FishingTN.com Tennessee's Fishing and Boating Community

Quote:

Originally Posted by txnative (Post 58510)

Jim,

Smaller baits always produce better for me below OHD in the fall. 3-5" shad or (my preference) Zoom split-tail trailers in white or chartreuse on 3-way rigs. 1 oz bank sinker for 1 gen, 1.5 oz for 2 gens, or 2 oz for 3 gens. Cast just inside the outer "lip" of a boil and let the rig get down. Most fish will hit before the rig drifts even with where you're standing.

I also like a super fluke jr on a 3/4 oz head fished from the lock release gate to the end of the lock wall. Keep the bait moving after letting it drop after the initial cast.

These same techniques also produce keeper walleye, especially after dark. Magic hour is from dusk till 8 pm, but you should find fish during daylight hours. I have caught a lot of 20+ lb stripers during fall below OHD, and white bass should start showing up in numbers.

Side note: A 6-8" skippie on a 3-way rig drifted from the bank is a good way to get your drag tested, and 8-10" free lined can be deadly if you keep the herons off it.

Chris Bryant

Thanks for the info Chris.

Most fishermen have been throwing the three-way rig with the threadfin shad the way you described. I have been doing the freeline with a big shad mostly. The current has been very strong as 2 or more generators have been going so it has been hard to keep the bait down.

What rod, reel and line set up do you use for bank fishing? Mine are mostly for boat fishing so I may get a new one to use at the dam. It looks like most people are using long spinning setups.

Also, do you just fish near the dam or do you try random spots off the rocks? I am on the Hendersonville side.

Thanks again,
Jim