Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – August 2018

Chatuge: Level: Full pool. Temp: 85 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The fishing has been tough with all the rain and storms that we’ve been getting. There is a little topwater action first thing in the mornings. I’ve been getting some blow-ups on the 90 series Whooper Plooper and a Strike King KVD Splash. I’m also throwing a Strike King 2.75-inch Rage Swimmer on a 3/16- to 1/4-oz. head on breaking fish. I’ve been fishing super slow just like if I was fishing in the winter and the water temp was cold. Drop down in line sizes and baits. I’m throwing a shaky head on 7-lb. Gamma Touch. On my drop-shot rig, I am using 5-lb. Gamma Touch using a 4- and 6-inch Roboworm. I am throwing both these baits around points, ditches and docks. I will also try a fluke-style bait in white or albino around brush and docks. Another dock bait is a Strike King 5-inch Ocho rigged with a 1/16-oz. weight in the head. When there is wind at night, throw a black spinnerbait. Other night baits include a DD22, a Texas-rigged 5-inch finesse worm and a 10-inch worm for a chance at a big largemouth. Good luck.”

Stripers: Guide Jeremy Seabolt reports, “Man, has this been the best year I have seen in a long time. The hybrid and spots have been schooled up and eating. We have had a lot 40-fish days in just a few hours of fishing. We have been catching the hybrids on downlined bluebacks 20 to 40 feet deep. Most fish are stacked up on long, deep points, and fishing should only get better going into August. There is a good u-rig and lead-core bite going on mid morning.”