Lake Weiss Fishing Report September 2014

Weiss: Level: 0.2 feet below full pool. Temp: 84-86 degrees. Clarity: Clear to lightly stained.

Bass: Guide Mike Carter reports, “The fishing has been slow, but the fish that have been caught have been some very good quality. This is common this time of year because of most of the more productive patterns come from focusing on the deeper ledges on the lake, and with staying on these ledges the chances of a quality bite are a lot higher. The shallow bite has slowed. The most productive pattern for shallow areas has been fishing Spooks and XCalibur Zell-Pops along deeper seawalls at first light. After an hour or two, move out to the ledges. The ledge bite has produced well with the main baits being 1/2- to 3/4-oz. football jigs by Choo Choo Lures in kudzu and oh-baby colors. The other pattern for ledges is using football-head, shaky-head jigs with 10-inch worms in watermelon red and watermelon candy. The docks on this lake will always be a productive pattern at any time of year, but with this being the hottest time of year, slowing down and using a smaller presentation like small shaky-head worms can be your best bet.” Guide Mark Collins reports, “Bass are being caught on brush 8 feet deep or more, under deeper docks and on the creek and river channel ledges. Jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Carolina-rigged plastics are producing, but tournament weights have really dropped.”

Crappie: Fair. “They have moved back to deeper water. Spider rigging with live minnows on the creek and river channel ledges and deep brush in the flats is the way to catch these summer crappie. Shooting docks is producing a few crappie, also.”

Catfish: Good. This is the best Weiss bite now. “Catfish are biting good in the deeper flats of the lake on cut bait,” Mark said.