JPP Dam

[TNtransplant08]

I am thinking about heading over there Friday morning if it isn't raining. I've never fished that dam before, just OH. Is one side better than than other? Whats the best way to get there? I'll be coming from Smyrna. Also what kind of discharge should I be looking for in determining whether to go or not? On the TVA website, I see they're releasing 1,050. I'll probably jig mini flukes and sliders in the current and see what bites.

Thanks,
Jamie

[massman]

i fish both sides but sometimes the river part is fun depending on the flow caught many a go stripe and crappie down there when it's flowing real good

[TNtransplant08]

To clarify, by which side, I mean which side below the dam, not above or below.

Thanks!

[agelesssone]

Generator side for rockfish, white bass, cats.

Lock side for crappie, whites, cats, sauger.

But either side, don't leave anything valuable visible in your vehicle.

[jad2t]

I've done well on the spillway side and I know many others who have as well. Right now there is constant generation since JPP is being lowered. Should keep this way for a few more weeks and it's a great opportunity to fish. If I wasn't at work a bit too late this week I'd be there. Maybe this weekend I'll try but I really don't like crowds so who knows.

As with any access area, there can be some sketchy characters hanging around at night so be aware of your surroundings.

[SAMBOLIE]

Generator side for rockfish, white bass, cats.

Lock side for crappie, whites, cats, sauger.

But either side, don't leave anything valuable visible in your vehicle.


If you see a lock then you are at the wrong dam.

[jimj3561]

I was down there on the gen side this morning and had zero bites. There were two others fishing the spillway side and they didnt catch anything either. Slow morning below the dam! But the weather was warm :)

[MNfisher]

If you see a lock then you are at the wrong dam.

Lol! You are correct!

[TNtransplant08]

Thanks guys! I may give it a shot. Hopefully the rain will clear out by Friday morning.

[tkwalker]

:confused:Lol! You are correct!

Lock side :confused:... Somebody is at the wrong dam ... <'TK>< :confused:

[agelesssone]

Apparently I was thinking about OH dam and y'all were talkin JPP. That's OK, I forgive ya!

[jad2t]

Planning to get out of work a bit early and head below the dam to fish from about 4:30 to dark. Last time I fished there I caught several different species. I'm specifically targeting rockfish this time, we'll see how it goes. Feel free to join me.

[TNtransplant08]

I went this morning and arrived around 6:30. As I mentioned before, this was my first time down there. I was definitely unprepared for it as it was different type of water than you find below OH dam. I think I didn't have the right type of baits and I was fishing the spillway side. I didn't realize how shallow the water is there. I didn't catch anything and the only person I saw catching fish, was a guy wading in the water, fishing the seam of the fast water. Saw him catch some white bass and some small panfish. Losing the line guide on the tip of my rod certainly didn't help matters! I had a back up rod with me, but it wasn't an ideal rod.

[jad2t]

Yea the time I went they were releasing over 8000cfs out of the spillway so the water was way up and you could fish from the rocks and be throwing into deep water. I found an eddy on the edge of the wingwall that definitely isn't underwater with this flow and it held a lot of fish, all different species. I'm bringing waders so I can get into the fast current and deeper water. I'll fish for rockfish primarily but if they don't cooperate I'll see if I can pickup a few bass for the cooler.

[TNtransplant08]

Yea the time I went they were releasing over 8000cfs out of the spillway so the water was way up and you could fish from the rocks and be throwing into deep water. I found an eddy on the edge of the wingwall that definitely isn't underwater with this flow and it held a lot of fish, all different species. I'm bringing waders so I can get into the fast current and deeper water. I'll fish for rockfish primarily but if they don't cooperate I'll see if I can pickup a few bass for the cooler.

Good luck! Hope you hook into a rockfish.

[thehick176]

Believe it or not, my best trips below the dam there while they were releasing water was with the biggest Pop-R I could find. Get on the flood gate side as close to the dam as possible. Throw up into the foam that is floating around. Pop it as violent as possible and hold on tight!!!! I have caught multiple hybrid and rockfish that way, and BIG ones as well. Good luck and be safe.

[jad2t]

Well I hooked into plenty of rocks....but no rockfish. I lost plenty of gear. I could have just thrown about 15 bucks into the water and went home. That would have saved me two hours.

[jimj3561]

Well I hooked into plenty of rocks....but no rockfish. I lost plenty of gear. I could have just thrown about 15 bucks into the water and went home. That would have saved me two hours.

That was me too yesterday...4:30 - 5:30p no action but a couple o' snags

[Lester]

Glad it's not just me striking out at JPP dam.