Lake Nottely Fishing Report – September 2008

Nottely: Level: 9.5 feet below full pool. Temp: Low 80s. Clarity: Clear.

Bass: Slow. Pot-tournament catches in August have been light — in the 7-lb. range. On a windy day, Nathan Lewis recommended a shallow-running crankbait or a spinnerbait, but the most productive fishing has been bumping a Texas-rigged green-pumpkin or cherryseed finesse worm in brushpiles in the 12- to 15-foot range.

Stripers: Excellent, according to Nottely guide Jeremy Seabolt. “It has been the best August I have ever seen — off the charts,” he said. Jeremy said the fish have been schooled up good from Point 2 to Point 7, although he has been spending most of his time between Point 2 and Point 3. He is fishing live bluebacks 20 to 40 feet deep over 80 to 90 feet of water off rocky points and banks. “One day you catch nothing but stripers, the next day it’s nothing but hybrids,” he said. “There’s also a good evening bite in front of the dam on umbrella rigs,” he said. “We have been catching 10 to 15 fish per evening.” The topwater bite has been limited but should pick up. “When the water temperature drops to about 76 degrees, the topwater bite ought to be awesome.”