Skunksville

[Doc Marshall]

Oh man.

I think I need to start a fishing show. Highlights would include me scratching myself, loosing expensive lures, and waiting for the bite that never comes.

Is anyone else having tough luck out there? I've been fishing Marrowbone Lake in Joelton with zero hits (bass-wise). I've also been coming up empty handed from the shore at Percy Priest. Along the way I've been loosing plenty of hooks and a few spinners. Very frustrating.

I think the fish may be a bit deeper with this heat? I use primarily rubber worms (Texas rigged) and cranks. I don't use electronics but I'm starting to wonder if it would be a good idea. I have less confidence when it comes to going deep, though I recently bought a deep diving crank that I hear is a pretty solid lure...

If anyone has any tips or suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Lately I've been throwing a worm on there to snag a few bluegill, just to get the skunk off of me.

[Travis C.]

Originally Posted by Doc Marshall

Lately I've been throwing a worm on there to snag a few bluegill, just to get the skunk off of me.

Hey there is nothing wrong with that. I keep my small box of make the trip worth it lures.

The fish are in summer patterns I'd imagine. They'll be deep until night time, really early in the day or around sunset. Other than those times they may suspend or hunt cover to seek relief from the sun (no eye lids). Also a little cooler water.

Nothing wrong with worms T-rigged this time of year or cranks. Good choices.

Where to fish them may be where to adjust. No need for depth finder really unless you are targeting offshore structure. Look at the banks, Vertical ones are deep and across from them is usually flat. That means the channel is on the steep side of the bank. Fish will be in or near deeper water right now. Same goes for 45 degree banks are almost always channel banks too. If you find yourself on the flat side of these banks you know two things: 1-it has to has a drop off on it somewhere due to the other side being steeper, 2-that would be a good place to look in the times mention earlier for when they move out of deep water to find food.

Finding cover on any of these types of places only enhance them. Find too much cover on them then look for something different about a piece of cover there. The fish find those oddities too. Don't forget the shaded sides of things..since they don't own sun glasses

[bd-]

Tough time of year to bank fish Percy Priest.

bd

[Dub J]

Doc, I've been doing really good on cheatamn lake. Find rip rap (chunk rock) walls and throw a zoom lizzard or a super fluke. Rig it weightless on light gear like a 2500 series spinning reel and a medium action rod. Toss to the chunk rock near and after sundown. Let it sink super slow and hold on. Also topwater at dusk has been good for spots and largemouth. Throw a "walk the dog" bait until they slap at it and try to injure it.......if they miss it have a fluke or lizzard ready to throw in the same spot immediatly!! This is critical. He thinks he just injured it and will suspend there till he sees that its paralyzed then its an easy meal for him. I've caught several this way lately.

[Dub J]

I caught this 19" largemouth at sundown using the exact same method.

[90titans89]

Try Old Hickory. Last week the water temp was only 72 much different than the other lakes and the bass were biting pretty good.

[Doc Marshall]

Thanks for all the tips, guys.

I went on Percy Priest with a boat this afternoon. It was too hot for much action (Elm Hill makes you bring in rentals by 5:45 pm).

But I caught two from the bank afterward.

I will use those tips. Zoom spook then a lizard if he misses. Also, I will revise where I fish.

[Dub J]

Actually a "topwater" first like a heddon zara spook then soft plastic if they miss. The walk the dog action takes some practice....and topwater usually only pays off near or after sundown. Atleast for me anyways. Also try finesse worms like a zoom trick worm or berkely finesse worm. You can try wacky rigged worms too. Seems like later in the day they move in to feed and they are looking up to feed.....so most likely they are seeing a silhouette of your bait falling slowly in the water. They cant resist it. Their opportunistic feeders and its an easy meal that they dont have to exert much effort for. Good luck dude.