Dale Hollow Febraury, March or April?

[smljaw]

I make a trip to Dale about once a year. I don't know the lake all that well but always enjoy my trips down there and usually catch a few. My buddy and I always stay with a friend down there and launch out of the Star Point ramp. We are talking about making a trip down there between mid February and mid April. Both of us could probably plan this trip on short notice. Here are my questions...

1) How late does the FNF bite stay on down there?
2) What other baits tend to work well mid Feb. - mid April?
3) What time of year do you prefer?

Thanks!

[elnutsmalljaws]

tried to send you a Pm but you don't allow them. Send me one with your phone number and I will call you. Elnut

[mhall]

Not a Dale expert but know a little and it fishes alot like Cumberland most of the time.
When the water gets above 50 degrees the FNF bite will tail off and other baits can be used.
When the water temps in early spring on Dale reach the low 50's and above towards the low 60's the jerkbait bite is lethal. The big Brown ones will rip that jerkbait out of your hand. Alot of guys will use soft jerkbaits to but for me it's Rapala X-Rap time, super exciting. Cranks can also big very good at this time. And when the water gets in the high 50's and up topwaters will begin to get your arm broke.
I love the last two weeks of April, I think it can be the greatest time to be on Dale or Cumberland. Just my humble two cents.

Also check out smalljaw.com, dem boys on that site are Dale experts, that is what they do.

[wkerber]

Agree with Mhall on the jerkbait and crankbait. Late March and early April, I like to fish a grub as well on points and around weeds. I fish a zoom glimmer blue grub, but others swear by watermelon or chartruese. While I've never fished it, I know another guy that likes to fish a carolina rigged lizard on the clay flats with rock when the smallies move there in April to get ready to spawn. Good luck.

[mhall]

Agree with Mhall on the jerkbait and crankbait. Late March and early April, I like to fish a grub as well on points and around weeds. I fish a zoom glimmer blue grub, but others swear by watermelon or chartruese. While I've never fished it, I know another guy that likes to fish a carolina rigged lizard on the clay flats with rock when the smallies move there in April to get ready to spawn. Good luck.

Yea, forgot to mention the grub bite, it can be awesome especially on Dale.

[TEE]

I like late March/early April but ,Mother Nature can be mean at times.

[smljaw]

Elnut,
I sent you a PM.