White Bass on the Hick

[jmsjordan]

Long time reader first time poster. What a great site and learned so much, thanks to all who share and time for me to join in.

I live in H'ville near Drakes Creek. Just bought a second boat, a 21' center console with the intention of hunting down stripe and stipers. I know this lake is full of them both. Not looking for the huge stripers yet and I know they are on the other side of the lake for the big un's. But that being said, there has to be some 10lb+ fish through out the lake. Just looking for some places to start looking for both fish. I have umbrella rigs, inline spinners, small crank baits to start. Wife and son LOVE to fish and I just want to get them on some of these "smaller" stripers or nice stripe and let them experience the sound of a reel begin for mercy. I have only had luck under the dam, but will not take this boat down that confounded ramp.
Thanks for all the advice and keep up all the good work.

P.S.
I cant get my son to read a book, but he does read this site, lol

[nofish]

Put in on the top side and lock through.

[nofish]

At rockland on the old hickory side they have a wide gravel area you can put in at and you can park right in front of where you backed in. They also have a regular ramp. Just an idea if don't want to use the ramp at the dam, but you'd have to use the lock.

[Buccaneer]

The White Bass in the main lake is somewhat of an opportunistic thing, if you can catch them actively feeding on top you can have a blast. As a general statement they will be on or very near the channel edges, particularly around a channel bend and bluff combination. For Stripers I suggest up river from Bluegrass area, along the bluffs near Johnny Cash's old house. Then further up river to the stretch from Spencer/Station Camp to the 109 Bridge. After that, upstream from the Steam Plant. You can burn a bunch of gas hunting the Stripers.

[bd-]

If the white bass are not feeding on top, look around until you find schools of threadfin shad and slow troll mini-size rattle traps or cordell spots in the area until you find fish.

You can also fish for them at night under lights with minnows.

bd

[jmsjordan]

thanks for the advice will try to do some more "hunting" today! will post results and hopefuly some pics.

[StriperFan]

I heard there was a pretty good topwater bite this past weekend on stripe in Drakes Creek.

[jmsjordan]

Started fishing the channel around blue grass and up stream a bit. Did not locate many shad, though I usually do it that area. Headed to mouth of Drakes Creek. Trolled cranks and inline spinners. Caught one nice stripe and that was it ( female full of eggs ). Seemed the unexpected wind changed things up a bit. May head to dam and rockland area, have heard they hang out there some.

[Buccaneer]

It was last year or maybe the year before I hammered the stripe/white bass right on the drop at the mouth of the Rockland slough, from the corner at the park across to the other point. They were stacked up from the surface down to 20' right along the drop off. Just stood on front deck with trolling motor on low and a rod in each hand with a small jigging spoon. Filled the live wells that day.

[jmsjordan]

thanks for the info...going to try the dam and that area this weekend. tried mouth of drakes creek again on Friday. 1 non keeper. I also think im using to big of a crank bait and my inline spinners arent always spinning while trolling. I will get it, just impatient....I want them NOW, lol.

I did catch a ticket from the TWRA for not having a fire extinguisher on the boat. I took it out to hose down boat a couple days before. $200 ticket...fyi to anyone not having one if required.