Hong Kong Island, JPP

[TNtransplant08]

Since I have a small boat now, I am exploring new water. I was looking at a map of JPP and I noticed that the area south of Hong Kong Island is marked as "refuge area". Is fishing allowed in that area. If so, is that area good? Was thinking of launching out of poole knobs.

[agelesssone]

Fishing is allowed there and it is a good bay for crappie.

[Farley]

It has been listed as a waterfowl refuge as long as I can remember. The TWRA has recommended to the Commission to lift that title since it really does not serve that purpose. That whole area is supposed to be no wake even though a lot of boaters don't observe the rules. Keep your eye out for the bald eagles that nest back there very cool!!!

[TNtransplant08]

Thanks for the reply guys. I wanted to make sure before I venture out there. I'll check it out sometime and will keep an eye out for the bald eagles! That'd be neat to see. I ended up launching out of Jefferson Springs this morning. The bite was sluggish today. Most of the fish I was marking was in 25 feet of water. Threw some crankbaits (Norman DD22), but wasn't sure what I was doing with that. Crankbait in deep water is a new concept for me. No takers with that, so I moved onto the flat and caught bass with a lipless crankbait.

[flyfish]

We launched there as well; probably passed in the parking lot or on the water. We were the guys fishing for carp on fly rods. Managed two 6 pounders and turned a few others. The rain didn't help.

[bd-]

All the carp fishing on the fly I've done has been pure sight fishing. Unless you've got a different technique worked out, I bet that was tough to do with rain hitting the water and mussing up the visibility.

bd

[flyfish]

Yeah, we were sight fishing. Couldn't see most of them until it was too late. But we were able to make some long casts and hook up.

[TNtransplant08]

flyfish, it was very possible that we probably passed each other at some point. I was fishing in a rowboat with a old trolling motor on on it. Were you fishing the flat just south of the ramp? I see carp in that flat all the time. Must be a blast to catch them on the fly. I remember growing up fishing for them with corn and having a ball with them. You'll probably see me there often as that ramp is just down the road from my place, so feel free to give me a hollar!

[bd-]

Originally Posted by flyfish

Yeah, we were sight fishing. Couldn't see most of them until it was too late. But we were able to make some long casts and hook up.

Cool. I hate when I don't see a big fish in time and he "bounces off the boat." It always seems like they run straight for the rest of the fish on the flat and spook all the other feeding fish in the vicinity.

I have only carp fished on Percy Priest a couple times - usually I hit Old Hickory or the Cumberland. It seems like Priest has more common carp and fewer buffalo than Old Hickory, which makes things easier since its so hard to get the buffs to hit. Old :ickory sure has some big fish though - I lost one last summer that was easily over 20 pounds.

bd

[flyfish]

Yeah, nothing but mud boils under the boat Saturday. We didn't see any giant fish, but saw some big wake as they split across the flat.

We just moved here a year ago. When you say Cumberland, are you fishing headwaters of OH or below the dam. We haven't explored below the dam, but have found some good flats in the headwaters of OH. I've been wanting to go below OH, but it's hard to explore unknown water when you know you can get on fish in other spots.

Any tips for the section between the dam and downtown? I saw there is a nice ramp on the stones.

[bd-]

I fish both the headwaters of Old Hickory and below the dam. I fish some up in the Stones but it's all buffalo and very few commons. There are some big drum up in there though.

There is a big flat farther down the Cumberland that you can access from Ashland City Highway that is usually pretty productive. I don't know if you know Gil Lackey - he has become a real master of catching some giant buffalo from the main channel of the Cumberland. I haven't had much luck with that though - I'm not sure exactly how he does it.

bd

[TNtransplant08]

Finaly got around to checking out Hong Kong Island area with mixed results. Launched out of Pooles Knob at 6 am. Got into great topwater action for the first hour or so. The smallies were slamming zara spooks, sometimes going airbone during the strike. Sure was a blast! Most of them were in the 2-3lb range. Threw a horny toad as well, with equal success. Once the sun went high in the sky, the topwater bite went away. Due to it being a no wake zone, it was nice, quiet and peaceful. I was amazed at the number of gar I saw swimming in the bay. They were big ones too and they were following my lures, occasionaly strking. Didn't catch one though, thank god. Don't know what I'd do with that mouth of teeth.

Anyone have any advice on how to find bass (both smallies and LM) once the sun is up? Since I started venturing out on the water, I've struggled to get into fish. I'll mark some fish on the graph, but can't get any takers.

[Fish Whisperer]

I usually switch to carolina rigged lizzard/worm and slow roll 'em when the top water bite dies....

[TNtransplant08]

Originally Posted by Fish Whisperer

I usually switch to carolina rigged lizzard/worm and slow roll 'em when the top water bite dies....

Any particular colors work well? What depths and type of structure do they work in. When using a Texas rigged worm, what type of retrieve should I use? Thanks.

[Scott715]

I like green pumpkin with a brighter tail. I normally fish the old-fashioned pull and drop technique when texas rigging. Just keep the line tight to feel the pick-up if it's hit on the drop.