Tough Times Suggestions?

[TOAJosh]

I live in middle TN and I've been fishing this lake for almost 6 months. I had decent success in the summer but not much this winter and this month had been pretty bad. The lake is a fairly large man made lake that's high pressure and water temps from 51to 54. The water is pretty clear. I've been throwing black&blue jigs,shaky head worms,medium crank baits, jerk baits and creature baits. I'm averaging about 4 fish a day but thr problem is I can never find a go to bait or pattern to fish. It seems like chunck rock walls are we're 60% of my fish are comming from. I would like to know what you guys would look for to fish in my situation such as what kind structure would you fish,depth,etc and what baits?

[bandsr4me20]

are you fishing percy priest?

[TOAJosh]

Yes

[Crestliner2008]

Try a light Carolina type rig. I use 6# test Fireline as my main with 6# fluoro leader and 1/0 Gammy wide bend, off-set hook. 1/8 oz. weight on a swivel with the 10" fluoro lead, to a 4 1/2" Roboworm. Slow reel it back. You will get bit.

[TOAJosh]

I will try that thank you. I considered trying live minows

[Lund Explorer]

Hopkins Spoon?

[bandsr4me20]

Priest is a tough lake period. When the west fork and east fork of the stones have current, try that with a jig or some kind of flipping lure. The spots that seem to do the best for me are where there are huge pieces of chunk rock. I like spring creek the best in the spring and fall. Pick up the tn fishing map that has the contour lines and it tells what lures are known to produce well on priest. Anything that resembles a gizzard shad color or crawfish color works. Overall, priest is just tough because it is fished so much. During the summer, there are tournaments just about every night and normally atleast two tournaments on saturday and one every sunday.

[Nitrofreak]

We have a lake simular in fasion to your lake here in Va. it too gets a ton of pressure even in the winter months.

I really slow down my presentation in the colder months as we all do, when a lot of pressure is added into the equation it becomes even more difficult if you do not exibit strong patience.

In the water temp and clearity you described, two things come to mind in my opinion, the jerk bait and the jig are my weapons of choice, longer pauses with the jb and a slower presentation with the jig.

It sound like you are using the correct baits and finding the correct location since you are catching fish, my opinion would be to suggest that you slow down a little more.

[Trickerie]

Considering clear water I would attempt to use more natural colored baits, and if its bright, something more brilliant, such as chartreuse, silver and gold.

[TOAJosh]

Priest is a tough lake period. When the west fork and east fork of the stones have current, try that with a jig or some kind of flipping lure. The spots that seem to do the best for me are where there are huge pieces of chunk rock. I like spring creek the best in the spring and fall. Pick up the tn fishing map that has the contour lines and it tells what lures are known to produce well on priest. Anything that resembles a gizzard shad color or crawfish color works. Overall, priest is just tough because it is fished so much. During the summer, there are tournaments just about every night and normally atleast two tournaments on saturday and one every sunday.

I agree with you about spring creek but I don't even know if you can get back there this time of year but I hear the water is always warmer.

[TOAJosh]

Thanks for all the suggestions i am most likely going to see if the alabama rig will show me any luck. I really need to work on all my presentations. YouTube here I come lol

[bandsr4me20]

Spring creek is gonna be one of the places to be here after this week of warm weather. It was already 54 degrees saturday so it is probably pushing 55 to 56 right now. When your in there right now, make sure you know exactly where your at. Five feet one way or the other in certain spots and your boat is not going to be a boat anymore. Also watch the first cut to the right out of fate sanders. There is a stump there that I have never seen before and I nearly crushed it the other day had my friend not said something.

[hokiebass804]

Really light line finesse fishing is a good idea... ive heard hair is a good thing to go to... I lost about a 6-7 lber on the alabama rig when i tried to lip him he threw the a rig back in my face. good luck!!

[TOAJosh]

Well this week it's been above 70 all week I plan on fishing saterday but it's only gonna be 56 and Friday it's going to rain. Do you think the rain the day before I go is going to turn the fish off?