Below Pickwick dam

[Mike763]

Haven't been below the dam in a few years and I will be heading that way in January. Never fished for smallies below the dam that time of year. Hoping to do some smallmouth and sauger fishing in the next week or 2. 

Any recommendations  for lure selection for smallies this time of year?

[TnRiver46]

@roadwarriorcan help you out 

[roadwarrior]

#1  Rage Menace

#2  GYCB Kreature

#3  Red Eye Shad

#4  Your favorite jerkbaits

#5  Bandit 200

 

If you are not opposed to live bait, minnows are THE BOMB!

[Mike763]

Not opposed to live bait, use to do the shad thing in the fall. I generally switch to sauger in Dec. but do to high water flow last few years have not been in the lower part in sometime during winter. Minnows I suppose as shad might be hard to net.

[roadwarrior]

 

You buy them. The Outpost just north of the dam has them. You need the biggest

they have and about a half dozen a piece per hour. Don't be frugal, the minnow needs

to be lively or replaced. I fish them with a split shot rig on a #6 Gamakatsu Octopus

Circle Hook and #6 fluorocarbon spooled on spinning tackle.

[TnRiver46]

Shad are not hard to net in winter 

[Mike763]

Thanks for the info. Where do you net shad this time of year. I usually stop in November to keep dry/warm.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Mike763 said:

Thanks for the info. Where do you net shad this time of year. I usually stop in November to keep dry/warm.

Well, I’ve never fished below pickwick dam so I can’t tell ya a spot to catch bait. But I can say that most of the TN river is overfilled with shad. I can barely pick up my net sometimes, and winter is always the easiest. Any cove with shallow water should be slap loaded 

[roadwarrior]

Across the river, almost straight out from the ramp.  Shad are usually on

either point of the cove or up further in the creek. This is certainly an option

that will save you some money, but store bought minnows are more

effective and easier to keep alive.

 

[Mike763]

Going to give it a try on Monday if all goes well. thanks for the help. I am going with store bought this time.

[roadwarrior]

Good luck!

 

[roadwarrior]

Another "secret" is line diameter. I fish #4, but #6 is more popular. Also, I use 

Gamakatsu Octopus Circle Hooks #6.

 

Fish both sides of the river positioning the boat so your cast is 10-15' from

the bank. Try to drift at the same speed as the current. Cast upstream and

reel in when your bait is perpendicular to the boat. 

 

You want to bounce the bottom, but not drag it. You are going to get hung up

a lot, so just deal with it. The docks are special as is the pool in front of the

Botel (Bill Dance Hole). The other significant landmark is outside the rift

under the power lines. Stay on the outside.

 

On the other side, keep fishing past the power lines down the ridge, but don't

cast over the rocks.

 

Good luck!