Lake Burton Fishing Report – April 2008

Burton: Level: Full pool. Temp: Mid 50s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Good, according to Daniel Workman. “You can’t go wrong on any of the mountain lakes with a crankbait, spinnerbait and jerkbait,” said Daniel, who said the next six weeks or so will offer some of the best bass fishing of the year. A jerkbait is a great choice on main-lake points. “Let it sit a long time — 30 seconds before you snatch it again. They will follow the bait back to the boat, but if you make long pauses they will sometimes knock the rod out of your hand. Rattlin’ Rogues or Lucky Craft Pointers — the bigger 100 model, not the 78 — work well. A Shad Rap in either No. 5 or No. 7 is likely the most popular crankbait on the mountain lakes, including Burton, said Daniel. “The fish are active now, and they will run down a crankbait. If you are throwing a Shad Rap, hit the secondary points going back in the creeks. Just cast it out, and bring it back with a slow retrieve. When you get all the way back, go straight to the back and throw the lure right down the throat of the creek. You’ll catch the hound out of them.” Try black back, silver sides and red on the throat. Gold-sided plugs are also effective. “A Shad Rap in blueback-herring color is a fish-catching crankbait on Burton,” he said. Senkos and Trick Worms around docks and wood shoreline cover will also work well in April. Watermelon, watermelon candy and green pumpkin are good color choices. A spinnerbait is a standard choice, too. Slow roll it on main-lake points for spots, or use a smaller, flashier blade around wood cover back in the creeks for largemouths.

Brown Trout: “Trout will be more actively feeding on blueback herring in April,” said WRD Fisheries Biologist Anthony Rabern. “Look for trout in the backs of coves and around rocky shorelines where bluebacks are congregating. In the past, I’ve had success trolling a crayfish pattern Shad Rap, but live bait is preferred.”