The Dale in July

[brandon]

Going camping/fishing at Dale in July, want to know what to expect. Is night fishing the best option then or is it possible to catch them during the day? Patterns/presentations??

[bereabasser]

dont let people tell you you cant catch em during the day...take your flippin stick with you and if possible get in the back of some main lake pockets with buck brush in em and flip out some largemouths

[elnutsmalljaws]

If you are looking for BIG Smallmouth in July, then night fishing is the best option. Full moon, take a Bubble Gum 1oz Single Bubble Gum Colorado blade spinnerbait and crank the deeper flats and outside of deeper grass beds next to the river channels. New moon, same process but use a 1oz Single Colorado Black and anything spinnerbait in same areas. Second option is 1/4 to 3/8 oz hair jigs fished slow thru the deeper grass beds. These are for the bigger fish. Any size fish, use hair jig and point hop targeting water in the 18-25 feet deep area and you will pick up a fish here and there. If you have not fished the lake very much, be very careful for navigating at night on this lake is the hardest thing to do. Need a good GPS for starter and watchout for the points and islands for there are many. Good Luck and keep a GOOD hold on your rod when slow rolling the spinnerbait for when they hit it, you will know it for if your rod is not locked down in your hands, it will be taken from you against your will. Absolutely the best bite the I ever get is on this spinnerbait and I can't thank Dave Stewart enough for turning me onto this a couple of years back. Dave has had many clients lose rods over the side of the boat from a jolting strike from a hungry Smallie on the spinnerbait. I was half asleep one night last year and I got a hit and luckily I caught my rod in mid air or I would still be there trying to fish up my Loomis / Curado combo that I love so well.

[thebassman30]

I've done very well numbers wise (not size) during the day with jet skis and pleasure boaters buzzing me all day. I think I had 15 or so over two days on a waining full moon in July last year.

I would do exactly what Elwood describes or better yet, hire one of the guides on http://www.smalljaw.com/dusk%20till%...20service.html like Greg Brisendine or Fred McClintock http://www.trophyguideservice.com/.

You might also consider fishing the Cumberland river as well.

Further, find out where there are some good deep 30+ grass beds. Then throw a couple lines out with a live shiner tail hooked. Sit back and enjoy a cold adult beverage. Keep a big heavy crankbait with 3 trebles handy to launch at those jet skiers.