Dale Hollow

[know1]

Spent the last 3 weekends on the holler. Fishing has been tougher than expected but I am learning winter time on Dale slowly but surely. With the lake being somewhere around 12-14' higher than normal as well as being several degrees colder than normal It's been difficult finding the bass, especially from the kayak! About 3 weeks ago I went down with my dad and found a few bass in the thicker grass edges on small swimbaits, last week was pretty much a total bust for me, I found plenty of bait, grass and all the right stuff just couldn't get the bite dialed in.

This weekend was better, I managed to find a few quality smallmouth on channel banks near grass and more importantly situated on or very near main and secondary points. fish I've been seeing are anywhere from 15-30' and definitely off the banks. I've been playing with the float n fly, not any success YET, but I will keep trying. This week my best bites came on a Football jig and the A-Rig both fished excruciatingly slow. Water temps were anywhere from 49-51, with the lake being pulled really hard right now.

My patience really paid off Saturday with this 22" beast that came off a point on the FB jig in about 20'. I did not weigh her but have had many smallmouth at or over the 6lb mark and I feel safe to say that this one was between 5 3/4-6lbs.

I have to throw out a huge thank you to GeoFisher for really showing me what it takes to locate these big brown fish as well as Rick Hise for helping me narrow down some specifics. You gotta love the knowledge and access to knowledge that this message board provides. I've been a member here for years and can't imagine a better place to share info or meet great folks who love to fish! I plan on heading back at least 1 or 2 more times this winter and will let you all know how it goes!

Great report!

You're a braver man than I am to fish out of a kayak on Dale during the winter. I've considered it before, but couldn't make myself do it.

[MagikSmallie]

Great report!

You're a braver man than I am to fish out of a kayak on Dale during the winter. I've considered it before, but couldn't make myself do it.

It's fun, just have to dress right and be smart about weather etc. let me know and we'll go together. I may go Saturday if the weather isnt horrible.

[know1]

It's fun, just have to dress right and be smart about weather etc. let me know and we'll go together. I may go Saturday if the weather isnt horrible.

I can't go this weekend, but I'm off work from that point until Jan. 2. I could maybe go during that time. Do you ever try Cumberland? I think you could easily get to a few decent spots near the Pleasant Grove ramp without too much paddling.

My Kayak isn't nearly as nice as yours. It's a pretty basic sit-in with not modifications.

I don't think it would be tough to cast the FNF, but landing fish and dealing with retying, etc. might be a pain.

[ON3 3Y3D WILLI3]

I can't go this weekend, but I'm off work from that point until Jan. 2. I could maybe go during that time. Do you ever try Cumberland? I think you could easily get to a few decent spots near the Pleasant Grove ramp without too much paddling.

My Kayak isn't nearly as nice as yours. It's a pretty basic sit-in with not modifications.

I don't think it would be tough to cast the FNF, but landing fish and dealing with retying, etc. might be a pain.

I agree, landing when using anything over a 9ft leader in a yak would be a circus and I’d likely end up in the water. Also not much room on a yak for a heater. Last year when I launched on Jan 1st it was 7 degrees with below 0 windchill. If I didn’t have the heater at my feet there would be no way my fingers could work to retie. I usually treat my rod eyelets with a little dab of vasoline to prevent them from freezing up, much cheaper than using fish dope which I’ve done before with success. Ive also used a dropper with rubbing alcohol.

I’ll be down beginning on Jan 1st staying at Hollow Log Cabins and lighting out of Holly Creek each morning before sun up.

Good luck to all you wintertime fishermen and be safe out there.