Nickajack - above or below dam?

[Scott715]

Me and Paps are going in the morning for bass and crappie. I don't want to get skunked. I don't need any honey holes. Just a general idea of where we need to be looking and what I need I be throwing. I figured I would equip the rods with tube jigs and minnows for the crappie. I was thinking some sort of weedless topwater, spinnerbait and umbrella rig for bass. We're going to try to get there around sun-up of just after. Any advice is appreciated. We were out at woods reservoir for 6+ hrs yesterday and only ended up with 3 yellow bellies. I'm trying to keep that from happening again. Lol

[agelesssone]

It's too early around here (Nashville) for topwater and spinnerbaits aren't doing much either.

For bass, throw a 1.5 KVD, chartreuse black back, a four or five inch suspending jerkbait, a speedcraw on 1/8 oz shakey head jig, or a DT 6 red crawfish colored rapala.

[Jkfishing]

Not to early for topwater fishing, i might be wrong for bass but the hybrids are biting it. I caught couple of nice hybrids on topwater lures today on j.percy priest but the wind is horrible. I was using a bone color jumping minnow. Have a nice trip and hopefully you catch some fish.

[Reel Tune]

I was going to also say not to early for topwater whites and hybrids. I was also on Priest this morning and the water was boiling, the bite was super early, I got on the water at 0610, and the bite was gone well before 0800.

Good luck, and enjoy the morning with your Paps.

Jeremy

[Alphahawk]

In the lake fish around rip rap in the bays. The crappie are about 3 to 4 feet deep in about 6 feet of water. They are close to the bank. I use a Trout Magnet in the Bison color with 2# test. It has proven to be a killer color at Nickajack. If it is windy......which it will be.....fish the TM under a float.



Regards

[Scott715]

Thanks guys. Probably wont get there early enough for topwater but ill go for slower presentation on the bass. Alpha, the only rip rap I'm familiar with is along the railroad beds. Is that what you're referring to?

[Scott715]

Alpha you are the man. Kept to 6' of water with a jig under a float. 18 in the livewell so far with maybe one or two under 11". My paps is having a blast. I will post some pics soon. I have a feeling he will be coming back here for the rest of the spring. Only 2 or 3 have been below 10" that we had to throw back. I probably lost the biggest crappie in my life when the line broke right at the boat. At least 14-15".

[Alphahawk]

Alpha you are the man. Kept to 6' of water with a jig under a float. 18 in the livewell so far with maybe one or two under 11". My paps is having a blast. I will post some pics soon. I have a feeling he will be coming back here for the rest I the spring. Only 2 or 3 have been below 10" that we has to throw back. I probably lost the biggest crappie in my life when the line broke right at te boat. At least 14-15".

Glad you and your dad are having good day. I hope you left some fish....LOL.....I am going tomorrow with a nephew.



Regards

[Scott715]

I'm sure there's more the way they're biting. We didn't have trout magnets but a blue/white tube jig worked well under the float. I think my dad may come back in the morning. If my boy didn't have to go to school tomorrow I would be going too. Severe weather possible for tomorrow afternoon. Maybe that will help the morning bite. Thank again for the advice.