Claytor Lake
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Claytor Lake Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Claytor Lake. Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Prop)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureRock PileFishing below Claytor Lake in the new river, midday topwater bite, sunny with temps in the 70s.
- Species
Largemouth BassTechniqueMedium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructurePointsClaytor is fishing well right now. The issue is finding a better fish. The fish I have been catching have came off stepper banks and points with rock and rip rap. It has been a mix of small mouth and large mouth.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonFallStructureRock Pile
Fish Rocky banks off the main lake at the mouth of pockets all my fish came out of 1-5ft of water be sure you soak the bait an count rocks working your bait back to the boat
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Walking)SeasonSpring (Post-Spawn)StructureBrush Piles
Claytor is starting to fish pretty tuff. Most to the evening wildcat tournaments are only taking about 8 lbs to win. With very little offshore structures it’s hard to find them out on Claytor. I caught several keepers but no much over two lbs mostly on topwater and flipping a baby dnomb in the thickest cover I can find.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureBrush Piles
Claytor is producing big numbers of fish right now. The problem is, it is not producing much size. The best chance for big fish is to look for beds. However, if your goal is just to catch average size keepers all day then I would recommend topwaters, smaller jigs, tubes, flukes (double fluke rig), and other spring favorites for clear water. My keepers came on jigs and the double fluke rig.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueHard Topwater (Popping)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureDocks
Claytor is fishing decent right now. Bites are plenty, however size is can be hard to find. The water is very clear and the water Temperature is mid to low 60s. Most bites came on a popper and tx rigged 3 1/2in tube.
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueDrop ShotSeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureDocks
Be on the look out for beds make sure your leader length between weight an hook is 4 to 5 inches had my big fish for the day was 4.27 it wrapt me up I honestly believe if I didn't have mastiff it would have broke me off also think the thin diameter helped me get the bite after I tried multiple baits with diffrent line
- SpeciesLargemouth BassTechniqueTexas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)SeasonSpring (Spawn)StructureBrush Piles
Claytor is fishing pretty decent. The water still has stain to it and temperature in low 60s. A lot of fish are shallow. My most productive technique has been pitching a general on a lighter weight Texas rig. However many other techniques such has swim baits and chatterbaits could easily play a big role.
