PDA

View Full Version : Advice on local spots


calcio1020
06-09-2014, 11:03 PM
Hi everyone. I've lived in Middle Tennessee since I was about 8 (in mid 20s now) but sadly have never really found a local water that I have gotten to know and fished consistently. Part of the reason is because I didn't have a boat until recently and I get easily distracted by life. Anyway, I'm leaving town for medical school in August and would like to spend the next 2 months or so doing as much fishing as possible. I don't want to step on anyone's toes but I was wondering if anyone could point me in a good direction for larger fish like bass, striper, walleye, etc.. on places such as Percy Priest, Old Hickory, and Center Hill lakes. Also, I will be fly fishing if that helps. Thanks in advance!

P.S. Found the site through google and this forum is awesome!

TNBronzeback
06-10-2014, 07:50 AM
Thats a pretty good array of fish there.
The bass on JPP and Old Hickory have been pretty hot recently with crankbaits and jigs fishing ledges and drop-offs. Striper's can be caught below old Hickory dam with your best chances during times of generation and/or when they have some water coming thru the gates. Live bait is always a great bet if you can net it, but big bucktail jigs and flukes thrown up in the fast water and bounced back thru the rocks works too. Walleyes can be a more difficult target species. Dale Hollow has been on fire this year for walleyes in recent weeks in both numbers and size, Center hill also has some good reports and the fish are still at a decent depth.
If ya got 2 weeks or so, pick ya one species and target that for a few days then move on to the next if it doesnt pan out or your ready for a change in scenery.
a safe bet for both bass and walleyes on any lake you fish would be to target drop-offs and ledges and points. with the fish relating more to deep water, if ya have a decent wind, let that be a factor for you in setting up on points.
Also, if i am understanding your post, will be ALSO be flyfishing, or you will be flyfishing exclusively? that again will be a game changer for all those species.
Im not saying it cant be done, but you might be hard pressed to boat a walleye, on a lake, in the summer, during the day on a fly. Bass should be a good target species if your taking the fly rod though.

calcio1020
06-12-2014, 07:09 AM
Thats a pretty good array of fish there.
The bass on JPP and Old Hickory have been pretty hot recently with crankbaits and jigs fishing ledges and drop-offs. Striper's can be caught below old Hickory dam with your best chances during times of generation and/or when they have some water coming thru the gates. Live bait is always a great bet if you can net it, but big bucktail jigs and flukes thrown up in the fast water and bounced back thru the rocks works too. Walleyes can be a more difficult target species. Dale Hollow has been on fire this year for walleyes in recent weeks in both numbers and size, Center hill also has some good reports and the fish are still at a decent depth.
If ya got 2 weeks or so, pick ya one species and target that for a few days then move on to the next if it doesnt pan out or your ready for a change in scenery.
a safe bet for both bass and walleyes on any lake you fish would be to target drop-offs and ledges and points. with the fish relating more to deep water, if ya have a decent wind, let that be a factor for you in setting up on points.
Also, if i am understanding your post, will be ALSO be flyfishing, or you will be flyfishing exclusively? that again will be a game changer for all those species.
Im not saying it cant be done, but you might be hard pressed to boat a walleye, on a lake, in the summer, during the day on a fly. Bass should be a good target species if your taking the fly rod though.

Thank you!