Lake Blue Ridge Fishing Reports – September 2021

Blue Ridge: Level: 6.4 feet over 1681. Temp: 83 degrees. Clarity: 12 feet.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The bite has been fair. Once we get past Labor Day weekend, everything should start getting back to normal. TVA will start lowering the lake for winter pool, and hopefully we will start seeing cooler weather. This means we should start seeing more breaking fish. I will normal stay with the same pattern I fished in August by starting the first hour in the morning throwing a Whopper Plopper, Strike King Sexy Dawg Jr. and a Pop-R. Once the sun gets up, it’s time to start looking for offshore humps with deep drops or brush. I’m targeting these fish with a drop shot, using a 4.5-inch Roboworm or some type of minnow-looking bait. My next choice is a Ned rig with a TRD worm. I’m using St. Croix spinning rods, 7-foot, medium light and medium, spooled with Sunline Sigun 12-lb. yellow braid with Gamma Touch fluorocarbon 7-lb. leader. I will fish laydowns and deep brush with a shaky head, Texas rig or a wacky-style worm.”

Walleye: Capt. Eric Crowley reports, “It’s hot, sunny and there is lots of boat traffic on the lake this year, and that has the fish scattered. Little pockets of fish here and there seems to be consistent with all species. The walleye have been caught from Tilly Bend to the dam. There are fish in 25, 35, 55 and 70 feet of water. Most are holding pretty tight to the bottom on rocky points or on the bends in the river near bait balls. There’s also been some fish caught on grassbeds early and late in the day. Crankbaits are still the go-to. Overcast, low-light, rainy days are still best. If it is going to be a pretty day, you better fish early or at night. We had a few really nice fish this past month in the 24- to 25-inch class and heard reports of a few fish larger.”