Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – August 2021

Chatuge: Level: Full pool. Temp: 81-84 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports: “Lake Chatuge has been fishing good. We’ve only been out early in the mornings fishing the first four to six hours and getting off the lake before it gets hot. There has been some topwater action going on, some fish breaking out in open water, and we’ve also caught some around laydowns using a Strike King Sexy Dawg, Zara Spook and a Whopper Plopper. I keep a topwater handy because you never know when there’s going to be some bass blowing up on herring. I’ve been running a lot of offshore humps, points and deep brush. I’ve mostly been catching my fish on the Z-man Ned rig with a TRD worm and a drop-shot with a RoboWorm and 3-inch minnow pattern baits. I’ve been catching most of my fish using my Garmin LiveScope, not just to locate them but also catching groups of suspending fish. I know a lot of people think they have been using their 2D sonar by turning the sensitivity up and watching their line and lure as it drops down to the group of fish. However, with these new forward views, you can see out 50 to 80 feet. The farther you look out, it’s not as clear, but you can still mark fish that 2D will not see until you’re on your fish. I’m also mixing in some 3-inch swimbaits, spoons and a shaky head. If I have a good, windy day, I will throw a spinnerbait some. Good luck.”