04-26-2006, 05:14 PM
[font "Verdana"][size 2]April 25, 2006 [/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]CENTER HILL[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) -[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] Fishing is good. The water temperature is 70; lake is rising. Floating worms and flutes are producing well, while fishing the back of the creeks around cover, in 1-5 feet of water. Crappie fishing is fair while fishing jigs and minnows around lay down trees in 2-5 feet of water. Walleye fishing is slow with a few fish being caught between Pates Ford and Webbs Camp, while trolling shadracks and big crankbaits in 6-12 feet of water.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]CHICKAMAUGA[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) -[/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie numbers are decreasing. The crappie are starting to scatter and become more elusive for most anglers. Some anglers will start to catch more fish than they have caught in the last week or two as they start to fish staging areas used by crappie as they migrate to deeper water. Knowledge of the lake and structure locations in areas adjacent to the spawning areas will become a key factor in the success of most anglers. Minnows and jigs will both be used by most anglers. Some crappie can still be caught in very shallow water, but as each day passes the balance will swing to the deeper water. Bluegill are as close to the bank as the can get. Large numbers of bluegill have moved up with the high water level. Crickets, worms, wax worms, and small jigs are all being used to catch bluegill. Shellcrackers are being caught very shallow also, but it seems the larger numbers are still waiting to move in. Shellcrackers are not as brave as bluegill and they tend to seek the most isolated and protected areas. Jigs and crickets are just a couple of lures or baits to use. There are several methods and techniques that can be used. Shellcracker fishermen have their own locations and techniques and have become very secretive about both. Bass are spawning. Some heavy fish are being caught. I have been observing one bed now for about a week. Flippers are catching as many fish as anyone on the lake. Spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and topwater lures are catching a lot of fish in the very shallow backwater areas. Most of these fish are smaller fish. Plastic worms are offering casters the better chance for bigger fish. Striped bass are being caught in the tailwaters on shad, jigs, and large jerk baits. Dusk is the best time to fish. Crappie and bass fishermen are catching large catfish in the sloughs as they fish for their intended species.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]DALE HOLLOW[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) - [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]Fishing is good. The water temperature is 68 degrees; lake is slowly rising. Bass are spawning. Some good fish have been caught on flukes and top water baits while fishing near shore around cover. A few good smallmouth are being caught on live bait and grubs while fishing gravel flat in 6-12 feet of water on the main lake. Crappie fishing has slowed down with a few crappie being caught on small jigs around laydown trees in the creeks.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]WATTS BAR [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]- (4/25/06) - [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing is really good for most folks, however, the most productive period for most fishermen may be over. The greater number of crappie will be in water depths of ten feet or less for a little while before they migrate back to the deeper water. Stumps and brush that are near the spawning areas, but in areas with a little more water depth will start to be more productive each day. Electronics and the fishermen's expertise in using them will become a greater key to the success of most fishing trips. Minnows and jigs are equally effective. Most fishermen will catch all they can on jigs and then start using minnows for another fish or two. The waters on the upper end will allow for easier catches longer as most fish will be caught shallower for a longer period of time. The reason for this is simply topography. Stripers are being caught in the tailwaters below Ft. Loudoun Dam and in the Clinch River. The heavier fish seem to be coming from the Clinch River. There have been reports of some heavy fish being caught at night in the head of the major creeks. Almost all methods and lures that are normally used for striped bass are being used. As always, live bait rules. Bass anglers are also catching a lot of fish in shallow areas. Bass are trying to spawn. Fluctuating water conditions are causing some concern. Flippers are catching as many fish as anyone. Plastics are catching more than the old standard jig. Plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and most surface lures are catching their share of fish. The key for success is to fish the isolated spots that are frequently used by spawning fish. Depending on the water levels, the fish may be pushed up into the very shallow water or backed off slightly to the small ledges, stumps, or brush located nearby.[/size][/font]
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[font "Verdana"][size 3]CENTER HILL[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) -[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] Fishing is good. The water temperature is 70; lake is rising. Floating worms and flutes are producing well, while fishing the back of the creeks around cover, in 1-5 feet of water. Crappie fishing is fair while fishing jigs and minnows around lay down trees in 2-5 feet of water. Walleye fishing is slow with a few fish being caught between Pates Ford and Webbs Camp, while trolling shadracks and big crankbaits in 6-12 feet of water.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]CHICKAMAUGA[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) -[/size][/font] [font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie numbers are decreasing. The crappie are starting to scatter and become more elusive for most anglers. Some anglers will start to catch more fish than they have caught in the last week or two as they start to fish staging areas used by crappie as they migrate to deeper water. Knowledge of the lake and structure locations in areas adjacent to the spawning areas will become a key factor in the success of most anglers. Minnows and jigs will both be used by most anglers. Some crappie can still be caught in very shallow water, but as each day passes the balance will swing to the deeper water. Bluegill are as close to the bank as the can get. Large numbers of bluegill have moved up with the high water level. Crickets, worms, wax worms, and small jigs are all being used to catch bluegill. Shellcrackers are being caught very shallow also, but it seems the larger numbers are still waiting to move in. Shellcrackers are not as brave as bluegill and they tend to seek the most isolated and protected areas. Jigs and crickets are just a couple of lures or baits to use. There are several methods and techniques that can be used. Shellcracker fishermen have their own locations and techniques and have become very secretive about both. Bass are spawning. Some heavy fish are being caught. I have been observing one bed now for about a week. Flippers are catching as many fish as anyone on the lake. Spinnerbaits, small crankbaits and topwater lures are catching a lot of fish in the very shallow backwater areas. Most of these fish are smaller fish. Plastic worms are offering casters the better chance for bigger fish. Striped bass are being caught in the tailwaters on shad, jigs, and large jerk baits. Dusk is the best time to fish. Crappie and bass fishermen are catching large catfish in the sloughs as they fish for their intended species.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]DALE HOLLOW[/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2] - (4/25/06) - [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]Fishing is good. The water temperature is 68 degrees; lake is slowly rising. Bass are spawning. Some good fish have been caught on flukes and top water baits while fishing near shore around cover. A few good smallmouth are being caught on live bait and grubs while fishing gravel flat in 6-12 feet of water on the main lake. Crappie fishing has slowed down with a few crappie being caught on small jigs around laydown trees in the creeks.[/size][/font]
[font "Verdana"][size 3]WATTS BAR [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]- (4/25/06) - [/size][/font][font "Verdana"][size 2]Crappie fishing is really good for most folks, however, the most productive period for most fishermen may be over. The greater number of crappie will be in water depths of ten feet or less for a little while before they migrate back to the deeper water. Stumps and brush that are near the spawning areas, but in areas with a little more water depth will start to be more productive each day. Electronics and the fishermen's expertise in using them will become a greater key to the success of most fishing trips. Minnows and jigs are equally effective. Most fishermen will catch all they can on jigs and then start using minnows for another fish or two. The waters on the upper end will allow for easier catches longer as most fish will be caught shallower for a longer period of time. The reason for this is simply topography. Stripers are being caught in the tailwaters below Ft. Loudoun Dam and in the Clinch River. The heavier fish seem to be coming from the Clinch River. There have been reports of some heavy fish being caught at night in the head of the major creeks. Almost all methods and lures that are normally used for striped bass are being used. As always, live bait rules. Bass anglers are also catching a lot of fish in shallow areas. Bass are trying to spawn. Fluctuating water conditions are causing some concern. Flippers are catching as many fish as anyone. Plastics are catching more than the old standard jig. Plastic worms, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and most surface lures are catching their share of fish. The key for success is to fish the isolated spots that are frequently used by spawning fish. Depending on the water levels, the fish may be pushed up into the very shallow water or backed off slightly to the small ledges, stumps, or brush located nearby.[/size][/font]
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