[TNewsome]

I live near Bartons Creek area and have been fishing Old Hickory a lot lately. Today was my third trip out in the past week, and I finally - finally - caught a fish. Two. Caught two today on a bandit crank bait at the mouth of Sandy Chapel.

I can go out on JPP and catch fish almost anytime. I went to JPP on Sat night and caught several. I use 3.5 inch tubes Texas Rigged or regular watermelon red flukes T-rigged. Crankbaits get the job done there too at times.

But Old Hickory has kicked my tail. I have literally tried everything I can think of without much luck. I've tried jigs, worms, shakey heads, dark spinner baits at night, crank baits. I've targeted lumber in shallow water, and I've tried 6-10 feet water near the channel.

Maybe the fishing this time of year is just tough? If anyone has any tips, I'd greatly appreciate it. It's awful having boat ramps this close to the house and not have a clue how to catch the fish around here. Hate having to drive to JPP and fight the boat traffic.

Thanks for any help.