Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report August 2013

Blue Ridge: Level: 4.5 feet below full pool. Temp: 82-84 degrees. Clarity: Clear; 6 feet visibility.

Bass: Good. Guide Eric Welch reports, “We’re catching fish on a drop shot using 4.5 Roboworms and Zoom Trick Worms on shaky heads. Also keep a Zoom Fluke tied on for breaking fish and to throw around docks and laydowns. The fish are still scattered, and most of our catches are on main-lake points and around any laydowns or brush. For the smallmouth, I’ve been fishing Bass Pro 3.5 Tender Tubes and Strike King Bisty Jigs on rocky points and river-channel ledges. This month I recommend downsizing to 5-lb. and 6-lb. fluorocarbon line. Also keep an eye on your electronics for fish in the 20- to 35-foot range. This lake is in full hot-summer pattern. Look for the fish up shallow in early mornings. The smallies are busting bait near Point 2 and 3 until about 8 a.m. Then they are moving out to deeper water. The fish attractor near Point 2 has been good for drop-shot rigs or live bait. The bite for white bass has picked up good in the afternoons near Morganton Point. Trolling or casting jerkbaits or spinnerbaits have been the top producers. If you are looking for largemouth, hit the docks. Flukes, crayfish imitations or Trick Worms seem to be the way to go.”

Walleye: Slow. “The walleye have moved deep and are getting hard to come by. Try fishing at night by the dam with live bait on the bottom. The brighter the moon the better,” Eric said.