Anyone know about visibility? I hoping it's not chocolate milk!

Ive never fished with live bait before....how do I use this technique of drifting with live minnows? what type of rig and how is it done?

also what about the water levels & temps???

I made it over there today (JP). Not a single bass.... all I could get to bite were bluegill, perch a few drum and cats. Water temp started at 49 and ended at 51. Water was still pretty clear and down a few feet from a month ago. I was all over the bait fish, I mean ZILLIONS of them, with bass bustin' them quite frequently. I couldn't get them to bite anything..... 5 or 6 different topwaters, cranks, worms, jerk bait, spinnerbaits. Im thinking I needed a Alabama rig today. I caught all the bluegill and perch on topwater and jerkbaits slow. They came home for dinner

Yesterday was HUGE!

Yesterday was HUGE!

YES IT WAS!!!

Who's fishing this weekend?

I'm hoping to take off Friday and get down there with a buddy of mine. The weather looks great towards the end of this week and weekend. If I make it I'll let you guys know how I do. Was anybody out last weekend or yesterday?

I tried to fish last Friday, but the wind and temp was brutal.

I'm hitting it this Saturday. If the forecast holds, it will be sunny and warm for this time of year. Should be some good fish caught this weekend.

Anyone have an open seat Friday?

anyone fishing today?? im thinking about goin to pickwick saturday myself, probably launch from JP

Caught some nice fish below the dam yesterday.

Nice catch! Using live bait??

Went yesterday and today and have been killing them!! Not below the d**n though. Friend caught a 9 yesterday and a bunch of 4 and 5s and I caught a 1 big 6 and a few others today. Ill try to post pics

I went today out of jp but didn't have any luck. Any tips you guys could give for this time of year?

Man if you are not using an alabama rig right now you probably are not gonna catch fish.

I went today out of Waterloo and caught 7. Two of them were on A rig, 2 on small spoon, 3 on rattle trap. I was catching them on drop offs at the mouth of creeks. I went to McFarland yesterday with some junk fish and that's about it.

Fished yesterday on the river.. Caught a lot of fish.....mostly drum, carp and catfish, with a few white bass, one striper, one sauger one LM and 8 smallies!

The drum/carp and even one catfish were HUGE!!! The smallies were all good size as well, 2lb- 3 1/2 lbs!

Jeff

00 MOD, what bait were you using to catch such a variety of fish? Live bait?

Would you consider fishing below the d**n to be too hazardous for someone that has never fished there? I have fished right below the d**n, but not further down river. I felt the ramp was not real conducive to launching and loading for someone fishing by themselves, because there didn't seem to be a good place to tie up your boat while pulling your vehicle in and out of the launch.

I caught 5 good LM Sat., mainly close to Dry Creek dragging a heavy swim jig with a plastic shad. Since I've never fished the lake in Jan. or Feb., I'm wondering how much the LM pattern will change from what it is now. I suspect that when the water temp. gets much below 45 the bass will go even deeper. True? And yes, I have an A rig order!

You can put in safely at the Botel, but I STRONGLY advise you NOT to fish the river right now, especially by yourself.

Before tackling high water, you need to be comfortable with release under 60 cfs. Boat control is very difficult at 100+ .

You can put in safely at the Botel, but I STRONGLY advise you NOT to fish the river right now, especially by yourself.

Before tackling high water, you need to be comfortable with release under 60 cfs. Boat control is very difficult at 100+ .

x2! Always have 2 people on boat that are experienced enough to run the boat very well while on the river and especially with lots of water like now!

Live bait was used!

Jeff

Thanks for the replys. To show my ignorance of the area, Roadwarrior, what is the Botel? Is the water high most of the Fall or just at certain times?

Just beyond the TVA campground and ramp:

http://www.thehistoricbotel.com/

Thanks RW. Would you recommend the Botel as a good place to stay?

x2! Always have 2 people on boat that are experienced enough to run the boat very well while on the river and especially with lots of water like now!

x3! That river is rolling at 100K of water flow. Be very cautious, especially when the water is this cold. There is no room for error. That being said, if you play it safe, good fish can be caught.