Dale Hollow - Info Requested

[shipoffools]

Heading to the Hollow on Monday. Could someone provide information concerning water temp, etc. I have read a lot of discussions on the FNF. Is the water still cool enough to use this method? Also, I have never used FNF. This may sound stupid, but is there any movement involved once your jig and bobber are in the water or do you basically just let it sit and let the breeze/current take care of everything. Thanks in avance for any assistance.

[thebassman30]

Go get some 3-4" jerkbaits and throw them on the channel breaks leading into flats with grass or main channel points w/ 10' shelves next to them. Call a few of the guides listed on this site...www.smljaw.com. A day with one of them might make your trip one to remember for a lifetime.

[plowboy]

The float-n-fly is a pretty inexpensive way to fish. The jigs are less than 2 bucks and a decent rod can be found for 40-50 bucks. I know some guides just use a long crappie rod and others just use a regular spinning rod but this makes casting a little harder when you have 12 ft. of line hanging on the end of the bobber. Its so late in the float-n-fly season I would hold off buying a rod right now unless you just want one. They are switching from the fly to jerk baits as thebassman30 says. Suspending rogues, deep diving supended rogues, x-raps, and I have had luck lately on baby hots lips in a redish color. This cold spell has slowed them down a bit but you can still catch them. Make sure to pause the jerkbait at least 5 seconds between each jerk. Thats when they usually hit it. I was able to catch 4 sub 20" fish on these baits Friday but it was rough out there. A 20 mph wind out of the North West and spitting rain made it pretty miserable. Thought I had a big one on the hot lips but turned out to be a 10 lb drum. Not sure if I'll mount it yet. Does anyone know where I can get a replica drum mount?

[thebassman30]

I just got off the phone....great reports of size. The fish are in transition. The guys I spoke with caught 7 and two over 5 on the FNF. The early bite is the deal. The also witness fish busting schools of shad. They've got to be looking for that jerkbait.

[thebassman30]

Drum? Dude...you are not right. Some times they'll fool ya! A 10lb. drum could've been a 13lb Smallie.

[thebassman30]

www.smalljaw.com

[arsmallie]

Thanks bassman30. the www helps dosn't it. Go to it and read new report on forum page (Day to remember) Boy we wacked em. I think we are in for a great Spring. arsmallie

[thebassman30]

Andrew,
Great posts....you are on top of things....the website is fantastic!

I'd like to get down there and do a trip with you when they are on that elusive top water bite...I've heard stories of two weeks here or there.....what's up with that anyway?
Mark

[arsmallie]

Good question. It will be during or after that time when they get on that spinnerbait when the fish are still looking up. That bite works one day and off the next it seems. But during that time start early and if it starts to work stay with it till it stops. It may be in the morning or if your lucky it might be all day. And you know when they come off that jerkbait they will want that spinnerbait. So it won't be long. Thanks again and good luck.

[thebassman30]

Great! Maybe we can just pick a weekday and go...based on favorable conditions. I'll email you directly and we'll set something up.
Mark

[shipoffools]

I would like to thank the folks who passed on the information concerning fishing methods, etc. for Dale Hollow. I am leaving tomorrow morning and will fish through Wednesday. We will be fishing out of Wisdom and will be in a bright red Tracker. Any of you folks on the lake, stop and say "Hi". Thanks again.