Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – May 2007

Chatuge: Level: 5.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 62-65 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: John Hembree fished a mid April tournament and finished third with 15.73 pounds. First had 20 pounds; second 19 pounds. John said he caught 17 keepers, mostly spots, with one 4 1/4-lb. largemouth. He was fishing main-lake places and primarily throwing a pearl fluke either on a 1/4-oz. jig head or unweighted. “I was fishing points and banks with the wind blowing in on them,” said John. If there was a drop-off, too, that was even better. John said other anglers were catching fish on spinnerbaits and small crankbaits. By May, the water temperatures should be up, and John expects the fish to move back up on the banks. The largemouths should be shallow enough to provide some sight fishing; the spots will be a little deeper, but back in the pockets instead of on the main-lake structure. A fluke, spinnerbait or small crankbait like a Shad Rap, should all catch fish in May, he said.