Lake Chatuge Fishing Report June 2017

Chatuge: Level: 1 foot below full pool. Temp: 68-71 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The lake is at full pool, and the fish are stacked off points and deep banks. If you know how to use your electronics, you’re going to see a lot of fish in the depth range of 12 to 35 feet. We’ve been targeting these fish with drop shots, shaky heads, jigs and Strike King Sexy Spoons. There has also been some breaking fish in the mornings. I’m throwing Strike King Sexy Dawgs and Zara Spooks off points and around flats where they push the herring in. There is also some fish around brush and laydowns. Target them with swimbaits, jigs and flukes. The deep docks I’m targeting with a shaky head and a drop shot, and I’m fishing them fast to cover more. Keep your topwater handy for breaking fish throughout the day. They come up fast and leave fast.”

Hybrids: Big Ol’ Fish Guiding Service reports, “The most exciting trips of the year begin in June. With warmer water temps, the hybrids and spotted bass really school up, which means we are able to load the boat with tons of trophy hybrid, spotted and largemouth bass. Currently, hybrid fishing is excellent as the fish are starting to school in large numbers, and we are catching some good quantities. Most of our hybrids are averaging in the 8- to 12-lb. range. These are some of Lake Chatuge’s hardest-fighting fish, and we’re having a blast wearing them out. It’s not uncommon for us to catch 15 to 20 of them in one spot. The early morning and late afternoon bites have been prime. Look for schools of fish off shallow humps along the main channel, in the mouths of coves and off points. Mid-lake, from Bell Creek to the upper end of the lake, has been producing the majority of the high-quality fish. 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 Spook or Red Fin at the ready. Toward the middle of the month, the hybrids will start working their way to slightly deeper water, usually in the 25- to 35-foot range. Continue to use the same downline techniques.”