RETURN FROM LAKE HIWASSEE!

Stripers like this 15 lb hoss are quite common on lake Hiwassee in the Spring!

Hiwassee lake is just about as far west as you can get in North Carolina, and we had Striped bass on our mind as we made the long trip deep into the mountains of our beautiful state!  We were invited by Corey Oakley and Ben Ricks of the “Better Fishing with 2 Bald Biologists Podcast”.  Hiwassee Lake holds the top 3 state record stripers and Corey felt it would make a good show and give a little needed attention to this remote lake. I think he was right!  

We were paired up with Don LaTulipe of High Roller Fishing Guide Service(828-644-4333).  Don is a retired Wildlife Officer who patrolled Hiwassee during his tenure and knows this lake extremely well.  We also had district 9 Biologist Powell Wheeler aboard to talk to us about the fishery as he has overseen the stocking of this lake since it started 12 years ago.

Trolling was the preferred way to catch these fish and before the day was through we had boated 6 nice Stripers, a 4 ½ pound smallmouth and numerous Alabama bass!  The biggest of the day was a 15 pound striper that snatched the bait so hard from the planer board that the line sang as it ripped through the water!  It was a fantastic day and we were even able to cast and catch hungry stripers as they busted top water all around us.  

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary for your next fishing trip you should consider Hiwassee.  There are lots of lodging choices through Airbnb and Vrbo that put you on or very close to the lake and access to food and shopping is in nearby Murphy.  Don says Spring is your best time to catch stripers but you can do it in the summer and fall as well.  From what I’ve experienced it could be one of those trips that you do year after year! 

Chris