Fishing Below Old Hickory Dam

[Plang]

Hey Guys, I have a question for all of you guys that fish below the dam. I have a day off Friday and was considering trying to catch some smallmouth in the river below old hickory dam. I have done it a couple time in the past but its been a while. My question is in regard to the discharge. Right now it is at 23,700. Is this to much current to control? I will be in a bass boat with 24v trolling motor. I know current is a good thing for the brown fish bite but I don't know from the numbers if this is too high and too fast. Just don't want to make the drive if it's not worth it. Thanks in advance for advice!

[agelesssone]

23,700 is pretty swift, but not uncontrollable.

I was out the other day in 39,000 and that was pretty hairy. By yourself you will have fun maintaining boat control unless you move downriver.

Up in the boils will be uncomfortable.How will you be fishing for them and where you will fish for them is the ultimate question.

[Plang]

Hey agelesssone,

my plan is to put in at the stones river ramp and fish from that area and upriver towards the island and bridge. May not even see the dam all day. Does this sound doable?

[agelesssone]

That will work.

[Travis C.]

Has anybody ever figured out the ramp sign that was there? Didn't it limit boat length or something?

I was thinking about putting there some this summer as it would be easier on me with a big boat solo but don't want to pay any fines or anything.

[Plang]

Travis i went last year and saw guys with big bass boats putting in. I have an 18.5 footer and put in there. It's a really nice ramp. I would say all bass boats should be fine.

[Aquaholic6801]

Has anybody ever figured out the ramp sign that was there? Didn't it limit boat length or something?

I was thinking about putting there some this summer as it would be easier on me with a big boat solo but don't want to pay any fines or anything.

The Sign says its "unsafe" to launch when water is higher then the sign and line painted on the Ramp....It doesnt look official and it actually makes it a PITA to launch when the water is higher than the sign....looks home made, but they have added some concrete to the sides of the ramp and included the sign post......

[Aquaholic6801]

I dont think you will have to worry about any Drum Friday, I think I caught every one in the Cumberland River today so they all should have sore lips along with some Nice White Bass and this Decent Smallie caught 2 others that were 10-12"...... Reference Point the Cooler is 19" long....

[MNfisher]

Nice bronze!!!!

[agelesssone]

That fish gives truth to the phrase "fat as a football"! Man,that's a chunker. Bet he'd be a good eater!

[Aquaholic6801]

Looks like the Shad kill is about over too...Guessing all the Drum I caught today were doing their thing.......cleaning up the River....I seriously caught 25-30 Drum 5 to 15 lbs

[Plang]

Man that's a nice smallie. Congrats. What were you fishing with if you don't mind me asking?

[Aquaholic6801]

I make my own jigs.....

[Alphahawk]

I dont think you will have to worry about any Drum Friday, I think I caught every one in the Cumberland River today so they all should have sore lips along with some Nice White Bass and this Decent Smallie caught 2 others that were 10-12"...... Reference Point the Cooler is 19" long....

That is one fat Smallie!



Regards

[Travis C.]

The Sign says its "unsafe" to launch when water is higher then the sign and line painted on the Ramp....It doesnt look official and it actually makes it a PITA to launch when the water is higher than the sign....looks home made, but they have added some concrete to the sides of the ramp and included the sign post......

This was the sign I remember

http://www.fishingtn.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2527&d=1355502218

They removed the bottom slats hanging off the sign?

Nice bronzeback...Aquaholic

[Reel Tune]

Nice smallie, Aquaholic it looks like a toaster oven.

That fish gives truth to the phrase "fat as a football"! Man,that's a chunker. Bet he'd be a good eater!

:eek::eek::eek:

This was the sign I remember

http://www.fishingtn.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2527&d=1355502218

They removed the bottom slats hanging off the sign?

Nice bronzeback...Aquaholic

Travis this sign is on the Stones, the new Heartland access. The ramp that I believe everyone else is talking about is EN Peeler, I may be wrong though.

Jeremy

[Travis C.]

That would clear up the confusion on my end.

Thanks!

[Aquaholic6801]

This was the sign I remember

http://www.fishingtn.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2527&d=1355502218

They removed the bottom slats hanging off the sign?

Nice bronzeback...Aquaholic

Yeah I was referencing Peeler Park....Ive only launched from the Heartland ramp once when it first opened...I did not see that sign at the time.....

[Plang]

well we went this morning and caught a few. 2 smallmouth, one of which went 4.1, and a bunch of drum and white bass. Not as many smallmouth as we would have liked but a good time none the less.

[Aquaholic6801]

well we went this morning and caught a few. 2 smallmouth, one of which went 4.1, and a bunch of drum and white bass. Not as many smallmouth as we would have liked but a good time none the less.
Dam I thought I caught all the Drum the other day.....lol....4.1 is a nice one though.....It doesnt matter what they are when I am fishing a Jig....nothing like that thump on the end of the line....

[MNfisher]

It doesnt matter what they are when I am fishing a Jig....nothing like that thump on the end of the line....

I hear ya there! If it thumps, then pulls hard.....I love to catch it!!