New yak owner needs advice

Want to start fishing local (Middle TN) waters, but need advice:
1. Easily accessible launching spots on local lakes (JPP, OH)
2. Fishing spots , techniques, baits
3. Stream or river float ideas when I don't have a vehicle at downstream take out.

Thanks!

[FINNEY]

Brother I would try Drakes Creek in Hendersonville. I never been Yaking, but I see them EVERY day out there. I think they put in at Drakes Creek Park on Main St. Then float, paddle, drift, under the Main St Bridge down Drakes Creek and then paddle back up. Coming back up your heading north and normally wind is behind you pushing. Or I have seen them put in at the old Boat Launch on Sanders Ferry Rd. near the intersetion of Imperial (Google 174 Sanders Ferry Rd. Hendersonville.) They make it look easy! Hope this gives you a place to start atleast.

[txnative]

Check your pm's.


Chris

Thanks, Finney. I live in south Nashville , near I-65 and OHB, so any ideas closer than Hendersonville?

[SAMBOLIE]

Hamilton Creek at the sail boat marina or at the public ramp at the end of the road. Probably mo more than 6 mi from you. There are numerous yakkers that launch there. Many launch at the marina at night and fish.

[bd-]

You'll need a vehicle for downstream takeout, but I'd put in at Percy Priest Dam and float the tailwater. The best fishing will be between the dam and the Hwy 70 bridge - you could take out at the greenway by Kohl's. That'll be a short float of just under 3 miles and you could cover it in half a day, easy, with plenty of time to stop and wade. For a longer float, you could take out at the new ramp on the lower Stones, but I don't like fishing the deeper sections of the river as much - after you get past Hwy 70 the river gets deep and the current slows down to almost nothing.

There are some nice bluegill and shellcrackers and some decent largemouth in the shoals if you know where to look. They stock trout in the winter but it's really a warmwater fishery.

bd

Thanks, BD. What would be the best 2 or 3 lures to use?

[bd-]

I fly fish it, personally. Superbuggers, clouser daces, poppers, and sliders.

If I was going to spin fish, I'd carry some in-line spinners like rooster tails, small crankbaits like the Rebel Wee Craw, and a couple small Rapala floating minnows for topwater fishing. All those lures will catch both bass and panfish. For bass, some small soft plastics like Case Hellgrammites and Charlie Brewer slider worms also would be good to carry.

bd

[Reel Tune]

I've put in at the Khols, and paddled up to the Dam and floated/paddled back with no problems, of course this is when they were not dumping a bunch of water. You wouldn't believe how many good creeks there are. Just start looking at maps to find water and put in at a bridge and paddle up or down the creek to look for holes, and there are great wading oppourtunities by paddle craft access.

Easiest river around for put-in and takeout without having to shuttle is the Harpeth. Do a google search for the Narrows at Harpeth State Park. 5.5 mile paddle, and you exit only 1/2 mile from where you put in. Makes a big horseshoe.

How's the fishing at the Narrows? What lures would you recommend?Thx

I'm not really sure about the fishing, to be honest. Just starting to pick up fishing with my boys. We have only fished the narrows once, and that was just for an hour or so. I see a lot of fishermen out there, though.

[bd-]

The Narrows has some decent panfish but gets a lot of fishing pressure because it's such a high-traffic area in the summer.

bd

Thanks for the info. I think I'll try either launching at Hamilton Creek sailboat marina or floating the JPP dam to the Kohl's greenway take-out this week-end. Any suggestions as to which one would be better?

[Alphahawk]

Originally Posted by Ramsay

Thanks for the info. I think I'll try either launching at Hamilton Creek sailboat marina or floating the JPP dam to the Kohl's greenway take-out this week-end. Any suggestions as to which one would be better?

If it was me I would float the Stones below JPP if you can get your boat in and out. I am too old...too fat...or I would do it. I think it will be much more productive than putting in at the Sail Boat Marina.

Regards