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Tennessee smallmouth bass fishing
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Tennessee contains many of the premier
smallmouth bass waters in the world, and our small mouths
are finally getting the recognition they deserve.
Kentucky Lake may not make the top four, but it's still the
most up-and-coming smallmouth destination in Tennessee,
based on constant reports of good fish coming from there.
Churchill is quick to agree, saying catch rates have been
creeping upward there for a while and so is the quality of
fish being caught. The 2003 lake wide catch rate at Kentucky
Lake for smallmouth bass was among the highest in the state
for that year.
In the national scheme of things, Tennessee is on top or
among the best on everyone's list. Churchill said we are
still either at the top for big smallmouth bass or close to
it. He's also heard about the smallmouth fishing in the Ohio
and Pennsylvania portions of Lake Erie, and it's said to be
pretty special.
DALE HOLLOW LAKE
Write this down. Before you die, you have to hit the famed
waters of Dale Hollow at least twice. The first and foremost
time to be on the water is in the winter months from
December through the first part of March throwing a
float-and-fly. The winter fishing is incredible.
You won't catch huge numbers of bass, but the quality is
mind-blowing on the very good days. I've seen days with the
snow hitting you in the face and smallies over 6 pounds on
back-to-back casts. That doesn't happen every day but it
does happen on Dale Hollow
SOUTH HOLSTON LAKE
If Dale Hollow Lake is the crown jewel of smallmouth
fishing, smaller but comparable South Holston Lake is East
Tennessee's mountain treasure. It's a Dale Hollow
look-a-like, just on a smaller scale. The bottom is sandier
in comparison, making for a deeper bite, particularly in the
winter when local anglers hit the water hard with the
float-and-fly.
This serious smallmouth lake has slowed just a little the
last two winters after consistently producing huge stringers
of well over 20 pounds for years during wintertime
tournaments
NOLICHUCKY RIVER
This fishery is mostly about numbers. The Nolichucky River
is a smallmouth tradition. The fishing from Erwin on down to
the dam in Greeneville offers miles of stream water. Canoe
trips above the dam and float trips are the ticket.
BUFFALO RIVER
This river's reputation is growing. It can be a numbers
destination with quality 4-pound smallies in the mix on any
given day. The river gets hit pretty hard with float trips,
and canoes are utilized heavily to get to good smallmouth
waters. Live bait is always an option, but you're always
hearing about good fish coming on jerk baits. There are
outfitters along the river that rent canoes to boat less
fishermen. The ramp near Linden is also a good starting
point. |
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