Pine Flat Lake Fishing Report

With the recent stretch of warm weather and 80-degree days projected next week, Pine Flat bass have started transitioning into early prespawn behavior and are getting more aggressive by the day. A good number of fish are being caught off secondary points and creek channels as they stage for the shallow prespawn push. Swimbaits and glide baits are drawing some quality bites in those areas, while drop-shots and T-rigged worms remain good for more consistent numbers (albeit smaller fish). Expect fish to move shallow into the backs of coves next week as temps tick up a few more degrees.

Trout and salmon reports at Pine Flat have been quiet lately, which is typical this late in the warm season, as rising water temps tend to shut those bites down. The bass bite, however, has been very good. Choppos, Whopper Ploppers, and other prop baits are getting crushed in the early morning by quality spotted bass in the 1-3 pound range. Once the sun peaks, most of the action shifts deeper, where jigging spoons and finesse soft plastics are producing best. Some anglers are also finding success in the late evenings by tossing green pumpkin or black swim jigs and connecting with some really solid fish. Look for the bite to only improve in the coming weeks as fall conditions start to roll in.

The king salmon bite at Pine Flat has been very good as of late. Most kings are holding deep, anywhere from 80 to 120 feet, with the best action coming on anchovy-tipped lures pulled behind dodgers. Focus efforts near Zebe Creek and Windy Gap. This fishery will only improve as shad start to migrate into the main lake after spawning.

Trout are chewing hard from Deer Creek to the dam, stacked at 20 to 35 feet. Spoons tipped with nightcrawlers are doing steady work, along with Speedy Shiners, and pink wedding rings. Boats working these lines are knocking out quick numbers early in the day.

Bass are also biting well, sticking to rocky primary and secondary points. Crankbaits and Carolina-rigged plastics are both drawing quality bites, including reports of 5-pound class largemouth and spotted bass. As mentioned above, bait schools are beginning to push deeper, but bass remain locked on point-related feeding lanes.