. I like throwing glide baits, swimbaits and flukes for these cruising fish. Now once they lock down on bed, you can catch them on a 3.5-inch tube, jig or a plastic crawfish bait. I’m normally always throwing Strike King or Z-Man plastics. Just remember this is the time of year that if you don’t have to put these spawning fish in the livewell, take a quick picture and turn them back. They’re the future of our fisheries. There is still fish that can be caught on a shaky head or drop shot. Good luck.”