Fishing a lot of rocks & points, this time of year I catch A LOT of catfish. Don't know much about their pattern but I believe this is about the time they start doing their thing. Any kind of minnow imitation or bottom creature will get their attention. A few years ago in early May I caught a 24# flathead on the Cumberland with a carolina rigged brush hog.
I don't fish O Hickory much but thanks for the report.