Tennesee’s Wild Side Weekly Fishing Report

Pickwick Lake Fishing Report June 24, 2009

Pickwick Lake Elevation 414
Water Temp. 81

If you get out early, as early as 5am you can catch fish on top water baits and have a lot of fun for about an hour and this is a good time to catch one or two quality bass before you have to start fishing deeper. After the top water bite dies down you can throw a crank bait in the same area you caught fish on top water baits and usually catch a few more. After that throw a the same crank bait, one that dives 8-12' along bluffs and open water ledges. Big fish are in deep water right now, I have caught fish on deep diving crank baits in 15-25' of water. In these areas a carolina rig with a green pumpkin Rage Tail and 1oz. Strike King Spinner bait also works well. White and chartreuse are the only two colors for spinnerbaits that I use in these deep water areas. If you like to fish at night, night fishing is starting to pick up. The most common bait to use is a spinnerbait with a single colorado blade. The night time spinnerbait needs to be black and it seems to help to have a red accent. The most common night time spinnerbait used on Pickwick right now is a Strike King Mid-Night Special, it will be in black with red or blue accents, I like to tip it with a red plastic trailer.

White bass

We still have time to catch a lot of white bass right now. They are running strong around the dam and in the Diamond Island area. They are hitting Strike King Series 3 Crankbaits and if they are hanging out in swift water I can usually catch a lot on jerk baits. Small white grubs are also accounting for a lot of white bass.

Stripers

Stripers are biting throughout the day. If you drift from the dam down to the first overhead power line that crosses the river with a live minnow and 1-3oz sinker you should cover the distance the stripers are running in. While striper fishing keep a top water bait or jerk bait handy because they have been busting the surface throughout the day for short burst but if you are close enough to get a bait to them you are sure to catch one.

For an online report you can go to TWRA website. You can access it through my website www.pickwickareaguide.com and you can also go there to access TVAs website and by doing so it will take you straight to Pickwick lake.

Compliments of Clagett Talley at Talley's Outdoors 731-607-5266 or www.pickwickareaguide.com