I am planning a trip to TN to fish for smallmouth in late March mid-April timeframe.

I am thinking of Dale Hollow, but Pickwick (or another recommendation) is fine. Looking for guide recommendations as well as other thoughts on early spring smallmouth.

Pickwick: Speedy Madewell below Pickwick Dam;

Roger Stegall below Wilson Dam and the main lake.

If you have your own boat, I might fish with you

for a day or two.

Dale Hollow: Jim Duckworth

Thanks for the advice--I was hoping that you would chime in. I'll look up those guides and see if their availability matches up with the first week in April.

I am still fishing a small boat here--I don't have the big boat yet to take you up on your offer.

Really looking forward to this trip...

Speedy is my best friend and fishing partner. He is the only man

I know who has landed a 10lb smallmouth. I netted and weighed the

fish in November, 2004. The monster was caught on the Tennessee River

below Pickwick Dam.

http://www.smallmouthandstripers.com/

Good luck in your search, If all fails come on to Pickwick if the time fits in with mine. Shoot we will fish a couple of days. Can't say you will catch a fish of a life time. But in that time frame above Pickwick dam, is a good time to catch a boat load in crank baits.

Or if We can get RW to fish with us and show us how to do it right, We might just get a chance at a Trophy fish.

Pete

Good luck in your search, If all fails come on to Pickwick if the time fits in with mine. Shoot we will fish a couple of days. Can't say you will catch a fish of a life time. But in that time frame above Pickwick dam, is a good time to catch a boat load in crank baits.

Or if We can get RW to fish with us and show us how to do it right, We might just get a chance at a Trophy fish.

Pete

Careful, I will take you up on that offer. Another potential factor in the decision is the wife and kids may be coming with me, so I need to find something that is entertaining fairly close by while I fish for two days.

Shiloh is incredible!

http://www.nps.gov/shil/index.htm

I love Dale Hollow and fish there quite often. It is a tough lake to figure out though, but it should be on fire by that time of year. I recommend you get a guide if its your first time. Jim Duckworth is good, I've never fished with him though. I recommend Greg Brisendine from dusk to dawn guide service or Keith Palmeiro of Small chasers, you can learn more about them at www.smalljaw.com . I plan on going to Pickwick in search of a trophy that time of the year myself but my vote always goes to the Hollow.