Tough Conditions, Any Suggestions?

[roadwarrior]

Sixty degrees and sunny, got to get over to the Tennessee River tomorrow but we have a challenging situation: TVA opened the flood gates earlier this week, 140,000 cfs running through the dam! Anyone faced these conditions?

Suggestions are appreciated.

[BD]

Good night nurse, they were generating hard lol.

I find fishing when they have the generators running to be easier down stream quite a ways, and fish where the current is reversing.

[BD]

or will be. I need to read closer :

[bassin4life]

If i were you since its a pretty rough current that was passing threw itas deff gonna be muddy fish pockets that are real shallow find a rocky bottom to the northside should be warmer then the main part of this river...fish as shallow as possible look for baitfish...not much help good luck...also the bass are prob gonna be faced in the opposite direction of the current so try and find a bend

[5bass]

If the water is in the bushes and on the banks,I'd definitely go shallow with a spinnerbait first.Then I would tone it down to a Carolina Rig,casted upstream of course,into any current breaks you can find.And don't rule out a rattlin' crankbait if it's real muddy(like it seems it will be)....good luck man.Be sure to post a report.

[Chris]

If you have any pockets, coves or old feeder creeks that come into the river I would fish them. If you go far enough back in a creek the higher river water will not effect them and might be cleaner water.

[roadwarrior]

It's Monday, so here's how it went: Eight open flood gates running 137,000 cfs through the dam, water temp 49.7 and stained but not muddy water, visibility 2-4 ft. Prespawn pattern, smaller males in shallow, swift water on the flats, bigger smallmouth holding in current, on structure in or near deep water.

Average results, fifteen smallmouth but none over 5 lbs. Lots of big white bass, drum, buffalo and one catfish. Plenty of action but no real prize.