3/23/17 Bass Fishing Report: Lake Chatuge, Lake Glenville, Fontana Lake, Lake Burton

I personally believe SPRING HAS ARRIVED!!! Last weeks frigid temps appear to be the last ones on the extended forecast into April! We have totally been slacking on updated fishing reports as we have been super busy at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply with getting ready for our first spring! It's been more time in the shop and less time on the water. But let's dive into what is happening!

It is HARDCORE PRESPAWN!!! There are a ton of fish shallow and waves of fish moving shallower by the day! The daily temps are climbing and so are the water temperatures. We currently have a waning moon but when the moon begins to grow again at the beginning of April and the water warms to above 58* the spawn will be on! So whats happening now?

Lake Chatuge

Water Temp: 53-57

Clarity: 7ft

Water Level:-5

Pattern: The fish are feeding up heavy for the spawn and it's about to bust WIDE OPEN! Lots of fish, big fish, every fish! They are staging for the spawn. Getting in and around structure and cover before they move up to their beds! Anything shad looking covering water will play well! Spawning flats with visible structure and cover will be holding some fish! A pig and jig is always a good way to catch a big one this time of the year!

Lake Glenville

Water Temp: 48-52

Clarity: 9ft

Water Level:-3

Pattern: The fish are still running a lot of shad on points and pockets! Swimbaits and jerkbaits playing a good bit on bigger fish. A weedless craw style or jig style lure in wood will catch some studs at the same time a finesse worm style presentation will catch a few nice fish around docks.

Fontana Lake

Water Temp: 54-58

Clarity: 10ft

Water Level:-38

Pattern: Finesse jigs, drop shot and shakyhead will catch #'s of fish. Bluff walls and structure in the water will be holding a majority of bigger fish. Big largemouth are moving back to the flats in the backs of creeks to spawn and are getting on laydowns and cover. Jigs, floating worms and some swimbaits can catch the fish moving back.

Lake Burton

Water Temp: 53-57

Clarity: 8ft

Water Level:-3

Pattern: Docks are holding big fish while some big fish are still roaming and schooling. Big spots are packing herring back on flats and starting to move shallow as well. Swimbaits in a few different styles, jigs and jerkbaits catching some fish as well! Spinner baits playing well too! Look for Big bass in back water moving forward!

Frigid Freaks! Tips for Catching Bass in the Winter!

As I am typing this at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply the temperature outside is a whopping 14* and I can barely feel a small draft of could air squeezing through crack between the front doors... It's COLD!!! This time of the year can be intimidating, overwhelming and down right tough to fish! I thought it'd be great to highlight some of the best ways to catch some FREAK sized fish when the temps are FREAKY frigid!

1) Go Deep!

Deep water is one factor that can add to the intimidation of WINTER! Growing up beating the bank I learned to fish structure, cover, docks, blow downs and everything I could, never DEEP WATER. People would tell me, "the bass go into hibernation in the winter, that's why they don't eat." Although I'm trying to catch fish that are bear sized, the fish aren't bears so they don't hibernate, they migrate! They head to deep water where the FRIGID, FROZEN surface temperatures don't affect them. In the past 2 weeks I have consistently found a majority of the fish in DEEP WATER and I'm talking deeper that 40 with a majority being around 55ft-60ft.

2) Throw Simple!

When the fish are unbelievably deep and you're marking them with AMAZING Lowrance electronics, you can catch them with extremely simple techniques. Simple action, simple lures and simple presentations! A drop shot, hair jig, shaky head and ice jig/ jigging spoon.

3) Hunt!

If you're anything like me I love to catch GIANT fish. These fish are still active feeders in the winter! They live where you think they live and we love to throw BIG BAITS! Don't hesitate to hunt for these areas! IF you can mix a day filled with solid fish and #'s out deep and then combine it with a trophy fish you've had a DREAM DAY! Hunt for areas where local DNR does trout stocking in your lake, hunt for big rock and big cover! The FREAKS will EAT!

Come visit us a Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply! 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva NC 28779!

Western North Carolina Best Fishing Lake Rankings

We have so many lakes here in Western NC and most of them are extremely deep and extremely clear! Every lake provides anglers with different opportunities for different species. Some lakes are more diverse, some lakes have larger fish and some lakes have more fish! This is the where they stack up against one another!

#1) Lake Chatuge, Hayesville NC
Without question Lake Chatuge is one of the most diverse fisheries in Western NC! Filled with all kinds of baitfish species it makes for one of the healthiest predatory fish habitats! Filled with gizzard shad, threadfin shad and blueback herring, Lake Chatuge largemouth, spotted bass and hybrid stripers grow to trophy sizes!

#2) Lake Glenville, Cashiers NC
Lake Glenville is the highest lake in elevation east of the Mississippi River. It's cold deep water is a nice home for GIANT smallmouth and big largemouth! The blueback herring in the lake make for great forage for big walleye, brown trout, rainbow trout and the occasional spotted bass as well!

#3) Lake Apalachia, Hiwassee Dam NC
This little whole in the wall lake in Western NC is full of GIANT bass! Smallmouth and largemouth gorge on trout and blueback herring in Apalachia! This fishery has some tanks and they stock trout to help control the herring population. It's well worth the adventure!

#4) Lake Hiwassee, Murphy NC
Tucked in the very west corner of North Carolina is a lake filled with a ton of beautiful views, different fish species and GIANT FISH! Lake Hiwassee is thick with baitfish species! Threadfin shad, gizzard shad, blueback herring, trout, bream, perch and crawfish! There are giant stripers, largemouth, smallmouth, spottedbass and walleye in Lake Hiwassee! Definitely one of the best lakes in the region!

#5) Nantahala Lake, Nantahala NC
Way up through the back roads of the Nantahala National Forest is a beautiful mountain gem filled with all kinds of amazing fish! Nantahala has a big threadfin shap population that feeds the present predatory fish that include, kokanee salmon, brown trout, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass,

#6) Lake Junaluska, Waynesville NC
Lake J is 200 acres and filled with fish that will make you smile! The lake is suprisingly a phenomonal trohpy bass fishery and the local community stocks it with trout during the winter! It's a trolling motor only lake that doesn't see a lot of fishing pressure! It may be small but it is one of the best lakes in the mountains, don't let the size fool you!

#7) Fontana Lake, Bryson City NC
The mighty Fontana was known nationally as one of the most prolific big smallmouth fisheries in the country in the 90's and early 2000's! With the introduction of invasive spotted bass to Fontana the lake really spiralled out of control with the quantity of fish and lack of quality but there is no doubt that it is on its way back! Blueback herring have made their way into Fontana from Lake Glenville! The herring should help the grow GIANT largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass!

#8) Lake Santeetlah, Robbinsville NC
Located right next to Tail of The Dragon is the beautiful Lake Santeetleh! This lake has a very healthy population of largemouth bass and quite a few smallmouth! The size can be suspect as there are a ton of 1 pound to 1 1/2 pound fish in Santeetlah. Definitely a top 10 fishery of Western NC!

#9) Bear Lake, Tuckasegee NC
Bear lake is definitely a local favorite! Loaded with BIG bass and BIG trout Bear lake has a ton of trophy sized fish! This lake may actually possess the state record walleye too! The fish grow big in the deep clear water! This is a must fish if you've never fished it!

#10) Wolf Creek Lake, Tuckasegee NC
Wolf Creek sets up a lot like Bear Lake! Big walleye, trout, largemouth and smallmouth! Filled with threadfin shad and deep, clear water Wolf Creek can bring out the STUDS! It's beautiful shoreline, cliffs and beaches are great to fish for the different species! Way up 281 in Tuckasegee, it is well worth the drive!

Tell us what you think of our rankings and visit us at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply!

21 Steeple Rd. Sylva NC

Lake Burton Fishing Guide

Lake Burton is an absolutely phenomenal fishery! It offers many great experiences for visitors and locals! We have been guiding on Lake Burton for roughly 5 years and it is without question one of best fisheries in the country! It is so abundant with bait fish and it makes for an incredible spotted bass fishery as well as a largemouth fishery! We provide a fun, exciting and energetic experience! We offer live bait trips and artificial trips! We can choose a lake or we can fish the lake of your choice! We will make your Dream Catch a reality!

Call us at 828-354-0250! Also visit DreamCatcherGuides.com for more information! We accept cash, checks and credit cards!

Lake Chatuge Fishing Guide

Lake Chatuge is an absolutely phenomenal fishery! It offers many great experiences for visitors and locals! We have been guiding on Lake Chatuge for roughly 5 years and it is without question one of best fisheries in the country! It is so abundant with bait fish and it makes for an incredible spotted bass fishery as well as a largemouth fishery! We provide a fun, exciting and energetic experience! We offer live bait trips and artificial trips! We can choose a lake or we can fish the lake of your choice! We will make your Dream Catch a reality!

Call us at 828-354-0250! Also visit DreamCatcherGuides.com for more information! We accept cash, checks and credit cards!

How to Catch Big Bass in the Winter!

I know, I know, I know! It's still EXTREMELY warm for this time of the year and it feels like winter may never get here. The temperature of the water in a majority of the lakes are still in the mid 60's and we are mid way through November. My notes from last year show that the majority of the lakes were already 51*- 54* this time last year. So this article is going to be one of those things you need to stick in your back pocket for a little while, you'll thank me later!

As of right now these fish know what they are supposed to be doing, the weather is not allowing them to do so. Stay around the bait! Your top water lures are still going to be playing a big role as well as spinnerbaits and swimbaits. If the fishing becomes difficult, which it will because of transitional fish and uncooperative weather pick up a confidence finesse lure or small compact jig and put some fish in the boat!

Q: What should I be looking for right now?
A: Back water area's in hopes of running into some cruising largemouth. After running the shallows look for shoals, points and pockets that offer deep water access.

Q: What should I be using?
A: When in the back water area's I would be covering water with a buzzing frog of some sort, a rattle trap, shallow crankbait and a spinnerbait! When out on the points and shoals I'd be throwing jerkbaits, soft swimbaits, flukes and trying to imitate a school or individual bait fish fleeing in order to ignite a school of feeding bass!

Q: Now, how do you catch big bass in the winter?
A: As it gets colder and the winter patterns start to hold the fish hold in 2 different areas! The fish hold in deep ditches and steep banks. They want to hold in the most stable water in the lake while offering adequate opportunities on feeding when it is time to do so. Steep banks allow them easy access to the top of the water column without traveling great distances and ditches are great ambush points when schools of shad swim over them.

There is a common misconception that bass don't eat in the winter and they hibernate. That is not true! They are cold blooded and they are living creatures, as long as they are living they are burning calories. It's about efficiency and these fish want to position where they can get the most food for the least amount of energy spent! Slow lethargic lures are must in the winter.

Top 10 Winter Lures:

1. 1/2 oz. 8up Football Jig with Yamamoto twin tail grub trailer
Where: Ditches & steep banks

2. 3/16oz. Shakey Head with Zoom Finesse Worm
Where: Ditches & steep banks

3. 1/4oz Casey Ashley Underspin with Keitech Fat Swing Impact 3.3
Where: Ditches

4. Megabass Vision110+1 Jerkbait in Tennessee Shad
Where: Steep banks, deep points

5. Huddleston 68 ROF 12 in Rainbow Trout or Perch
Where: Ditches & steep banks

6. Crippled Herring Jigging Spoon
Where: Ditches and suspended fish

7. Jenko Double J Pod Alabama Rig with Keitech
Where: Creek channels, ditches and steep banks

8. Zman NED Rig
Where: Ditches & steep banks

9. 6th Sense Crush 500 Deep Diving Crankbait
Where: Ditches, creek channels & steep banks

10. Lake Erie Rig Tube + Finesse Worm
Where: Steep banks, ditches, creek channels

3 Dream Gifts This Christmas Season!

It is coming up on that time of the year! Holidays, family and gift season! If you are anything like me buying gifts is a hard task! I always want to get the perfect gift for everyone! We kept that in mind when we opened up Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply! Here are 3 AWESOME gift ideas for your fisherman and/or fisherwoman this holiday season!

1. Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply GIFT CARD

Our gift cards are without question a great gift! You can make the card for as much as you want and they are good to spend whenever! Buying the "perfect gift" for your angler can be tough! There are 1000's of different rods, reels and lures and chances are your fisherman/ fisherwoman knows the exact equipment they need more than you do! A gift card will let them fit their tackle expanding imagination into the gift you got for them!

2. Fishing Trip with Dream Catcher Guides

A guided fishing trip is always an awesome experience! We have gift certificates upon request and can email them to you, mail them to you or have you pick it up right here in the store! We teach high level techniques while catching studs! Here was a Christmas Gift experience from this past year!

3. Dry Case & Water Proof Bibs

For all outdoorsmen and women being dry, keeping dry and staying dry is a necessity. Whether you're fishing, hunting, kayaking or hiking being dry is important. At Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply we carry Dry Case products and premium frog tog bibs! Dry Case has completely waterproof cases and bags that entirely keep your phone dry, clothes dry and other important item dry!

Visit us here at Dream Catcher's Fishing Supply 21 Steeple Rd. Sylva NC 28779! 

Call us at 828-354-0250