04-03-2004, 11:33 PM
[font "Verdana"][size 3]BOONE RESERVOIR: [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2](4/1/04) - [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS
Surface temperatures were in the upper 50's this week. The lake has a good greenish color to it on both sides with some trash floating on the Watauga side. The lake level at the dam as of 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning was 1,374.90 feet above sea level. The lake has risen almost four feet from this time last week. [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY
Bass fishing continues to get better with the warmer weather and water temperatures. The Fat-Free Shad, Normans, and Bandit crankbaits are taking the majority of the fish caught, with the Silver Buddy and spoons still performing well for the deeper fish. The smallmouth bass continue to be found in 7-10 feet of water around rocky areas. The largemouth can also be found up shallow, mostly later in the afternoons, off points or around brushy cover. Plastics fished Carolina rigged have started picking up these largemouth around treetops and other brushy cover. The Silver Buddies seem to be working better anywhere on the Holston side, while the spoons seem to have more success on the Watauga side jigging the spoons in about 15-20 feet of water. Early mornings to midday have been the most successful for the crankbaits this week. Most of this action was on the Watauga side. Spinnerbaits and small plastic tubes and grubs have also showed some success this week on both sides of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass and hybrid action has been good this week. The stripers seem to be moving around the lake better now. They have been caught at the bend at Davis Dock, Point 10, in front of Sportsman's Dock, and Point 4 on the Holston side, while Point 19 (Deer Lick) and just below the island at Sonny's Marina on the Watauga side have seen some good stripers caught. A few fish have been seen breaking this week, but large schools of shad have still been hard to find. Late evening fishing seems to be the best right now. The majority of the fish caught have been taken in about 15-25 feet of water. Shad, Zara Spooks, or white buck hair jigs seem to be the best baits for the Striped bass while chicken livers work well for the hybrids.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing has gotten a little better with the warmer water temperatures. Most anglers are using chartreuse or blue/white jigs or flies tipped with a minnow in about 6-10 feet of water. Bass Assassins and small crankbaits trolled have also started to produce a few fish. Try to find submerged brush rather than just fallen trees. The Watauga arm seems to have the better crappie fishing right now. The long cove at Point 19 on the Watauga side put out some decent crappie this week.[/size][/font]
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[font "Verdana"][size 2]WATER CONDITIONS
Surface temperatures were in the upper 50's this week. The lake has a good greenish color to it on both sides with some trash floating on the Watauga side. The lake level at the dam as of 5:00 a.m. Thursday morning was 1,374.90 feet above sea level. The lake has risen almost four feet from this time last week. [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]SUMMARY
Bass fishing continues to get better with the warmer weather and water temperatures. The Fat-Free Shad, Normans, and Bandit crankbaits are taking the majority of the fish caught, with the Silver Buddy and spoons still performing well for the deeper fish. The smallmouth bass continue to be found in 7-10 feet of water around rocky areas. The largemouth can also be found up shallow, mostly later in the afternoons, off points or around brushy cover. Plastics fished Carolina rigged have started picking up these largemouth around treetops and other brushy cover. The Silver Buddies seem to be working better anywhere on the Holston side, while the spoons seem to have more success on the Watauga side jigging the spoons in about 15-20 feet of water. Early mornings to midday have been the most successful for the crankbaits this week. Most of this action was on the Watauga side. Spinnerbaits and small plastic tubes and grubs have also showed some success this week on both sides of the lake.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Striped bass and hybrid action has been good this week. The stripers seem to be moving around the lake better now. They have been caught at the bend at Davis Dock, Point 10, in front of Sportsman's Dock, and Point 4 on the Holston side, while Point 19 (Deer Lick) and just below the island at Sonny's Marina on the Watauga side have seen some good stripers caught. A few fish have been seen breaking this week, but large schools of shad have still been hard to find. Late evening fishing seems to be the best right now. The majority of the fish caught have been taken in about 15-25 feet of water. Shad, Zara Spooks, or white buck hair jigs seem to be the best baits for the Striped bass while chicken livers work well for the hybrids.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing has gotten a little better with the warmer water temperatures. Most anglers are using chartreuse or blue/white jigs or flies tipped with a minnow in about 6-10 feet of water. Bass Assassins and small crankbaits trolled have also started to produce a few fish. Try to find submerged brush rather than just fallen trees. The Watauga arm seems to have the better crappie fishing right now. The long cove at Point 19 on the Watauga side put out some decent crappie this week.[/size][/font]
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