Dale Hollow 12-26,27

Water temp still near 50 and clear. 26th was fairly slow for me, fished by myself from 10am till dark and picked up 2 over 19 and 2 shorter. Swung and missed on a couple.

27th was a slow morning bite but picked up later in the day. Brought a buddy who landed 2 over 21, and man was he charged. My best was an 18 incher. One of those days where nothing worked out for me. Lost one that got hung on the bottom, broke one off, 2 came unbuttoned during the struggle, swung and missed on at least 6.

All fish caught on live bait in 20 to 35 ft of water. 8lb test line and octopus hooks on spinning reels. Pretty spotty action, a lot of good spots gave up nothing, and some less likely ones worked better. Fished main lake points and flats near Hendricks Creek.

Hey, great report. How is the ramp at Hendricks for a two wheel drive truck and a 18ft. pontoon boat? I have loaded and unloaded here before in the winter time, never with this boat, but I know the lake is a little lower than normal. I would rather use the ramp at the state dock but it would be a little risky with my outfit. I probably could use the ramps closer to the dam but I am a little more familiar with the upper part of the lake and would like to stay close to the Ky. side. My motor does not have trim. Its a 50 horse but boat motor and all does not ride real deep in water. Thanks.

LH

You can probably use Hendricks without to much trouble unless the lake drops anymore. It's only a couple of feet deep right out from the ramp. We put in at state dock on Thur. and Fri. and it is a little rough with that drop off. We had 10 fish on Wed. with 2 on the fly and the rest on live bait. Had 8 on Thur. with 4 on the fly and rest on live bait. Caught 4 on Friday on live bait in about a half hour after trying the fly and the wind got crazy and got tired of being in the pouring rain and left around 10:00. Saw a lot of eagles this week. I think the fly bite is getting close to turning on. Biggest fish was about 4 and a half lbs and 21 inches. Several in the 3 to 4 lb range. Good luck. Bryan

sorry I didnt show, I was skunked the day b4, didnt want to se a repeat, had a chance to work those hounds, keep me on your call sheet

[QUOTE=LH;311512]Hey, great report. How is the ramp at Hendricks for a two wheel drive truck and a 18ft. pontoon boat? I have loaded and unloaded here before in the winter time, never with this boat, but I know the lake is a little lower than normal. I would rather use the ramp at the state dock but it would be a little risky with my outfit. I probably could use the ramps closer to the dam but I am a little more familiar with the upper part of the lake and would like to stay close to the Ky. side. My motor does not have trim. Its a 50 horse but boat motor and all does not ride real deep in water. Thanks.

LH[/QUOTE]

I just loaded out at Hendricks this afternoon, the lake is up a little over a foot and there is no problem launching or loading there.

I wouldn't try a pontoon at the state park, but the single lane beside the dock at Hendricks would work fine with an 18ft pontoon. Good luck to you phoenix.

I'm thoroughly addicted to smallmouth fishing at Dale, I'd be over there every day if I could get away with it. Could catch just as many fish on fake baits, but the live stuff is more fun and less work.

No prob Rick, I looked for you while I was missing fish and breaking hooks off on the wood and rocks on 'the point'. Maybe I'll catch you next time. My buddy landed 2 nice ones not too far from there. Dude sounded like a beer commercial..."Jim, I love you man." BTW, I saw some guys fishing what I think is a ridge out in the middle of the lake and next time I want to look for it.

Sorry LH, read the string wrong. Good luck to you anyway.