September Carters Lake Fishing Report

 

What We're Throwing

Along with the fluke and jig head minnow, flutter spoons have continued to produce when we get around the right groups of fish.

Jerkbaits are also starting to become more of a player. As the water continues to cool and we get deeper into fall, I expect that bite to continue getting better.

We're also beginning to see more topwater activity, which is something I've been looking forward to. Poppers and walking baits are my preferred choices right now. When the fish start pushing bait and feeding toward the surface, having one ready to go can lead to some really fun fishing.

There are also still some fish hanging around brush and rock. A jig has been picking up the occasional fish in those areas and is always something worth having tied on when the moving-bait bite slows down.

Right now, my main bass rotation consists of:

• Flukes

• Jig head minnows

• Flutter spoons

• Jerkbaits

• Poppers and walking baits

• Jigs

The biggest key isn't necessarily having the perfect bait tied on. It's paying attention to where the bait is, how the bass are positioned around it, and how they're reacting to your presentation.

Carters Lake Striper Fishing

The stripers are starting to get interesting as well.

Early in the morning, we've been seeing quite a few fish spread out. There have been a lot of singles, but don't overlook them—some of those single fish can be the ones you're looking for.

If I'm specifically looking for stripers early, one of the first things I'm paying attention to is the water flow around the dam.

Whether water is moving in or out can have a big effect on where bait sets up and where those stripers want to position themselves. When there's good movement, that's an area I'm going to spend some time around.

A flutter spoon has been one of my favorite ways to get started.

As the morning progresses, however, those fish don't always continue wanting the same presentation. That's when downsizing can make a difference.

I'll pick up a spinning rod with somewhere around a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce head and a 2.8-inch paddle tail and see how they react. If they don't want the smaller profile, I'll gradually work my way up in size until the fish tell me what they're looking for.

Don't get too caught up in one exact bait size. Watch how the fish react and make adjustments from there.

Be Ready When They Group Up

One of the biggest things we're noticing right now is that the striper groups are getting tighter and more active later in the morning.

We've been seeing a particularly good window develop around 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

When you find the right group during that window, be ready because things can happen quickly.

If you catch one, get the fish in the boat, grab a few pictures, and get it back in the water. Then get moving and find that school again.

Just because you caught one doesn't mean those fish are finished feeding.

A lot of times they'll eat again—you may just need to change your presentation a little bit.

If you're fishing with multiple people and somebody hooks up, don't automatically pull every other bait out of the water.

Keep fishing.

When one striper gets fired up, the rest of the group can get competitive. We've had them follow hooked fish toward the boat and continue eating right at or directly underneath us.

That's when doubles can happen.

Everybody in the boat needs to be ready because the opportunity can come and go quickly.

Looking Ahead to October

We're in that period right now where Carters can fish differently from one day to the next, and that's exactly what I enjoy about the fall transition.

The bait is moving, we're seeing more shallow bass, offshore fish are still very much in play, the topwater bite is beginning to come alive, and the stripers are starting to group up and feed more aggressively.

As we get more cool nights and continue moving toward October, I expect these fall patterns to become even stronger.

The biggest thing I'm watching is the bait.

Find the bait, pay attention to what the fish are doing around it, and don't be afraid to change what you're doing throughout the day.

Come Learn These Patterns With Me

Reading about a pattern is one thing. Seeing it develop right in front of you on the water is completely different.

If you want to learn the good parts of these patterns, come join me on Carters Lake.

Whether you want to learn more about targeting spotted bass, chasing stripers with artificial baits, understanding forward-facing sonar, reading bait, or simply becoming better at putting together a pattern throughout the day, I'd love to have you in the boat.

My goal isn't just to help you catch fish. I want you to leave understanding more about why we caught them so you can take that knowledge with you the next time you're on the water.

The fall bite is just getting started.

Fish For More.

“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” — Matthew 4:19 KJV

Ashton Johnson
Owner & Guide
Blueprint BassN Guide Service
Carters Lake, North Georgia