Club classic location?

[fishman47346]

I am looking for advice on good places to have our bass club classic the third week in October. I am the tournament director and need to decide on a location soon. There are many lakes in mind but I just haven't decided yet. maybe you can help...

The location can be up to 6 hours drive from east central Indiana. Of course I'm looking for a place that good catches are possible.
We'll only have around 6 boats so it don't have to be big, but big is ok too.

Some Ideas I have had are...Ky Lake, Norris lake (TN), Cherrokee(TN), Ohio river (Rocky Point) Of course the obvious larger lakes here in IN like Patoka, Monroe, but I'm, thinking a little different than those two since we usually fish them during the regular season but they are not out of the question.

Comments on the ones above?
other sugestions? docks, lodgeing?


Thanks in advance for you help.

[fishman47346]

NO RESPONSE YET? HAS ANYONE OUT THERE FISHED CHEROKEE IN TN?

[Bandit1]

I would say Barren River Lake, but the Corps usually starts drawing down the lakes in KY on the 15th of Oct.

Jason

[idbefishing]

How about Wawasee? not too far from east central IN, unless you guys fished that during the reg. season too. The third week of October then you should have the lake to yourself, no pleasure boater to dealt with.

[Fishhead]

It really depends on what your guys want. North/south/big/small, etc..

For southern big waters, Dale Hollow, Guntersville, Cumberland, Kentucky/Barkley, Barren River Lake all have a good fall bite. KY/Barkley and Barren River will be in the fall/winter drawdown but tradtionally the bite is still good. They keep Guntersville at pool at year, no real winter drawdown to speak of. However, Cumberland has a big drawdown and the bite really does not pick up during the day until that water cools off so C-land would have to be later in the fall to get the best bite, so C-land might not be your best choice. Dale has a good bite in the fall, you have the slot limit on smallmouths at Dale but the 15" LM and 12" spotted bass size limits are OK and they should be biting pretty good by the time you guys go.


Northern big waters...have you considered going up to the big lakes? Lake Erie or Michigans northern Peninsula? If you dont want water that big then how about St.Claire, all have an awesome fall smallmouth bite. St Claire is a little more protected and you can also go into the Detroit River.

If your looking for smaller waters, you can go to the KY Div F&W and they have a listing of smaller lakes in KY with fishing outlooks, like Lake Malone, Rough River, Nolin, etc. Then you can query the KY Board for suggestions on the smaller KY lakes and get info from folks that fish those lakes regularly.

[fishman47346]

Thanks for the reply.
It really doesn't matter big or small.
We have fished Wawasee a few weeks ago, not bad, but probably will want to try somthing different.

We fished St,Clair in July, (very good) and have considered it, however we did fish it in October a few years ago and had terrible weather and poor fishing. Not's not out of the question but a little concerned about the norntern lakes in late October because of iffy weather?

I may try the KY board like you said. (Good Idea) I'll see what they have to say about those likes you mentioned. I though maybe someone on this board may have info on KY and TN.

We did try Guntersville a few years ago in Nov. We thought it sounded great, weater was good, We had high exspectaitons, but over half the fied blanked and those that did catch were few. Maybe we just hit it on a bad weekend or We don't know how to fish those waters?

[Fishhead]

October on the Northern Lakes can be a flip of the coin regarding weather. But my choice would be Dale, however I am bias for the Dale Smallmouths, lol! Guntersville in the fall can be good but you have to know where to fish. The weedbeds are starting to die off in the fall and if you know where to find good weeds you can get some real toads, but as I said you have to know where to go.

Last year our club went to Dale for our Classic in early October and nearly everyone caught fish. If your club will allow you to weigh 12 in Spotted Bass you guys could have a real field day at Dale in late October. The spots are very plentiful at Dale and very active in the fall. There is a great topwater bite there in the fall for all species, especially the spots! The Largemouth have to be 15 inches and should be in a pretty good fall bite by then too. The Smallmouth makes it even more interesting considering the slot limit, its tough when you catch a 5lb smallie and have to let it go!!! You are allowed 1 fish less then 16" (the minimum slot limit) and 1 Smallmouth over 21 inches. The water temps should be cooling down and and day time temps should be moderate by then. If thats where you decide to go check out Star Point Marina for lodging. They have good, reasonable cabins, nice covered slips with electric and are located near the center of the lake to access both the southern and northern ends for those that want to run. (www.starpointresort.com) I think they close up the marina at the end of October, but even if they do there are plenty of other places to stay.

Good luck wherever you choose to go.

[fishman47346]

I have thought about Dale hollow. That ranks up there in my top choices right now. About the slot...are you saying you are allow one "smallmouth" under 16 and one over 21"? Or only one bass period under 16?

It's been several years sice I've been there.

[Fishhead]

For Smallmouth you are allowed 2 fish a day. However, 1 fish must be under 16 inchs, the tail cannot touch 16. The other fish must measure over 21", the tail must break 21, not just touch 21.

If your club uses a minimum length requirement, many do, like say 12 inchs, then the smaller fish must be 12" or greater but UNDER 16". A Smallmouth is a nice bonus to any bag in a T at Dale, but if your fishing a T on Dale the smart money goes for LM or Spots, especially if your club allows 12 inch Spots to be measured. By the end of October the schooling action should be in full swing, you can catch a bunch of Spots if you find them schooling on the surface. That time of the year you might find all 3 species schooling!

Great now I'm getting the Dale fever, LOL! Good luck if you go and make sure you leave a report. There a lot of us that head to Dale after Nov for the late season action and the FnF bite!

[fishman47346]

What about Old Hickory in TN? Anyone been there? got any comments?

[Topwater2004]

Throw them a curve ball.

Try Rend Lake in south central Illinois.

It has Interstate access and motels and restaurants with in a few miles.

Has big bass too...

Benton, Illiois.

[Fishhead]

Not sure about Old Hickory, try posting on the Tn. Board, those guys are usually pretty helpful and could give you good info on the Tn. impoundments.

Our club classic is being held at Douglas in eastern Tn. I've done quite a bit of research on it and the fall bite is usually pretty good, but they draw the water way down and most of the visible cover is out of the water. So I'm expecting the bass to be suspended on or over bottom structure and changes in the structure. Theres also the fall schooling activity as well.

Check your PM, I sent you a private message.