Hi All,

Well, we are really in the dog days of summer right now. Days in the 90's and nights in the 70's can make this a tough time of year to fish. Fishing often lives or dies on current. If nothing else, it is a good time of year to get out and improve on your deep-water tactics. Often times, especially on weekdays, the lake is calm and competition for spots less. From late July until Labor Day weekend boats tend to scatter.

Many people have finished their vacation plans for the summer. The heat is on. Kids will be going back to school in a few weeks and many people have refocused their attention from fishing. Do not think however good fishing has stopped. With water in the 80's the fish's metabolism is as high as it may be all year. There is a lot of baitfish and crustaceans out there for them to feed on so you have to make offering stand out.

Do not be afraid to size up compared to the baitfish in the area. During the hot summer months I often go large on my baits. The bigger profile often draws strikes smaller bait will not. The opposite is true for me in the spring. Small baits seem to attract some huge fish. It is not uncommon to see bass well over five pounds caught on crappie jigs working stake beds such as this pig caught this past March on a 1/16 ounce jig.

I answered a fishermen's question the other day about being able to catch big red ear shallow this time of year. You can catch one here and there but most of the bigger fish of all species have pulled off the banks and are holding in deeper water. That depth can be as shallow as 6 to 8 feet and as deep as 30 feet. It depends on the species and the area you are fishing.

Balls of shad are congregating in the outer section of the bays and into the main lakes. Jumps of white bass have started. The only problem I have heard of is the jumps are going down before the fishermen can get to them. Keep trying and eventually your timing will be right. Mouths of the major spawning bays and LBL bays work well when looking for white bass jumps. One friend reported to me the other day he approached a jump and found it to be largemouth. He caught and released over 50 bass in less than an hour. Several were over 3 pounds with some pushing 5! Action like that can be fast and furious. I have seen the same thing happen with smallmouth as well.

This action occurred during the mid-afternoon hours in the heat of the day. That is normally the peak of TVA power generation schedule and can help give the lake enough current to make thing interesting. Smallmouth however, have been more nocturnal feeders and will likely continue as such until we get into fall and cooler weather. Any shad type bait is working well. Spinnerbaits are my favorite. White willow leaf in the daylight hours and black or dark colored skirt and Colorado blades after sunset.

There are spots like Dales all over the lake. I have seen the same in the Jonathan Creek area and Blood as well as further south into Tennessee. Big thing is getting out there and finding those spots. It takes some time but once you find them they are often there for most the summer. As long as food and cover remains they will as well.

One last thing I wanted to touch on is we are now seeing the lake being pulled towards winter pool. The drawdown started in mid July. Right now we are under 358.5 and heading down. By Labor Day we will likely be between 355 and 356. Now is the time to get into the habit of running in the channels. I do it year around regardless of lake level but soon you will not have a choice. There have been a lot of boats damaged thanks to running aground or into stumps barely submerged. A number of people have been hurt by running outside the channel as well. Do not take a chance. The minute or two you are trying to save getting to or from your honey hole is not worth the risk.

Good luck, take care, and God bless. If I can help give me a call.

Lyndon

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