Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – December 2009

Chatuge: Level: 4.4 feet below full pool. Temp: 55-60 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Poor. Charlie Baldwin said recent rains have fluctuated the water levels, and the bass fishing has been pretty dead. He also thinks the lake may have turned over a couple of weeks ago, and the fish have not yet settled back into their regular patterns. If the lake settles down some, it should go right back to producing with its typical winter fishing. Charlie said the shad will be out on the main-lake points in 25 to 30 feet of water, and the bass will be with them. Fish a drop-shot rig with a green-pumpkin finesse worm over the points and whatever brush you can find there. A spoon will work for this bite, also. Charlie likes a 1/2-oz. Flex-it because it gets down fast, and he’ll fish either a chrome or white one. Also, a small bucktail jig will draw strikes.