Williamsport Lakes

[Doc Marshall]

Hey Guys,

I've always wanted to try out the Williamsport Lakes, near Columbia TN. Marrowbone is my local, but I haven't caught a bass there in a while. And it hasn't been for lack of trying. Thankfully, I wasn't the only basser having zero luck.

Last weekend I tried out one Williamsport's many lakes, Shellcracker. There's a somewhat precarious entrance to the lake itself, but it's otherwise one of the easier lakes to access.

It isn't as pretty as Marrowbone, in my opinion, though there are other lakes I didn't check out. Shellcracker is about the same size, somewhat smaller. Water was warm, like gumbo. I did catch 2 nice bass in a short amount of time, though, which is more than I can say Marrowbone. My wife sat there reading her Kindle the entire time. We brought a lunch and made a great day of it.

I hope to get back there soon to see what the early morning bite is like.

The folks who run the place couldn't be nicer, though that has been my experience at TWRA lakes in general.

[Adough]

Glad to hear it. If you remember, what were the posted hours when you went?

[Doc Marshall]

We were there from about 3 pm until sundown. Oddly enough, the bite simply died an hour or so before sunset.

[Alphahawk]

Blue Cat and Shell Cracker are great lakes to fish. They both are full of big bass and also many Cherokee Bass...and if you are an ultra light enthusiast ...as I am...both of those lakes have lots of really nice Shell Crackers. I fish almost everyday and I can't take those roads out there. The dust from the limestone will eventually get into your engine and every where else. Once and a while is OK. After 4 days of going out there I had to take my wheels off and blow the dust out of my brakes. I know the manager of the TWRA Family Fishing Lakes for region 2 and they have been trying to get the roads paved for 8 years with no luck. There used to be a water truck that would keep the roads wet but I have not seen it around in a long time. I put 40,000 miles a year on a vehicle fishing and those lakes are prime for what I like to do but you have to clean your vehicle every time you leave there. Oh...TWRA did not want the Crappie in there but they are there...and they are really nice. Most are Black Nose and I have caught several that are 14 to 16 inches.

Regards

[StriperFan]

I went through a period of time when I would be sitting there waiting for the gate to open, and I live and hour and a half away. The cherokee topwater bite can be addicting there. Sitting outside the gate, you knew they were tearing it up. By the time they open the gate and you get in the water all you get is a few minutes of topwater bite, unless the conditions are really good. Then you could chase em for a couple of hours or more. We would catch nice largemouth mixed in with them from time to time. I mostly went in Spring and Fall when the temps were best.

One spring a fishing partner invited me to Reelfoot lake to chase some bluegill and crappie. The weather was terrible and bites were far and few between. We decided to spend the last day driving from reelfoot to Williamsport to chase some Cherokees. It was mid-day when we got there and the sun was high and brite. So we trolled around using a weighted shallow running crankbait, keeping it 4' -5' off bottom. We made it most of the way around Blue Cat, no bites. Then BAM "fish on" , we caught our limit quick, and were pleased with ourselves for making the switch.