REGIONAL FISHING REPORT

CARTERS — Striper fishing remains very and has brought fishing to a standstill, good, according to Buddy Callahan at Bart’s according to Eugene Lankford at Hiwassee Bait Shop. The water temperature is 51 Marine Bait and Tackle. There have been degrees, and the lake is somewhat stained some reports of fish being caught up on the up in the river channel. The lake level is up Ocoee river using green jigs.

considerably with the recent rainfal. More NICKAJACK — The rain is keeping most striper are being caught using trout in shal- angles off the lake, according to Chris lower water using planerboard and balloons, McNabb at Sullivan’s Grocery Fishing Supbut some are still being caught in deep water plies. The water temperature is in the upper as well. Bass fishing is good using jigs as 40s, and the lake level is very high right now. well, with 16 pounds winning last weekend’s There has been some success catching tournament. smallmouth bass using jigs below Nickajack CENTER HILL — Fishing is reported to be Dam on jigs, with a 4-pounder caught recentfair. Bass are being caught on crankbaits, ly. Not much success is being had bass spinnerbaits and jigging a spoon in schools fishing, but a few catfish are still being caught of shad. Crappie are being caught on min- using cutbait and nightcrawlers. Some bream nows and jigs. Trout are being taken in the can be caught sporadically on worms, and a tailwater area. The water temperature is 53 few striper are being caught below the dam degrees on the surface. on deep-running jigs.

GUNTERSVILLE — Fishing has been WEISS — Fishing has dropped off as the good recenly, according to Don Higdon at lake has gotten muddy, according to Jason Waterfront Grocery. The water temperature Tucker at JR’s Marina.The water temperature is about 46 degrees. Bass are biting very is 49 degrees and the lake level is up with the well on jerkbaits and spinnerbaits, and crap- recent rainfall. At a recent bass tournament, pie are being caught farly well on finesse 18 pounds won the event, with five pounds shad. Sauger are starting to be caught using being good enough for second. What bass chartreuse jigs.The catfish bite has dropped are being caught are hitting shallow-running off in recent weeks. crank baits. Some catfish can be caught HIWASSEE — Water is muddy on the lake using cutbait.