Lake Chatuge Fishing Report – September 2018

Chatuge: Level: 1.5 feet low. Temp: 83 degrees. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Guide Eric Welch reports, “The lake is starting to drop some, and the cooler nights have helped the water temps drop. The bass are still scattered, but we’ve started seeing some topwater action the first couple hours in the morning. The spotted bass have been mixed in with the hybrids and have been feeding in pockets on the main body. The baits I’m using are a 90 series Whooper Plooper and a Strike King Sexy Dawg. When the fish calm down from breaking and we are waiting on the schools of bait to regroup, try throwing a 4.5- to 5.5-inch Sexy Spoon and a Silver Buddy. I will start working points with access to deep water with a drop shot with a 4.5-inch Roboworm and a shaky head with a Strike King 6.5-inch finesse worm. There has also been some fish hanging around docks. Try a jig or a Strike King Ocho wacky-rigged with a nail weight in the head. If we start getting more cool weather, the topwater bite is just going to get better. Don’t forget that the 2018 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship tournament where the top-50 best pros will be battling it out is on Lake Chatuge from Sept. 20-23. Good luck.”