CAPT. ZACH'S FISHING REPORT:
The end of the year is always a special time. Not only are the holidays here, it’s also time to start fishing again! With air and lake temperatures declining, the forage fish (blueback herring and thread fin shad) are starting to move into their winter patterns. We will start following bait balls into the mouths of major creeks and river arms, then eventually toward the backs of the rivers before the shad and herring spawn in spring.
The thermocline is also dissipating in Jocassee and the lake will turn over soon. This process allows for oxygen to be replenished and nutrients to be distributed throughout the lake. To a fisherman that means it’s time to get a hook wet. Bass are schooling up and we are catching good numbers of them trolling while still targeting trout. No matter what the species, it’s always nice to see the rod bend over and see the smile on people’s faces. ~Zach Maddox, JLT Fishing Guide