Claytor Lake
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Claytor Lake Fishing Reports
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Tony
Bronze Ambassador
3/18/25
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Damiki Rig
Structure
Rock Pile
Forage
Cisco/Whitefish
Water Temperature
56°
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Topwater Popping
Structure
Docks
Forage
Bluegill
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.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Drop Shot
Structure
Docks
Forage
Minnows
Water Temperature
64°
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
HotbaitShimano Mastiff FC Fluorocarbon 8lb
Out of Stock
Berkley Gulp! Minnow 3" / Smelt
Out of Stock
Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel - EOL 2500 / 6.0:1
Out of Stock
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Brush Piles
Forage
Bluegill
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.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Ned Rigs
Structure
Docks
Forage
Bluegill
Water Temperature
64°
Look for beds in the back of main lake an creek pockets not a whole lot of fish on bed yet so you will have to cover alot of water might see 1 or 2 beds in every pocket
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Brush Piles
Forage
Bluegill
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.
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Spawn)
Technique
Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
Structure
Brush Piles
Forage
Shad
Claytor is fishing pretty well. A lot of fish are going on bed. The main lake is muddy however back in creeks and deep pockets is clear. Most bite today came pitching and flipping a Berkeley General on a 3/16 oz weight.
Species
Smallmouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Wacky Rigs
Structure
Docks
Forage
Crawfish
Water Temperature
56°
Cought multiple fish underdocks let the senko go to the bottom an soak mastiff held up great this fish me had me wrapped up under a dock an I still managed to get it out an land it
Species
Largemouth BassSeason
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Swim Jigs
Structure
Laydowns
Claytor is still fishing solid a lot of rain today. No giants today but several solid ones. All the fish I caught where on moving baits. Most of them came on a swim jig around lay downs in future spawning pockets. The water is slightly stained and the temp is around mid to higher 50s.
