Night time

[jmsjordan]

Fishing tonight with a floating light. I havent done this before...any pointers? Will try to fish for white bass and maybe crappie. I was given advice to fish next to the dam with the light and white bass hang out there..anyone have any luck there at night? Any advice is appreciated, and well welcomed.

James

[titansfan2104]

I haven't done it much at all but general idea seems to be to find the ledge/break between a creek and main channel, locate some cover (brush pile, huge rocks, sunken tree ) and set up over it .... Or somewhere next to a dock or man made structure!!!!!

[StriperFan]

Not sure about your exact location, the only points I would give is to anchor solidly. Like tie the front to a tree and anchor the back. Try to be in around 25-30' of water with deeper water to cast to. Give it plenty of time to develope. If setting up at dark, it is not uncommon for us to wait till 10:30-11:00 to start fishing. A secondary point or feeder creek along the main channel is a good place to start. Rig with two treble hooks with a 1/4 oz slip weight between them. Hook and weight size will ultamately be determined by bait size that show up and predator size that show up.

[jmsjordan]

hmmm interesting point. we started at 8:30 and finished at 11:00. no minnows showed up and therefore no fishies. Started at the dam wall and then went to the point on Rockland area cove. we were trying for either white bass or crappie. Havent done much night fishing other than catfishing from the bank. That point at Rockland looks like a great spot, long tappering with the main channel right next to it. Out in the middle several drop offs. Were fishing with minnow about 5' deep. Thanks for the pointers and gladdly welcome more!

James

[StriperFan]

Originally Posted by jmsjordan

hmmm interesting point. we started at 8:30 and finished at 11:00. no minnows showed up and therefore no fishies. Started at the dam wall and then went to the point on Rockland area cove. we were trying for either white bass or crappie. Havent done much night fishing other than catfishing from the bank. That point at Rockland looks like a great spot, long tappering with the main channel right next to it. Out in the middle several drop offs. Were fishing with minnow about 5' deep. Thanks for the pointers and gladdly welcome more!

James

Move till you find a spot that draws lots of bait. Concentrate on bait, the gamefish will follow.

[jmsjordan]

will do...thanks for the suggestion!

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by jmsjordan

hmmm interesting point. we started at 8:30 and finished at 11:00. no minnows showed up and therefore no fishies. Started at the dam wall and then went to the point on Rockland area cove. we were trying for either white bass or crappie. Havent done much night fishing other than catfishing from the bank. That point at Rockland looks like a great spot, long tappering with the main channel right next to it. Out in the middle several drop offs. Were fishing with minnow about 5' deep. Thanks for the pointers and gladdly welcome more!

James

I did not realize you were on Old Hickory. IF I was going to try some under the light for crappie I'd pick a boat house that has deep water on one end and shallow water up next to the bank end. Preferably on a channel. Then, I'd motor by to see if there is structure sunk on either corners from the owner and set up shop on that.

You can find fish in creek mouths and against the Dam but for crappie I'd put my efforts on looking for the right main channel or creek channel docks.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by jmsjordan

I was given advice to fish next to the dam with the light

James

I haven't seen many at night on Old Hickory up by the Dam but on Dale Hollow in the summer time its very popular. They will drop a light to 15-20ft or so and free float with it or tie up somewhere.

[StriperFan]

Free floating works good if you find a calm enough spot. Sometimes the bait will stay with you better than others. If the bait is willing to move with you, drifting can be a good way to find gamefish, but drift too fast and your bait will leave you.

[jmsjordan]

I will try that, I know of a spot with deep water and a couple of trees around boat houses. Was kinda fun to fish at night and of course.....no jet ski's!!!
Thanks for the help
James