Current effects?

[CJHooker]

I understand that current is a good thing when it comes to fishing deep on ledges,points,and humps in the summer.What I am wondering is where the fish will possition when there is lack of current or when there is good current.For example,do fish often suspend when there is lack of current or do they sit on bottom?Does it even have anything to do with it at all?

[Chris]

Fish always position themselves nose into current. Without current fish will suspend over the structure if  bait is hanging over the point or hump they are active. If you see fish just suspending without bait in the area they are neutral or inactive.When you see fish hugging the bottom they are inactive. When you see fish on the up current side of the structure they are active. If you see fish on the down current side they are neutral.

[CJHooker]

Thanks!That makes alot of since.It would have took alot of thought to figure that out.I'm going through alot of changes in how my fish are positioning and I thought it probally had something to do with fluctuating current.Thanks again.

[D.Taylor]

you fishing in a lake or river?

[CJHooker]

A lake om the Tennessee River chain.

[roadwarrior]

jjcoinsky,

I too fish the Tennessee River. Check the TVA website for predicted releases for the dam ABOVE the lake you are fishing. I don't actually fish the lakes much, I fish below Pickwick Dam. Regardless of where you are fishing on this system, current counts.

If you are a recreational fisherman, stay home or do something else when TVA is not generating. I'm not kidding. If you're in a tournament or just have to take someone fishing, focus on largemouth and Kentuckys in the big coves, away from the main lake. Your traditional spots (grass, stump fields, trees, docks and the mouths of tributary creeks) may produce some of those big lazy largemouth that reside back in the slack water. Sorry, you're still not going to fair too well.

Current is everything on the river system. It stirs up the water and stimulates bait fish which in turn activates all the predators. Without current all you can hope for is a little luck.

[CJHooker]

RW,thanks for the useful info.I fish Kentucky and Barkley lakes.I do keep a close eye on the water release schedules.Last week the TVA was spilling about 46,000 cubic ft. The fish were biting well.This week they have cut that in half.All that rain water has drained and I don't think anything is going to change  by Saturday.I fish the BFL as a co-angler,but this go around there is a chance I don't get in as a co-angler so I am going to give the boaters side a shot.I just started fishing tourneys this year.The reason for my initial question is I've noticed this past week the bite has calmed down alot.I've also noticed more fish suspending out off the humps and ledges in deeper water on my depthfinder.I'm pretty sure the lack off current has had something to do with it.What you said about fishing the slack water may be my best bet,I guess I got three days to find out!Thanks again and Good Luck out on the water!