Hope to fish below the dam this weekend. Any suggestions?

You're kidding, right??

 

I haven't fished the tailrace side in a couple of years (our daughter is 3, coincidence??), but September was always pretty dood drifting!

Good luck!

I haven't been down there since the last week of August. We caught fish at 19'-20' almost

exclusively. In addition to temperature I would like any comments on depth and whether the

bite is predominately on moving lures or bottom contact.

Have not been yet this year.  Look forward to your report.  Did do well in October last year though!

 

Jeff

Yes, but not until later in the month when the water reached ~65*

Correct!  Just got my report for the day.  Surface temps 77-78

 

Jeff

65?

 

I looked back at my log, I've caught plenty w water temps in the mid-upper 70's below Pickwick in past years during September, as early as the first week too. 

I never had much luck w the smallies below the dam during summer, but from September - about June was always pretty steady. 

That's primarily just drifting a splitshot rig on the rocks.

My smallie fishing started last year on Oct 19th

 

Jeff

 

 

65?

I looked back at my log, I've caught plenty w water temps in the mid-upper 70's below Pickwick in past years during September, as early as the first week too.

I never had much luck w the smallies below the dam during summer, but from September - about June was always pretty steady.

That's primarily just drifting a splitshot rig on the rocks.

Have you been below the dam lately?

Jeff

No, not in a couple of years.  As I mentioned earlier, 3 year old   My hunting and fishing schedule changed a little  

 

Still, I've had good luck on them there in all but the hottest months of summer, July and August, which are still good for largemouth and spots. 

Kent, you going Saturday? Lake or river?

Jeff

It's on!

 

Believe it or not, artificials outfished minnows yesterday. I will add a pic later, but of the

15 smallmouth landed, all were in the 3-5lb range. Four were caught on store bought

minnows, the rest on a Rage Tail Menace, bullet weight and 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG Offset

Worm Hook. We fished the minnows on spinning gear, Octopus Circle Hooks and #4 Yo-

Zuri Hybrid. I fished the Menace on #12 Sniper FC, BCR 893, Curado 50E.

 

Every fish was caught in 8'-10' of water. Surface temperature was just over 70*.  I lost

4 smallmouth on the circle hooks which almost never happens. After three jumps the 

fish of the day threw my Menace 10' from the boat. The fish came 3' out of the water!

 

In addition to the brown fish we caught tons of the usual suspects on live bait, including

3 giant gar. I also caught a 3lb spot on a 3/8 oz Sierbert Outdoors jig/ Rage Craw (PBJ).

No trash fish on the Menace.

 

 

 

Glad to see the positive updates! 

 

How is the grass bite on Pickwick at the moment? I plan on making the trip down from Nashville tomorrow and fishing around the Waterloo area for the next few days. 

I talked to a couple of guys that targeted grass exclusively yesterday...not good.

just curious how fast do yall usually drift? do you cast out behind the boat? Ive some really nice adjustable rod holders...or do yall just cast and let sink to bottom and then drift from there? Do you get up close to the dam and drift down or would I be ok getting down river a good piece and drifting? I have a 16 foot aluminum jon boat with a new 30 hp etec....I also have drift socks do yall use those? last time I went I launched at the Botel ramp and it was really swift

We put in at the TVA ramp, set up and starting fishing a hundred yards upstream from the Botel.

The cast is always perpendicular or upstream, never downstream. I like to cast about 45* upstream

and try to keep the bait/ lure running at the same speed as the boat. This is where boat management

comes into play depending on water release (current).

 

With live bait the key is a natural presentation which means drifting the minnow at the speed of the 

current and managing the boat speed with the trolling motor. Not always easy. The main adjustments

are moving the boat in or out to maintain a distance of 30 yards or so from the bank.

 

Throwing lures allows more flexibility. Saturday I was try to SOFTLY drag bottom, lifting the bait whenever

 I felt a rock, With the Menace the distinction between a rock and a bite is dramatic. You will never think

"you might" have had a bite!

 

 

 

when you say upstream do you mean towards the dam? or does that actually mean north the way river is actually flowing?

 

Im thinking about giving this a try....I think i will put out two drift socks and then just turn the trolling motor backwards and keep it running to slow me down

I went last year and never tried it...instead i went up to the dam and got between two walls on the far right side and fished for crappie and catfish

Upstream always means the opposite direction from that in which a stream or river flows; nearer to the source.

when you say upstream do you mean towards the dam? or does that actually mean north the way river is actually flowing?

 

Im thinking about giving this a try....I think i will put out two drift socks and then just turn the trolling motor backwards and keep it running to slow me down

 

I wouldn't advise the drift socks in current, they are made for wind.  You will have no boat control with those in the current, it probably isn't a safe idea. 

 

I'm not going to say what she was doing because it's the greatest fishing tip I've ever gotten in my life, and came to her as a total accident, like most good life lessons do - but suffice to say it involved drag free drift, and that concept changed my fishing life on rivers from that day forward

 

What's up with that? 

all of it makes total since to me. Sounds like you had a fun day RW.

What's up with that? 

 

Some people can't be pleased  

You already know the unedited version of that story, btw....

I do...Thank you!

If i dont get to go this weekend I am def planning on going monday as we are out of school for a holiday. If I can find somebody to go with im for sure going.....I will give a report if i get to go.