Lake Chatuge/Hiawassee, Ga

[Fishhardroger]

Couple days away from a week in Hiawassee. First day with my boat on the water will be Sunday morning. I am coming up from Central Florida, so total different ball game. I have spoke with my wife's cousin who filled me in on a good amunt of tactics, etc. He won't be able to fish til late in the week (back to back BFL's on sinclair) Anyone have any current inetel they would be willing to share??? Thanks in advance!

[Lasher]

I have had luck with jerkbaits and small sized swimbaits, 4in keitechs fished on main channel points. Shakeyhead and drop shot will get bit on riprap and docks.  Topwater had not started yet last time I was there but should be soon. Fish have turned on the last two weeks so you are coming at a good time. The lake is full of hybrid stripers and I have caught 5-6 over 8lbs and they are lots of fun.  Tournaments are being won in 20-25lbs range so plenty of good 4-5 lbs spots and largemouth to be had.  Good Luck!

[geo g]

I fished it several years ago for a week from a rented pontoon boat.  It was extremely tough for this Flat Lander Boy, might as well been fishing the moon.

[bigbassin']

I haven’t fished Hiawasse but most of those North Georgia mountain lakes fish similar from what I’ve seen.

 

I’d focus on spots, fairly easy to figure out, normally if you find one you’ll get a couple in the same location, and they fight better than an equal size largemouth. You may find largemouth back in coves but I never caught a lmb on the main lake in the mountains.
 

Also, coming from central Florida, fishing for lmbs on a crystal clear, deep, spotted bass lake just isn’t as fun in my opinion.

 

Easiest starting spot is to spend some time on navionics looking for points with either a hump at the end or a dropoff on either side. Hit those points from the bank out to about 35’ off water. The closer to the main channel or a creek arm that the point/hump is, the more attention I’d give that area.

 

When going from point to point, watch your electronics for any humps or rock piles that don’t show on navionics. If you’re setup for it, I’d recommend trolling a crankbait while looking at the electronics.

 

Also keep your eye out for random schools busting bait in open water.

 

For lures, spooks and flukes are the way to go if the spots are fired up but not breaking the surface. For schoolers actively busting bait a rattletrap would be my first choice.

 

If you don’t have any luck on moving baits, a tube, small jigs, and a tequila sunrise trick worm on a jig head are all solid choices.