Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – May 2010

Blue Ridge: Level: 1.9 feet below full pool. Temp: 63 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good. Eric Welch with Reel Job Fishing reports, “A lot of the big smallmouths are on bed. Most of our catches have been buck bass; same with the spotted bass. You can catch a lot of fish in the 2- to 2 1/2-lb. range by throwing drop shots, Texas rigs, shaky heads and tubes in any green color. Try points, deep rocky banks and brush, and if the wind picks up, go to a white spinnerbait. Some of the largemouths have spawned, but the pockets are full of largemouths that have not spawned yet. I’m thinking the bass are going to lock down on this upcoming full moon. When the fish get done spawning, get ready for a great fluke bite.” Eric Crowley reports, “Smallies and spots are up shallow in 3 to 15 feet of water cruising the shorelines. Try a Gulp Minnow or a small fluke in pearl or silver with a small weight to get it just below the surface. If they are more active and chasing bait, drop the weight and fish it on top with lots of twitching and less reeling. As the day goes on, look for these fish to go for cover. Most of the cover is holding fish by noon. Bushes, trees even big rockpiles are holding fish in less then 10 feet of water. Fish the entire lake — don’t just fish the river or the lower end, but spend some time just beating the banks. Some nice largemouths have been pulled out of the timber on the lower end of the lake. Any standing or fallen trees will more than likely have a largemouth on it. Fish in the 4- to 5-lb. range were caught last week along the shore from Point 2 back to the dam.”

Walleye: Good. Eric Welch said, “We’re catching them on main-lake points and step-rock banks on tubes, twisters and Shad Raps. This upcoming full moon should be some good walleye night fishing with crankbaits.” Eric Crowley said, “Walleye are pulling up on points after spawning last month and can be caught with just about anything ticking off the bottom. Try a crankbait worked real slow or a soft swimbait bounced off the bottom.”