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 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.

Clagett Talley 731-607-5266 or www.pickwickareaguide.com