Fishing Report

Gibson County Lake
Water temperature: 60 degrees

Bass: Brent Smith, our contributor from Trenton, tested the water out at Gibson County Lake, last Friday.

He snagged 23 bass on a lipless crankbait in one-to-three-feet of water.

“All the fish were about one-pound, except for one 9.5 (pounder),” Brent said. “That seems to be the story lately – cover a lot of water and catch a lot of small fish – and every now and then, a really nice one.”

Brent added the store at Gibson County Lake has closed until March, 2018 – bathrooms are unavailable.

Pickwick Lake
Water temperature: 77 degrees. Elevation: 413.5 feet

Bass: “Bass fishing has slowed down overall, but some areas are still holding a large number of bass,” Clagett Talley said. “The best method for me over the last week has been fishing rip-rap banks with Strike King Series 3 crankbaits.

“Several colors will work right now, but I have been using a color called splatter back (and) most fishing trips boat 20-to-30 bass.”

Clagett, a tour guide from Savannah, said your rod and reel set up is important when fishing a crankbait.

“You’ll want to use a medium rod to allow the lure to move like it’s supposed to,” Clagett said. “I use a Lews Reel and medium action rod for this size crankbait. If you like to fish with live bait, you might be able to catch a a few six-pound plus smallmouth in Pickwick right now, but it is not always easy.”

Clagett said the best way to catch big smallmouth on live bait at Pickwick, is to take a throw net and catch live minnows.

“If the minnows are hard to find, you are starting off with a tough day,” Clagett said. “If the minnows are plentiful, you still have to locate good smallmouth. When the two come together, you can catch some of the biggest smallmouth bass you will see all year.”

Stripers: “I caught most of the stripers over the past three weeks on a Strike King, King Shad in a Sexy Shad color,” Clagett said. “This jointed baitfish style lure runs just under the surface of the water and it closely resembles the colors of a thread fin shad.”

Clagett said this bait has been a great producer of fish – at least this year.

“Another good lure to use for stripers any time of year has been the Kevin Van Dam Wild Shiner Jerkbait,” Clagett said. “I still expect to catch a few more before I stop striper fishing this year and move to something else.”

Catfish: Clagett said catfish have been active and easy to catch.

“I have caught them in the still water below the dam and in the current downstream,” Clagett said. “They are in 12-feet-of water and 35-feet of water, and at least all depths in between. I have (also) caught them on artificial catfish bait and nightcrawlers.

“When I fish with a bait hook I always with a Whisker Stickers hook by Strike King. It has two barbs to hold the bait on, and the fish hang on to it, as well.”

Want more from the “Mayor of Pickwick Lake?” Give Clagett Talley a call (731) 607-5266 or visit him online – www.pickwickareaguide.com

Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
Water temperature: 58 to 62 degrees. Water level: slightly above winter pool at 354.7. Water color: stained

Bass: “They are very slow with anglers switching to crappie just to feel the bite,” Darrell Van Vactor said. “Most bass anglers have thrown in the towel and are polishing up equipment for spring.”

Crappie: “Crappie have slowed a bit, but with this week’s weather prediction, they should improve,” Darrell said. “Go deeper right now, 14-to-20-feet. Using live bait and jigs tipped with live bait close to wood cover seems to be the preferred technique.”

Darrell said the bite is light so be ready to set the hook on those light nudges.

“If you are spider rigging, slow down,” Darrell said. “The fish are sluggish and want the bait presentation to be very slow to still before they will hit.”

Catfish: “They are slow, but a few are being caught below the dams,” Darrell said.”You need to take the bait with you to the tailgaters since it is very hard to find in both rivers.”

Darrell said the overall bite is changing almost daily right now, considering the changing weather conditions.

“The Northeast winds have finally given us a break, but the fish have yet not recovered from the rain, cold and blow of last week,” Darrell said. “That is about all that is happening this week, but the weather promises to be cool, but pleasant, so get out there and enjoy the colors.

“The trees are in full color now, and with lighter winds predicted it is a great time to enjoy being out there.”

David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
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