Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – March 2009

Chatuge: Level: 8.2 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 40s. Clarity: Slight stain.

Bass: Fair. In late February, John Hembry was still waiting on some warmer nights to pull the fish up. He said the best bite is still for big spotted bass on wind-blown, main-lake points in 15 to 25 feet of water. When the fish are a little more active after a string of warmer days, John said a jerkbait on these points is the ticket. He likes a Lucky Craft Pointer, a suspending Rattlin’ Rogue or a jig-head fluke for this bite. A blueback imitation, with some silver and blue is the best color. With the fluke, John goes with one in pearl threaded on a 1/8-oz. jig head. A big crankbait will also work on the points, something like a No. 9 to 11 chrome/blue Shad Rap. If the fish aren’t as active, try dragging a Zoom Finesse Worm or a Roboworm on a 1/4-oz. jig head through any brush you can find in 15-20 feet of water. Watermelon seed or pumpkinseed are the best colors. Largemouths can be caught late in the afternoons, when the water temps hit the high 40s. John said they’ll move up the main river to feed around wood cover. A spinnerbait, big crankbait or jig should get bit.