Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Report – September 2010

Blue Ridge: Level: 31 feet below full pool. Temp: 84-88 degrees. Clarity: Varies with the extremely low lake level. “There are no open ramps on Blue Ridge,” said Eric Welch, of Reel Job Fishing. “The only place you can put in is at Morganton Point, where you’ll need a 4×4. And then be prepared to back your vehicle out in the water until it’s at the bottom of your doors. The low-water ramp at Blue Ridge Marina will open in 35 days when the lake hits 60 feet below full pool, and then it will be at the concrete ramp, and TVA will gravel the road. When the lake level gets down and stable, there is going to be some awesome smallmouth fishing. Let’s just remember it takes catch and release to keep it a great fishery.”

Bass: Slow. Eric reports, “The lake is dropping fast, and the bass are scattered. There’s a little topwater action throughout the day. Throw a Pop-R or a Fluke Jr. on breaking fish. Also throw a green-pumpkin tube on any rock or long points. If there’s good wind, throw a War Eagle spinnerbait in spot-remover color, and also a Norman DLN crankbait in rootbeer. If you can find any brush, throw a drop shot or Texas rig.” Eric Crowley reports, “Largemouths that would normally be under docks have no docks to hide under, so look for any shade available or any bit of cover, and they’ll be close by. Watch for the shady areas in pockets or on the back sides of points with tall trees. Large black worms Carolina rigged and jigs with large trailers in darker shades of red will draw out these Blue Ridge largemouths.” Bob Borgwat reports, “Watch for the emerging stump fields that are now just 10 feet below the surface. Largemouths will take up positions on the stumps where crankbaits and spinnerbaits will take individual fish up to 5 pounds.”

Smallmouths: Fair to good. “The topwater bite is good early for smallies crashing bait,” Eric said. “Throw a Zara Spook, a white fluke or a Smack Tackle Gizz 3 or 4 at these fish, and they will destroy it. You can sit on the main-lake points and watch these fish come up. After the early bite slows, look for the fish to stay in the same area just a little deeper. Drop shots and deep-diving crankbaits have boated some nice fish in the last few weeks.” Bob reports, “The lowering water level likely will create a homogenous water column that will eventually produce a strong bite, especially off the main-river points above marker 5, for smallmouths that should run 2 pounds or better. Hard jerkbaits in shiner, bluegill and herring patterns locate fish that often bite better on both Carolina- and Texas-rigged plastic worms. Try ox-blood and brown-pumpkinseed colors in both 4-inch and 6-inch lengths.”

Spotted Bass: “The spots are relating to rockpiles,” Eric said. “Look for the schools of bait, and watch the sonar for fish holding close to the rocks. Drop shot with a small fluke or any white soft plastic, and move around the area looking for fish within 20 feet of the main high spots.”