IdahoLunkerHunter

When you are out fishing and you come across a stump most fisherman stop and get all excited because this tends to scream bass territory! If I come across one in deeper water I have found that they tend to carry more bass than one single fish, as most shallow stumps do. For example, a stump on the edge of a ledge or drop-off. There tends to be some sort of flat near by and I will definitely target this specific stump for a while. Most fisherman will target the stump and let the lure drop right beside the stump. Sometimes the bass will be holding near the stump and if you cast on top of the stump you will often spook the fish and it will move to deeper water or miss them completely. I tend to cast on the far side of the stump to help not spook the fish. Then I will tend to retrieve the lure on the shady side first. Usually, the bass will be holding on the shady side vs. the sunny side. You also want to make sure to get as close to the object with your bait on the retrieve because if you hit something on the stump and re-direct your lure you can often trigger a reaction strike. Once you retrieve your bait past the stump you don't want to burn your bait back to the boat. You want to allow your bait to work the area adjacent to the stump because bass will cruise the water around looking for bait. Most fisherman miss this opportunity because they think that once they are past this structure the bass are not around. Big bass will objectively follow a bait any distance. My go-to baits when fishing stump are Jigs, Spinnerbaits, lipless cranks and worms. When fishing Jigs and worms I like to works all parts of the stump often making 10 or more casts on a single stump to make sure I get every angle possible. When I work a spinner bait I will tend to retrieve the spinner bait right up to the stump and let the bait fall around the stump on the retrieve. You will often get bit on the fall and they are vicious strikes. Crankbaits I try and hit the stump as much as possible. The reaction strike works great and tends to be a very good way to catch a limit. There are many different approaches to this and I would like to hear your input or additions.

Great post Catt! and info from Ken

Good Luck. I am flying out tonight for the road trip. Wish me luck haha!

Brent and Matt, I was just being sarcastic in my previous post. It is going to be a bummer you two can't make it because I was really looking foward to meeting both of ya. Hope all is well and take care. There is always next year!

I'm right there with ya Glenn. Maybe its just us Northern Guys. I don't mind if I'm fishing in rain, wind, hail, snow, sleet whatever. Just as long as I'm out fishing, I'm having a great time and not working or sitting at home! Ya... sometimes it might be cold and misserable but you still are out fishing and not cooped up inside. Plus, I can't wait to hang out a week with people that love bass fishing as much as I do!!!!! Plus, anything is better than 20-30 degrees and snowing like here at home haha

I'm following you from Sunday - Friday so if you don't cross, I dont either. That sounds like a great plan to me! Just finishing up with getting my last stuff packed up and will be heading to the airport tomorrow at midnight. Hope everyone has a great drive and I will be seeing everyone soon!

Welcome to the Forum. Can't help with the Florida fishing though.

Hey don't forget your squeeze bacon! LOL

Sounds good to me! Airhorn= Good laugh. I found some of those kids firecrackers you pull apart and they go off. I did the back door with those one year. That was a good one, she wasn't too happy.

I missed 3 & 4. I answered all of the above on number 2 So 70%, Ill take that hehe

Hey will you pick a can up for me Cart? And maybe some mothballs... I've been told those seem to help with wild animals.

1. False 2. I think all will work and should be done. 3. True 4. True 5. True 6. True 7. True 8. b 9. a 10. True I don't know If I answered 10 right. It just didn't sound right. And #2 is all of the above I don't care what ya say

Wow, and I thought during college Hot Dog omelets were bad. ;D

You guys sure know how to make a guy get anxious! I already had big time cabin fever from the winter and not being able to get out yet so with all this new talk about the fishing being about perfect these last three days are going to be painful lol!

Well I have to leave at 3:00am to make it to the airport, and will be arriving at 5pm I'm down for some buzzbaits at dark, I'll be living off redbull.

Was looking at the Same time Kent

Thankd for the info. Just got this off the TVA: Observed See a graph comparing observed elevations for the year to date with the expected elevation range and flood guide level. 3/30/2009 Date/Time Upstream Downstream Average Hourly* (Central) Elevation Elevation Discharge CFPS 6am 358.23 309.94 66,017 7am 358.28 310.17 66,044 8am 358.30 310.12 66,027 9am 358.30 310.33 65,947 10am 358.36 310.28 65,641 11am 358.43 310.34 65,702 noon 358.47 310.34 65,496 1pm 358.45 310.80 67,773 * discharge reported at end of hour Click here to view data for previous day Predicted 3/30/2009 109,500 358.80 74,600 3/31/2009 91,900 358.70 88,000 4/1/2009 59,600 358.60 88,000

So, just sitting here in my office watching the snow fall and was just day dreamin' about the Lake. So if the rain cooperates and the lake is 2-3 feet above winter pool I have some questions. People have been talking about these yellow flowers and bushes being covered. Couple questions: 1. If the water is above the average like this, does this push fish tighter to the banks to find the bushes and the yellow flowers. Will bigger fish first move into these areas to follow the bait fish or do they hold to deeper structure? 2. If the water level is constantly changing how do you change your plan of attack? 3. Kentucky Lake is huge so how do pick what area you will target? Do you start with north west creeks and banks to target the warmer water in the morning and move to other areas after? I know there will be a lot of information handed out once everyone arrives but I'm bored LOL. ;D

Good article

Arriving on Saturday night. Will be fishing Sunday and might be interested in some night fishing if anyone is interested Sat Night.

Sweet fish. Looks like a fun day!

I through Spring was on its way untill I woke up this morning. We got a fresh little blanket overnight. Kentucky is definetely calling my name!

Anyone available on a ride to the airport, I'll help for gas money... I have a ride to Kentucky Lake on the 4th. But I need a ride back to the airport in Nashville on the 10th anyone heading that way?

I was just applying that it's cold out and the water isn't much warmer Gotta try and hit the river later today. Will keep you posted!

Great looking catches. X2 on that shoreline!