I am going to be going down to Dale Hollow Lake this year for the first time and was wanting everybody's opinion about some lures. If you could take 10 lures to Dale Hollow lake what would they be and what color. I am going to be there in late April if that helps at all. I know there is no way to determine right now what water clarity and water temperature will be during this time but any information would be helpful.

If it's your first time I recommend you get a guide. It can be a very tough lake to fish. Depending on what the weather does between now and then they could spawned out by that time. The water is still around 50* so it won't take much to get them going. I don't think you need 10 baits either, just something to cover the basics. If they are on bed you will want some kind of creature bait, shaky head, or c-rig. Post spawn smallies will crush a grub and swimbait, generally the water is clear to gin clear which makes it tough. If it rains look for where the run off comes in to the creeks and stains the water you can catch a bunch on a crankbait. It's a beautiful lake, I'll be there tomorrow.

Late April would have me slinging Warts and Spinnerbaits, quite a bit of fish still smacking jerkbaits, too. I wouldn't be without a 4" Senko and a 5" grub, either. A 1/4 ounce Northstar jig and Rage craw would be, without a doubt, one of the very first things that would see water. A clear Spook can be deadly, too.