dale hollow state ramp

you can launch with out any trouble at the state ramp your down to one lane, conditions demand you do it deliberate and slowly, not seen any full size rigs have an issue.
lots of fish caught this week end on live bait, some fellows from Winchester in a club tournament (casting, had fish early) water temp was 58 on sunday.
Level steady... I caught a few bluegil but had to work for them I fished red worms near grass lines, free line and bobber, any help here thanks.
I was told a smouth over 6 was weighed in on the live bait tourn at the state dock, Dock Master Robin Jefferson passed this along to me, it was passed along to him also, maybe accurate

The guy at Strange bait shop in B'ville told me there were 3 over 21" weighed in at the live bait tournament, he didn't say anything about weights. Not that big a stretch to figger 6 lbs for a SM above the slot.

I launched my 21 ft bass boat at the State Park Saturday. It's a little dicey with the unlevel busted up concrete, but doable. As Rick said be deliberate and careful. I'd recommend allowing a little extra time, there's a good bit of contention for that one lane.

Fished shiners on circle hooks with limited success. I did miss a pig that looked over 21 when she surfaced to spit out my shiner and hook. Another fish story.

Were you drift fishing with live bait or fishing on the bottom? I'm hoping to head down after Thanksgiving and try for a few. Thanks Bryan

Was using a slip bobber rig at 24 ft deep.

I use 3 methods drift sometimes focus on 30 ft range minimum.

I have banks Ill pull up on and cast out the back with the bail open.

some banks will fish from the bank as crazy as it sounds, and keep up with anyone using livebait.

I enjoy the drifting the best, I use a 3-0 wire 1214 aberden hook (sp)
bronze, 8lb copoly mare (sp) line spinning reel.

While IM at it anyone who can find this hook in bronze ill pay the big bucks to get it

I'm just curious to know when all of the 18", 19", 20", 20 1/2", 20 3/4" and 3lb, 4lb, 4 1/4lb and 4 3/4lb smallies are ever grow up to be more than 21" and more than 6lb?

I made it to Dale twice this year, the spring trip was much more productive than when I went this past weekend, but all in all we had anywhere from decent to good days no matter which time of the year we went. Now don't get me wrong fella's, I ain't gonna keep a dag gone small mouth just because Fish and Wildlife says I can...but at the same time I would at least like to have the option of keeping some smallies if I wanted to. It just seems to me that with as many fish as I brought to the boat this year I would have thought there would have been a keeper in the bunch (even though I wouldn't have kept it UNLESS it was what I considered to be a fish of a life time for ME).

So what do you all think, do you all think those 20 1/2" brown fish are gonna make it past 21" anytime soon?

Don't know the growth rates at Dale Chub, but I do believe in the slot. IMO it keeps the pressure down and more SM out of the frying pan. Nice to able to go over there and swing for the fence. The pig mama brown fish are definitely there, and one a these days the Holler's going to give one over 7 up to me.

Hey Rick, how can I get in touch with you? Will try sending you a PM.

email [email protected],
270-433-7891

We put in at the state park yesterday, 11/14, without incident. Yes the lake is low and yes the slab is tilted quite a bit, but we launched two Rangers, 19 and 21 footers without any problem at all.

The fishing was a little slow. Our boat caught three 15" LM, one 18.5" SM, one 20.5" SM, several KY's and some slot SM. 16 total caught on Spook, spinnerbait, jig, drop shot and shakey head.

The other boat had two 17" KY's, 6 or 7 smallmouth from 12-16 inches, and a quick release 5 plus SM. KY's were caught on a jig and all SM were on a Sammy for him.

Fishing should get much better but for now it is tough.

[quote=Bill Day;308337]We put in at the state park yesterday, 11/14, without incident. Yes the lake is low and yes the slab is tilted quite a bit, but we launched two Rangers, 19 and 21 footers without any problem at all.

The fishing was a little slow. Our boat caught three 15" LM, one 18.5" SM, one 20.5" SM, several KY's and some slot SM. 16 total caught on Spook, spinnerbait, jig, drop shot and shakey head.

The other boat had two 17" KY's, 6 or 7 smallmouth from 12-16 inches, and a quick release 5 plus SM. KY's were caught on a jig and all SM were on a Sammy for him.

Fishing should get much better but for now it is tough.[/quote]

16 fish and that is slow???. I would call that a banner day myself and jump through hoops grinning:D if I had a day on the hollow that good the way my catching has been lately.

[QUOTE=Bill Day;308337]We put in at the state park yesterday, 11/14, without incident. Yes the lake is low and yes the slab is tilted quite a bit, but we launched two Rangers, 19 and 21 footers without any problem at all.

The fishing was a little slow. Our boat caught three 15" LM, one 18.5" SM, one 20.5" SM, several KY's and some slot SM. 16 total caught on Spook, spinnerbait, jig, drop shot and shakey head.

The other boat had two 17" KY's, 6 or 7 smallmouth from 12-16 inches, and a quick release 5 plus SM. KY's were caught on a jig and all SM were on a Sammy for him.

Fishing should get much better but for now it is tough.[/QUOTE]

What is your dropshot bait of choice?