Here is the fishing report for Watts Bar for July 12, 2018:

Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.78 feet. The water surface temperature is 72 to 84 degrees.

Largemouth Bass: Summer patterns are the dominant patterns now. This means large water, jigs, swimbaits, crankbaits and plastic worms. Carolina rigs are popular.

Smallmouth Bass: The majority of fish being caught are coming from main lake or deep secondary banks by anglers using crankbaits. Target rocky or gravel banks. Most fish are being caught at night. Much the same as the previous week.

Crappie: Most recent catches are combining minnows and deep open water. Primary creeks in water depths from 10 to 30 feet are the type of areas that many anglers are targeting. Some fish are structure related and others are suspended. A few dock fish are being caught. The same patterns as last week with the exception of more fishing at night around lights.

Catfish: Use anything meaty. A lot of fish are being caught. Current increases the odds of good catches.

Walleye: No observations.

Striped Bass: Most anglers are using shad in the area below Ft. Loudoun Dam. Some anglers are using shad and trolling with planer boards in the Clinch River. Saturday and Sunday fishing was not good.

White Bass: Some breaking fish can be found in the mid lake especially late in the day. Use spoons, roostertails, or topwater. Mid lake humps and ledges have fish that can be caught deep while using heavy spinner type lures.

Bluegill/Shellcracker: Use worms around docks or along rocky creek banks. Several fish are still bedding.