Fishing Report

Gibson County Lake
Water temperature: mid 80s

Bass: “Bass are still hanging around the edges of the main body of the lake,” Trenton’s Brent Smith said. “Casting spoons are doing well on sunny days … dark purple, or dark blue plastics around the timber with overcast skies.”

Crappie: “Crappie fishing has been slow, but catfish and shellcrackers have been hitting on red worms,” Brent said.

Pickwick Lake
Water temperature: 86 Elevation 414 feet

Bass: “With the generation flow, and a lot of time on the water lately, I have been able to produce a large number of bass over the last two weeks,” Clagett Talley said. “Anytime we have an overcast (day) and plenty of water flowing from the Dam, you can pick up several bass on top-water baits along the river banks and eddies.”

A tour guide from Savannah, Clagett said the most productive baits have been walking baits and popping baits – namely the Strike King Spittin’ King.

“The quality of bass have picked up as well,” Clagett said. “Last week we boated some over five pounds. Big Strike King Series 5 and 6 crankbaits are working very well.”

Clagett said the most productive places are on ledges where you can cover shallow water and deep water in the same cast – dramatic drop-offs.

“We are starting to pick up more and more fish on plastic frogs in grassy areas,” Clagett said. “The grass is starting to really mat up in a few places and it is like a fish factory right now. Night fishing is still about the same but like anything else, if the water flow slows down, the bite will be (slow) as well.”

Stripers: “The top-water bite is good,” Clagett said. “Big popping baits or walking baits are picking up several fish. Drifting skip jack minnows is a sure way to pick up big fish.”

Clagett said he took three people on a fishing tour earlier this week, and each person caught several fish, with most fish weighing in over eight pounds. He added on five different occasions, they had three fish on the line at the same time.

“The water gets a little crowded and very dangerous a few times over a busy weekend,” Clagett said. “So watch out for weekend traffic. Along with heavy boat traffic you get lines crossing, but with a little consideration and understanding, this is not an issue.

“But if you are new to fishing below the Dam, then it most likely (will) be the most frustrating way you can possibly fish.”

Clagett said there are several different laws that are enforced below the Dam that differ from any other areas in Pickwick.

“From what I have seen, the TWRA has been busy enforcing these laws, and for safety reasons that is a really good thing,” Clagett said. “You can pick up a free fishing guide at most fishing stores and read over these laws and educate yourself on limits of fish as well. Most of it is actually interesting.”

Catfish: “I have witnessed a lot of catfish caught below the Dam where I striper fish,” Clagett said. “Most catfishermen that I see are using one-ounce sinkers with dead skip jack or cut bait. I would say the most common store bought bait for catfish are nightcrawlers and shad guts.”

Bream: “If small fish are appealing to you, or you just want to take a kid fishing you can almost count on catching several bream,” Clagett said. “Any shady area along the lake or river edge can be a good place to catch a large number of bream. Small red worms work well, but the most common bait would be crickets, (and) early morning hours are usually the best time to fish.”

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

Kentucky Lake/Lake Barkley
Water temperature: 83 and 87 degrees

Bass: “Now that the Eclipse has passed, we can hopefully get back to normal,” Darrell Van Vactor said. “Largemouth are very slow, but improving a little with recent current draw and (they) are being found on main lake ledges and drops at the mouth of the major creeks. Large chrome cranks, shaky heads and Carolina rigged worms are doing the best.”

Darrell Van Vactor is the Operations Manager Crappie USA/Cabela’s King Kat Trail in Benton, Kentucky.

Crappie: “Crappie are picking up in the mouths of major bays with some good catches coming in on Jenko crank baits in “love struck” color,” Darrell said. “Best depths are 17-to-20-feet, and trolling speeds of 1.8 to 2.1 miles per hour.”

Darrell said the size of the fish has improved just in the past few days and several limits are being taken.

White bass: “They are slow on main lake drops and feeder creeks just off the main channel,” Darrell said. “Jigging spoons in white or silver have been doing the best. Let the spoon to the bottom, jerk the bait up three-feet, and let it flutter back down. The fish will always hit on the fall.”

Catfish: “Catfish are doing really well on main lake drops in 25-to-40-feet of water using cut skipjack,” Darrell said. “Several really large fish have been taken this week.”

Bass Tournament

The Henderson County Bass Anglers Thursday Night Bass Tournament at Beech Lake will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., today. Visitors are welcome to participate. For more information, call (731) 695-1654.

(PHOTO: Lake Graham)
David Thomas, Twitter– @DavidThomasWNWS
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