Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – August 2017

Chatuge: Level: 0.3 feet below full pool. Temp: Mid 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The Chatuge bass fishing has been fair. The topwater bite has still been scattered. They have just not been pushing the bait around like they did this time last year. I’m still casting a Strike King Sexy Dawg Jr. and a Zoom weighted Fluke Jr. due to the size of the bait the bass are feeding on. Most of the breaking action has been in mouths of creeks and backs of pockets. Once the sun gets up, the bass are going deep. Fish way off the long main-lake points in 25 to 40 feet with a drop shot or Texas rig. You are going to mark a lot of fish on your electronics, but getting them to bite has been the real trick. There has been some better fish being caught around deep docks with a shaky head and a jig. If you get a good windy day, throw a spinnerbait around laydowns, and Texas rig deep rocky banks.”

Hybrids: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service reports, “Summer fishing on Lake Chatuge really gets fired up. With warmer water temps, the hybrids will school up in huge numbers, which means we are able to load the boat with trophy hybrids. Hybrid fishing is off the hook! These fish are schooling in large numbers, and we are catching some big quantities. Most of our hybrids are averaging 8 to 12 pounds. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. The early morning bite has been prime. Look for schools of fish off shallow humps along the main channel, clay banks and off points. Downlining live blueback herring has been the best technique. Search out your areas, and watch your electronics. When you mark fish, drop your lines. Fish will be slightly shallower in the early morning hours and will move to deeper water by mid-morning. The topwater bite remains very good, as well. When these fish start busting on bait, it’s always a good idea to have a plug, Spook or Red Fin at the ready.”