Dale Hollow..........Largemouth

[elnutsmalljaws]

Alright guys and gals, my buddy calls me today and says he signed us up for a tourney on Dale Hollow in a couple of weeks. Heck of a good guy to sign me up before asking (He knew there was no way I would turn the invite down in the first place) I can't believe I am going to drive 4 1/2 hours one way to the Holy Grail of Smallmouth Fisheries and try to locate 5 largemouth or spots before trying for the 6lb kicker Smallie but that is what we will have to do to win the tourney. I have NEVER wet a line for a greenfish in my life at Dale and will be completely out of my element. I hope to think I have helped out my fair share on this board in regards to Smallies and welcome a return on the favor from any of you Largemouth Guru's. Tourney is Feb 19th and I plan on going down to fish the 17th and 18th to attempt a few things. Never verticle jigged a spoon in my life but may have to resort to this if necessary. Looking for any help.

Tight Lines

[redneckshadrap]

Why change...the weather is going to play right into your hands.....Put about 20lbs of brownfish on the fly.

Billy



Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
redneckshadrap@insightbb.com

[opie13]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Feb-03-06 AT 11:16PM (EST)[/font][p]The bad thing is I think you can only keep two smallmouth can't you. One over 21 and one under 16. I guess you could keep four between you though.

[rudeZ20]

Elnut,

Remember the silver buddy is your friend! Good luck!

Marty

[elnutsmalljaws]

I don't think we can weigh in 20lb of Smallies unless we catch a 10 pounder apiece or an 8 and a 12(mine) (though that sounds great to me, to heck with the tourney bring on the record book) He did not give me the tourney rules for he was catching a flight to Lake Tahoe for a week of skiing and gambling. I will find out if it is a Brownfish tourney or the normal tourney when he gets back. Maybe one of you Toyota guys from Georgetown may be reading this, that is planning on fishing the same tourney could chime in and give me the regs before he gets back. My guess is it will be a Buddy tournament with 5 biggest legal per boat. I would say I will be looking for spots and greens to support the sack. Hoping to pull a 21" Brownie out of my honey hole that should go over 6 like the last 2 I caught out of the same hole. Fishing has been TOUGH at Dale ever since 3rd week of December, hoping she turns on soon.

Tight Lines

[LH]

I have a picture somewhere in the photo gallery where I accidentally caught two largemouths in Feb. a year or two ago and each one was between 4 and 5lbs. They were caught on a channel bluff while I was drifting minnows for smallies up in a creek. I would say your spoons, silver buddies, maybe a little george type bait would be a good choice. On the same bluff right after those two I had one to throw the hook after fighting him for a minute or two that put the fight of the two largemouths to shame. If you know of any brushpiles you might try jigging a spoon over it for spots, this pattern works at certain times late and early in the year. If a person could just get a limit of nice spots, might put him in a decent position in a tournament. Good luck, and keep us informed.

[cummins1]

Who,s putting the tour. on that your fishing the 19th.

[3sons]

Hey Elnut

Was done at the Hollow last weekend and observed a tournament going out of Horse Creek. I was curious as to how it was ran. Was told that it was the usual limit for black bass on the lake. We didn't stay around after the tourny to find out the results but I phoned back down to Horse Creek marina this week to pick up the details. If I remember it all right I believe that 2 spots and one smallmouth (under 16") won that tournament of I believe he said 28 boats. Seems like he said total weight was around 9 pounds. The spots were caught on the silver buddy and I'm not sure of the smallmouth. As tough of conditions we fished in down there over our 3 day trip, that 9 pounds of fish sounds pretty good to me. We were down there in December also and had much better luck.

If I can give any advice at all we seemed to have the best action on Mitchell Creek. We also gave the area up by the dam (Indian, Horse Creek, Dale, etc.) a good work out but didn't fare as well. All told it was very tough. Hope things change soon as I would like to get back down at least one more time during the 'fly season'.

Mike

[thebassman30]

EL~
I catch more spots on jerkbaits and little tail spinner bait made by Charlie Brewer. Lately...it's been on the grass..or what's left of it. Last trip we caught a rogue Largemouth that looked like it was raised by smallmouth. It had all these wierd spots on it's back like a smallmouth....it was about 3.5 lbs.

However, I agree with the previous post in that they're going to finally move to the bluff walls. You should be able to put a nice sack of smallies and spots together if you stick with the fly.

One more thing....specifically on the 12 you'd like to catch and I was thinking about your recent post on your KY trip. Do you really think the next WR smallie will come from KY lake like so many say? I've never caught the size down there that I do at Dale. Numbers maybe.....they need a slot like Dale. I've broke off some that might have pushed 6-7 range, but nothing even near 10.

[bassmaster]

What's your E-mail, I have some info for you. Hope it will help.
Tim
bassmaster

[eatsleepfish]

Hey bro-in-law, there is one factor to this tourney on the 19th that you need to find out first before you begin to plan your strategy. A lot of clubs will only let you use a rod that is 8ft. or less in length. That cuts out the FNF unless you go and by an 8ft FNF rod. This 8ft rule is pretty standard in most organized tourneys (BASS, FLW, KBF,) and alot of clubs adopt certain rules and regs from the bigger circuits. Maybee you will get lucky on this one.

remember.. eatsleepfish

[redneckshadrap]

DUH!....LOL!

2 10lbers aint unheard fellows....LOL!!!!!!

I know some of the Toyota fellows that are a coming that way. Going the Herrington tomorrow to fish with one of them.

Billy


Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
redneckshadrap@insightbb.com