Headed to Dale.... What are they doin?

Going somewhere next weekend.... Ky Lake or Dale Hollow and would like to know some tips on current patterns. Which would you choose and why?

Went down to Dale this past Thursday. We caught 5 all together, biggest was 2 1/2 but should have weighed 4lbs. I have never seen a smallie that skinny, especially from Dale. It's stomach was almost inverted, looked really weird. Sure hope nothing is wrong with the lake....maybe just from the warm water or something. We were catching most of them on worms and jigs on deep channel points, mostly in the main lake. Might wanna try swimming a jig some, seemed like they were more likely to take it on the way back in than on the bottom.

[QUOTE=mybentrod;428391]Going somewhere next weekend.... Ky Lake or Dale Hollow and would like to know some tips on current patterns. Which would you choose and why?[/QUOTE]

well how did you do up at potoka?

Doug caught a couple a day. Nothing like Nolin. I caught a couple around 3lbs. I'm looking for that special pole bend. Probably heading to Ky Lake. At the very least it's good for 30-40 Dinks. Keeps ya busy. I just dont feel like being humbled. Lol how's South Carolina?

[QUOTE=mybentrod;428391]Going somewhere next weekend.... Ky Lake or Dale Hollow and would like to know some tips on current patterns. Which would you choose and why?[/QUOTE]

Tough time to go to Dale. Fish are still moving from their summer homes to the shallows to put on the feedbags for winter. Transition period at Dale is always tough because everything looks so good that it is hard to stay on a pattern when you stumble across one. Dale will get better in a couple of weeks but KY Lake is better now. With water temps in the mid to low 70's at KY and the forecast as it is the temps will continue to cool. The shad will be moving to the backs of the bays in waves and my guess is there are shad everywhere from the ledges to the backs of the bays at KY. Big Jigs, C Rig creature baits on the ledges, texas rigged lizards - jigs - crankbaits - other shad imitating baits fished on the lead in channel banks up in the bays should produce as well. The shad are moving everyday so the bass are moving with them. Find the school of shad and the bass will not be far behind.

well my dam son,,didn`t take the boat,,and what does he do?????? takes me to see Lake Murry,,,pretty lake,,,now we are about 20 miles to santee cooper,,,it`s KILLIN me!,,lol pretty state..next time i`m bringing the boat!

Woody thanks buddy. I agree. Sept has sent me home tail between the legs. I am going to Ky for the upcoming weekend and then probably going back the following tues-fri. I WANT THAT MOUNTER!!!!!

[QUOTE=elnutsmalljaws;428482]Tough time to go to Dale. Fish are still moving from their summer homes to the shallows to put on the feedbags for winter. Transition period at Dale is always tough because everything looks so good that it is hard to stay on a pattern when you stumble across one. Dale will get better in a couple of weeks but KY Lake is better now. With water temps in the mid to low 70's at KY and the forecast as it is the temps will continue to cool. The shad will be moving to the backs of the bays in waves and my guess is there are shad everywhere from the ledges to the backs of the bays at KY. Big Jigs, C Rig creature baits on the ledges, texas rigged lizards - jigs - crankbaits - other shad imitating baits fished on the lead in channel banks up in the bays should produce as well. The shad are moving everyday so the bass are moving with them. Find the school of shad and the bass will not be far behind.[/QUOTE]

Elwood is dead on here! I fished barkley all day yesterday, and the better bite (bigger fish) was on the ledges in the mouths of bays. I would have stayed there all day, and probably had a very nice limit. However, about 11:00 - the wind went from nothing to 25 mph. There was not a ripple on the main lake, and all at once you could here the wind blowing down the lake. I stayed in the back of a bay for the rest of the day, and caught plenty of fish, with only a few keepers. Shad were so thick in spots, I could not get a clear depth read. Just be careful out on KY and Barkley and use the bouys. I was fishing a hump in the mouth of a bay that was less than 2 feet at the most shallow part.

Ky. lake all the way! Not even close...and I love Dale; but this time of year... can be very tough to catch fish on Dale. But if you want to catch more keepers go to Ky. Lake.
The only time I'd choose Dale over Ky. Lake...would be the months of Dec. / Jan. / Feb.
All other months would by Ky. Lake. Just my opinion.

[QUOTE=demodan;428585]Ky. lake all the way! Not even close...and I love Dale; but this time of year... can be very tough to catch fish on Dale. But if you want to catch more keepers go to Ky. Lake.
The only time I'd choose Dale over Ky. Lake...would be the months of Dec. / Jan. / Feb.
All other months would by Ky. Lake. Just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

I never knew the fish at Dale Hollow would bite in Dec / Jan / Feb. I think I will take up winter fishing at Dale Hollow this year in hopes of catching 1 or 2.