Pickwick

[frogtog]

Ok guys it seems that the ABA championship will be on Pickwick 9/27-

10/2. I've never been so I can use all the help I can get.

Also I think I have won AOY in my district so I get to fish a one day tournament on Wilson Lake for a Triton TR21 fully rigged boat.

this tournament will be on 9/26 and I will also need some help on Wilson Lake.

I will also be needing an observer for this tournament if anyone is interested.

Thanks In Advance

[skillet]

 Sorry, can't help with info on Pickwick . Did want to say CONGRATS on AOY ! I'll keep my fingers crossed ...

skillet

[Gatorbassman]

I know a couple of good guides on Pickwick. PM me if interested.

[roadwarrior]

I know a couple of good guides on Pickwick. PM me if interested.

I have some guides, too. Let me know if you want some

names and numbers.

8-)

[frogtog]

Thanks guy's but I won't have time for a guide. I will have to take what Info I can get on here and my map and see what the out come will be. :

[roadwarrior]

Okay, a couple of questions:

Pickwick is really two different lakes. "Pickwick" out of

Florence is river fishing with both cover and structure,

including lots of shallow water, islands and ridges.

"Pickwick" near the dam (State Park) is a big lake with

some cover, but mostly structure. So, where are you putting

in and weighing in?

Wilson is a small reservoir, relatively shallow, stable water

levels and usually some current. Grass flats are common and

the fishing is (generally) easy. Noted more for numbers than

size. The Alabama State Record smallmouth was caught below

Wheeler Dam, technically, Wilson Reservoir.

http://www.fishpickwick.com/

http://www.louwilliams.com/

http://www.fishingtennessee.com/Ducktrail/default.htm

8-)

[RoLo]

Roadwarrior, I know that the Tennessee River is your home waters, and that you're highly versed in this great river.

My question is: if you were in quest of a record-class bronzeback (all the time), I'd be interested in knowing

which of the four river sections you feel is the best candidate (tough question, I know).

> Wilson Dam Tailrace (upper third of Pickwick Lake)

> Central Third of Pickwick (transitional lake section)

> Lower Third of Pickwick (the deeper lake section approaching the Pickwick Landing Dam)

> Pickwick Dam Tailrace (in the Tennessee River)

I understand that smallmouth fishing in Pickwick Lake is highly dependent on water current.

I was wondering, which if any of those four river sections are least affected by the release schedule.

Thank you in advance,

      Roger

PS:

With regard to fishing guides on Pickwick, Roger Stegall is very well noted (5-fish stringer: 27 lb, 6 oz)

Also Jim Duckworth.

[roadwarrior]

Definitely Wilson tailwaters for both numbers and size.

However:

HUGE Disappointment  

David Hayes caught the World Record smallmouth bass in 1955 on Dale Hollow Lake.

Some believe the next World Record will be found on the Tennessee River:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

Almost exactly four years ago, November 2004, my fishing partner and best friend,

Speedy Madewell, boated a 10 lb beauty. I netted the fish and weighed it, he released

the monster! Since that time we have had some luck with other big bass, including the

bronzebacks in my avatar (January, 2005).

Last Saturday Speedy and I fished the river with limited success: an assortment of species

including largemouth, smallmouth, Kentucky bass, striper, cats and drum. We may have

caught forty fish or so, but no size and most importantly, no browns of note. Around 11:00

things changed.

With poor results off either bank and limited water release by the TVA, we moved to the

"middle of the river". Actually, we decided to fish along the river channel, defined by

navigational buoys. The drop is well defined, but relatively small, only 3-5' in 15-25' water.

Still,this represents significant structure for fish in open water.

After landing a few nondescript fish, I got a nice strike drifting along the ridge.

I set the hook hard and didn't budge the fish. However, there was very little fight

and I saw another drum in my future. After 10-15 yards of retrieve, the drum dove

and turned into a big catfish, just digging to the bottom, but no run. As I brought the

fish closer to the boat, Speedy asked, "Gonna need the net?" Without any emotion

I replied, "Yeah, it's big and ugly."

Speedy runs the trolling motor on the forward platform of a BayRanger 2180,

center console. So, with the net on the floor opposite me, it takes

a minute to get set up. With little current, we let the boat drift.

This time of year the water clarity on the Tennessee is about 3, maybe 4 feet.

As my partner came over to my side he asked, "What's ya got?" I replied, in a

steady voice and without inflection, "The biggest f***ing smallmouth I have ever seen."

The fish appeared to be a Trident submarine as it rose toward the surface so both of

us could get a good look at her, but then she bolted. She initially ran about 15 yards

forward, then after a 90 degree turn, another 20 yards toward the middle of the river.

My situation was precarious. I'm in the middle of the boat and have to hustle to get to

the front, around and over the trolling motor while at the same time maintaining rod

position with a sizzling drag. I was starting to have some fun!

The pig came up, but did not jump. I got her turned around, but she had already decided

she didn't like the Ranger. When she was halfway back, she bolted again, but this time

dove deep. It took a few minutes to get her a little closer.

Most smallmouth, especially biggun's, tend to fight the best on the first run after a close

encounter with the boat, but even later, they never give up. This fine lady staged at rod

length, tugged mightily and would not come up. I asked my buddy what he thought

I should do? He responded, "Doesn't matter. That fish ain't ready and she's going

to do anything she wants!"

Well, I've caught a few big fish and I was in no hurry. My rod appeared parabolic with the line

straight down into the river. I said to my friend, "This is when you have to believe in your equipment."

And then.......the line snapped.

stupid, Stupid, STUPID!

We weren't catching anything interesting, so although I noticed a burr on my line before

the last cast, I didn't do what I always preach: "If it ain't perfect, it ain't good enough."

When there is any doubt, retie your line, leader or hook.

So, could that smallmouth have been the New World Record? I don't know, but it wasn't boated,

so it doesn't count. You might ask, "Really now, how much do you think she weighed?"

I don't know the answer to that either, but what I can tell you is, she was...

HUGE!

 

[frogtog]

That's what I'm looking for, I want to live that story ;D I will only have one day practice at Wilson and three days at Pickwick. ( McFarland Park) and I don't know yet where we will put in on Wilson.

[roadwarrior]

McFarland is just below the Wilson Dam, you won't need to

change motels!

8-)

[RoLo]

RW, thanx for your response and that great story!

Just days after I joined Bass Resource, you told me that story about Speedy's 10 lb mule, which I've never forgotten.

I also remember FiveBassLimit asking why you guys released that hawg, a feeling that I share with FiveBass.

I doubt that I'd have the fortitude to release a 10-lb smallmouth, because only SIX 10-pound smallies

have ever been certified. Two of them in fact (20%) were taken by the late Billy Westmoreland from Dale Hollow Reservoir.

Reading your story about that horse smallmouth which got away gave me gooseskin!

Your description ignites da sha vue, and is remarkably similar to some of the largest fish I've fought & lost (fresh & saltwater).

Phase 1: Yipes, this fish is far too much for my tackle.I'm in trouble.

Phase 2: At the end of every run, she stops while facing away from the boat. Until you can turn her head around,

            you can't pump her toward the boat. Oddly, when you lay back hard on a big fish facing away,

            you can actually feel the fins pumping as she holds her ground.

Phase 3: Rats...instead of beating herself up on top, she's bent on heading for the bottom where she can sulk'

Phase 4: It's a stalemate, so now what? I can't possibly exert anymore pressure on her.

            Just then there's an abrupt sensation of weightlessness

What hurts most is knowing that there's only one person to blame and that's ME!

As you pointed out, if there's any flaw along the tackle train or drag-setting, your Personal Best will find it for you.

Speedy and yourself have already paid your dues, and I'd love to see you boys set the next world-record bronzeback.

Was Speedy's 10 and your lost monster both taken in the Tailrace of the Pickwick Dam (i.e. Tennessee River)?

If so, why do you rate the Wilson Dam Tailrace as the best river section?

Roger

[roadwarrior]

Yes, same water a mile or three apart. His fish was caught

off a ridge in strong current and was probably feeding. I

suspect mine was just suspending and in the fish state of

sleep.

The preference for the tailwaters of Wilson is a function of

structure. On that part of the river/lake the water is wide

and shallow with thousands of acres of spawning flats. Some

of these are away from the main channel. During the spawn

the vast majority of eggs below Pickwick are washed away:

gates open and heavy flooding. On the upper portion of the

lake, recruitment is significantly better.

8-)

[frogtog]

Is there anything else anybody wants to tell me?

Any good motels? I have googled Florance but I can't tell if some of the places are safe to stay at. So any little detail will help. Thanks

[BenTheBassMan]

Florence is a pretty safe town.