KevO

I haven't been back since, the 2nd but the temps have dropped back into the high 40's. I'll probably go Saturday, look for transition banks near spawning areas. They will be loaded up with smallies, and LM.

red clay banks, with grass. I still keep the boat in 25-30' but they will be shallow. A-rig, C-rig, Jerkbaits, flukes, jigs.

It was 50-52 from the dam to first island Friday. This week is going to be cooler so the temps will drop some, I'd imagine they will be around 60 if it gets warm again, and stays that way.

I caught this one Friday. 21.5" 5lbs even.

It's pretty tough right now, we had a big shad kill a couple weeks ago when the lake froze. The fish are pretty keyed on dead shad. I may go saturday, not sure yet. If I do, I'll be throwing a shad rap, jerkbait, a-rig or blade bait.

I'm going Saturday to try the day time bite, a buddy caught a few last weekend during the day but its still slow. Cooler weather will help, I'd wait until November if I was you.

I just put one on a Megabass Orochi XX F5-75 extreme mission. It's a pretty sweet combo!

Other than Ralph, I recommend Greg Brisendine or Bobby Gentry. I haven't heard of the other two guys. When are you wanting to go? Unless you are interested in night fishing, I would wait until late October if not later. Day time bite is non existent right now.

I use hog farmer bladed rigs, they use the best components. Man it sure does hurt to lose them though. I lost 2 two weeks ago and 1 Sunday, that's about $130 between rigs, jigheads and swimbaits. At least the smallies were eating it. I like keitech, big hammers, big bite cane thumpers, or skinny dipper swimbaits. I use 20# yo zuri hybrid but after losing a few rigs I am considering going up to 25# FC or back to braid. Haven't decided yet.

Nice fish. You should fish that bluff bank in the background... just saying

I read Billy's book once a year, and I learn something new about Fishing Dale Hollow every time. It really has made me a better fisherman.

Fishing wasn't very good for me at Dale hollow, but we still put a few in the boat. The ones we caught we're good ones though.

I ordered a St Croix avid X 7' MF last week, and received the 7' MM. I almost kept it for exactly what you are looking for.

In the truck.

Good to know I just bought this rod for all these same applications. Unfortunately, when it showed up it was the 7' m/m so I had to send it back. Hopefully I get the right rod by this weekend.