Carvins Cove Reservoir Fishing Report

Current Fishing Report: Fair To Good

Bass fishing is currently experiencing major changes in the way anglers are approaching the sport. The expanded use of high-tech fish finders is giving anglers, who fish from a boat, a distinct advantage. The fishing hasn't really changed, but the catch rate has increased considerably. The advent of new lures and equipment has improved success for anglers fishing from the bank as well. Savvy anglers, who study bass patterns, continue to catch nice fish, with or without the new gadgets.

SUMMER. Water temperatures are in the low 80's, so summer patterns are in full swing. Bass are feeding shallow early and late in the day, where they are being caught on topwater, crankbaits and swimbaits. Wacky-rigged stick worms and Ned rigs are catching finicky bass when the bite is slow. Largemouth bass here feed on gizzard shad, small sunfish and crawfish. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, channel edges, and ledges 15 to 25 feet deep, or deeper. The best reports seem to be from anglers fishing outside the corners of coves and pockets.

FALL. When Fall arrives, bass here will follow schools of baitfish into coves and shallow bays where spoons, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits have been successful in prior years. As deeper water cools, bait and bass move out to ledges, channel edges, points and humps where flutter spoons are often the ideal bait.

WINTER. Winter will isolate them around slightly deeper structure, flats, points and creek channels. They can be found from 20 to 40 feet deep. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring.

SPRING. Once water temperatures rise into the low 60's, largemouth will move from deep wintering holes, to shallower water just outside spawning areas. Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and vibrating jigs typically get bites just away from the shoreline. At this time they are preparing for the spawn. Once water warms into the mid to high 60's, they will move into 1 to 4 feet of water, and create nests, then lay their eggs. Immediately afterwards, females move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move to slightly deeper water. Crankbaits, vibrating jigs, plastic worms and swimbaits are catching bass during this period.

Current Fishing Report: Good To Very Good

Smallmouth bass fishing is currently experiencing good results using the latest high-tech fish finders and forward-facing sonar. Especially anglers who fish from a boat, are improving their catch rate. Even when fishing is slow, it's easier to catch them when you know exactly where they are holding. The advent of new lures and equipment has also improved success for anglers fishing from the bank. Savvy anglers, who study smallmouth movements and patterns, continue to catch nice fish, even without the new technology.

SUMMER. Smallmouth bass spend much of the summer on rocky points, steep bluff banks, submerged rock piles and deep ledges. Early mornings and evenings produce excellent topwater action, while finesse techniques excel once the sun is high. Wind-blown points consistently hold feeding fish. During the warmer months, Smallmouth bass typically feed shallow early and late in the day, in 10 to 25 feet of water. They are often caught on topwater, crankbaits, swimbaits, Ned rigs and tube baits. Smallmouth bass here feed on crawfish, threadfin shad, and small sunfish. They prefer rocky or gravel bottom areas, as this is where crayfish live. Popular Summer holding areas include rip rap shorelines, as well as rocky points, humps and structure near the thermocline. During the hotter parts of the day, they are being caught on points, humps, and ledges around 20 to 35 feet deep. Often these deeper fish tend to school, so finding them can deliver some fast action.

FALL. Cooling temperatures trigger aggressive feeding as bass chase schools of baitfish. Fish often move shallower, especially during windy conditions. Crankbaits, jerkbaits and swimbaits become extremely productive. Once Fall arrives smallmouth move into coves and bays, 8 to 20 feet deep. They thrive in the cooler, shallow water, which is an ideal environment for them. Locals report that tube jigs, and drop shot rigs with small worms or shad shaped plastics, are popular in 10' water or deeper. Worms, jigs, deep-diving crankbaits, swimbaits, and slow-rolled spinnerbaits, are also successful when bass are shallow to mid depths. Later in Fall, smallies move to 15 to 30 feet deep.

WINTER. Winter isolates smallies around deeper structure, points, flats and creek channels, often suspending in open water above these features. Before, during and after ice-over season (not viable for ice fishing), they can generally be found from 20 to 40 feet deep. Jigging spoons, tube baits, drop-shot worms, jigs and Ned rigs tempt smallmouth to bite in deep water. I like to work these deeper haunts very slowly in cold weather, as the bass are somewhat sluggish. Here they hold, feeding less frequently, awaiting warmer water to return in Spring. Smallmouth fishing can be very good on cold, windy, cloudy and rainy days.

SPRING. Water temperatures have risen into the 50's, and smallmouth are moving from deep wintering spots to shallower water, just outside spawning areas. They are feeding aggressively in 3 to 15 feet of water at this time, and are typically caught on jerkbaits, crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, and crayfish imitating plastics. Once water warms into the high 50's, they move into shallower water, 3 to 8 feet deep and create nests in gravel or sand areas, then lay their eggs. Some of the better spawning areas include protected, shallow flats and points. Females then move to deeper water and males remain to guard the eggs, and then the fry. After a couple weeks, the males also move into 10 to 15 feet deep, and feed aggressively. Crankbaits, tube baits, Ned rigs, plastic worms, spoons and swimbaits are catching smallies during this period.

Current Fishing Report:Fair To Good

Bluegill are a primary food source for predator fish here, and receive very little fishing pressure.

SUMMER. Following the spawn, most of the bigger bluegill migrate to deeper water, around 15 to 20 feet deep. They prefer rocky areas, often hanging out on steep, rocky banks where they can move up and down to feed without having to go a great distance. Small spoons, underspins, and small crankbaits are catching some of the bigger bluegill. Nightcrawlers are also catching decent numbers.

FALL. Cool, Fall weather drops the water temperature in the shallows and lures bluegill to move up along the shoreline. Steep banks and shallow areas with quick drop-offs are holding schools now.

WINTER. Cooling shallows will have driven the bluegill back to deeper structure with cover, in water ranging from 10 to 25 feet deep. In areas with no cover, anglers find them along points and humps with sharp drops into deeper water.

SPRING. In early Spring, bluegill migrate from deep winter holes toward the shore, and are typically caught around 5 to 10 feet deep. As the water warms to the mid 70's they will begin the spawning ritual, building nests in 1 to 3 feet of water. Many of the bigger bluegill prefer to spawn a bit deeper, depending on water clarity. Small spinners and swimbaits, or jigs tipped with small pieces of nightcrawlers are good choices for catching a lot of bluegill in spring.