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I'll be going down there for the first time for the BFL Regional next week. I was hoping that someone on here could give me some info on the lake. I'm not looking for anyone's spots or anything. Those won't do me any good fishing as a co-angler, anyways. I would just like to know about how the lake lays out and what the predominant cover and forage are. Any info would be greatly appreciated!
[QUOTE=dabassking;538100]I'll be going down there for the first time for the BFL Regional next week. I was hoping that someone on here could give me some info on the lake. I'm not looking for anyone's spots or anything. Those won't do me any good fishing as a co-angler, anyways. I would just like to know about how the lake lays out and what the predominant cover and forage are. Any info would be greatly appreciated![/QUOTE]
Lots of rock, rock and more rock. and some red clay banks. I've always had success with soft-plastics and jigs. Others like my dad will swear by crankbaits, that they used to slay them on in the 70's and 80's. fall time can be a great time to target big schools of gizzard shad with a spinnerbait too. for my money, I would have three things tied on a white spinnerbait or swimbait if the wind picks up, a shaky head worm or a senko in a natural color, as the lake rarely gets stained or muddy, and a natural colored jig in browns n greens. also, wouldn't rule out early topwater. be prepared for lots of rocky bluffs and points, and a little red clay too. The lake is fairly deep with several areas over 100'. lately the smallmouth population has exploded, doubtful they will win you a tournament but could provide a kicker fish here and there. Let us know how it goes.
I love that lake. You never know what you will catch. I couldn't tell you how to fish for them this time of year, but my buddy and I got into them real good in March one year. It must have been pre spawn because they were stacked on a long tapering point in a creek arm. We would catch 2 or 3 each drift throwing Flitterbaits and burning them back. That was some skinny water, but we wore them out. It was a good mix of large jaws and small jaws. The biggest was a 4 lb smallie. Good luck.
Thanks for the responses. It sounds like I'll enjoy fishing the lake! Hopefully I come back with a story worth telling.
I got back from Cherokee last night which means I did not make the top 12 cut for today. It was a tough tournament overall. At least, it was for me. Thursday, I didn't catch a keeper, while my boater caught 2. Friday, I caught around 5 bass before noon. One was my only keeper. It was a largemouth that weighed 2-12. I also caught a smallmouth that was every bit of 17 and 15/16th". It just wouldn't touch 18" so I had to throw about 3 lbs of smallie back. That hurt... About mid day it started to rain pretty hard and our bite shut down. I finished 69th for the tournament. Not as good as I would have liked, but making it to the Regional in my first year was good enough for me.
As far as the top 12 go, there are 4 Kentucky guys fishing on the boater side and 3 fishing on the co-boater side. Congrats to them for making it to Saturday!