Has anyone on the board fished Lake Pickwick or Lake Wilson?

[Guest]

Just curious if anyone has fished these lakes before and could give some of us guys traveling back east for the Stren Championship some details. Thanks guys.

Vince

[Delaney]

I fished a lot on Kentucky Lake a few years ago. These lakes are on the Tennessee River like Ky. lake only smaller and further upstream. Guys that do well will probably fish the tailwaters below one of these dams. Probably smallmouths mostly. A key factor is when they generate power and release water, and fish accordingly. Problem is finding out the timing of these releases, as they can vary greatly. I would suggest checking with some locals when you get back there. You didn't say what time of year, but if it's summer you'd want to fish drop-offs where creek channels meet the main lake. For the smallmouths use tube baits, and believe it or not-tailspinners. Let me know how you do.

[mac (Doyle McEwen)]

Vince I fished the Tennessee side of Pickwick in February of 1977, it was freezing cold, I caught one of the two fish caught for the tournament and ended up winning it by about 2 ounces..How cold was it, when you reeled in a cast the rod eyes would clog with ice, if you mad a really long cast you would be forced to stop reeling and de-ice the rod eyes to complete your retrieve..I really don't remember very much else about the experience..

mac

[littlebailey]

I made the cut as a co angler there the last time the stren championship was there. I think i finished fifth. I was in current with a pro that was flipping. i didnt have any flipping stuff which ended up being good. I stuck a 1 oz tungsten weight on a t rig and used an oxblood redflake full size zipper. when he got passed the tree he was flipping i would drop it straight down and let the current take it under the tree. i would just hold it there. I got good ones. chartuese the tip of the tail too if you can. The second day i was in grass on a flat all day and threw everything in the book from spooks to flukes. I ended up running out of baits to throw so i tied on an lv 500 chart shad and stuck a 4.5 with 5 min to go. i made the cut in second and me and my pro the last day blanked. Thats all i got for ya. throw that full sized robo zipper everywhere. it gets bit and they dont know it on the east coast. both of my pros had never seen it. good luck.

[Guest]

I fished a lot on Kentucky Lake a few years ago. These lakes are on the Tennessee River like Ky. lake only smaller and further upstream. Guys that do well will probably fish the tailwaters below one of these dams. Probably smallmouths mostly. A key factor is when they generate power and release water, and fish accordingly. Problem is finding out the timing of these releases, as they can vary greatly. I would suggest checking with some locals when you get back there. You didn't say what time of year, but if it's summer you'd want to fish drop-offs where creek channels meet the main lake. For the smallmouths use tube baits, and believe it or not-tailspinners. Let me know how you do.

The Stren TOC is the first week of Nov. From what I've read the Stren TOC was last there in 2005 and the bite was tough for many with the warmer than normal temperatures (thanks to Weatherunderground.com). I kind of figure it must have been like how the Delta fishes when fall never seems to come and the bite gets really tough. If the morning low's get into the 40's then I think it should be similar to other data I've read that time of year. 2005 the low's were in the 60's at night which must not have been the time to trigger that fall feeding frenzy.

[Guest]

I made the cut as a co angler there the last time the stren championship was there. I think i finished fifth. I was in current with a pro that was flipping. i didnt have any flipping stuff which ended up being good. I stuck a 1 oz tungsten weight on a t rig and used an oxblood redflake full size zipper. when he got passed the tree he was flipping i would drop it straight down and let the current take it under the tree. i would just hold it there. I got good ones. chartuese the tip of the tail too if you can. The second day i was in grass on a flat all day and threw everything in the book from spooks to flukes. I ended up running out of baits to throw so i tied on an lv 500 chart shad and stuck a 4.5 with 5 min to go. i made the cut in second and me and my pro the last day blanked. Thats all i got for ya. throw that full sized robo zipper everywhere. it gets bit and they dont know it on the east coast. both of my pros had never seen it. good luck.

In the 2005 Stren tournament were you allowed to locke into Wilson lake? Seems like this one Wilson maybe worth locking to if they are not pushing current. Thanks for the tip on the zipperworm as I don't think many fish have seen that bait back there. Seems like lots of guys will be throwing/dragging football jigs and carolina rigs off ledges as a main staple. Also did you guys see any action with the buzzbait bite in the backwaters? I heard that one of the Co's caught a 6+ on a buzzbait. I might bring some of D&M's new double wing buzzbaits out there.

Did you have any luck with a dropshot or was it more of a bottom oriented bite live I've read? Also how would you consider the water clarity in the main river & back creeks compared to a lake out here? The video's I have are from the spring so the water looks pretty stained/dirty and heavy line looked like a requirement.

Looks like there is a FLW Stren event this week on Wheeler this week which is just up river from Wilson. Should be interesting to see how the fish react when they are more post-spawn and the weights for the event.

Thanks.

[Robert F]

The Stren TOC is the first week of Nov. From what I've read the Stren TOC was last there in 2005 and the bite was tough for many with the warmer than normal temperatures (thanks to Weatherunderground.com).

Vince, Look further back '01? doesn't look much better. 25 percent of the BOATERS blanked. About 20 percent in '05. Think it is going to be a long drive for a few fish. I am going to look at my drive and possibly plan a stop at Falcon, Choke or Amistad to jack up some biggun's on the way home. Take out the frustrations or celebrate catching 4 fish and cashing a big check.

[littlebailey]

it was '05 and it was freezing everyday for two weeks. and yes if you catch 4 you will get paid! Keep it simple. four rods. yes a jig is a must. Water is dirty in some parts but its not like a normal river. you'll seee whne you get there. a lot depends on the pulling of the water. yes we could lock and Shaun did both days. it takes time but the fishing is a little better. its always won on pickwick though.

[Guest]

Good to know, Paul. Thanks for the info.

[Guest]

The Stren TOC is the first week of Nov. From what I've read the Stren TOC was last there in 2005 and the bite was tough for many with the warmer than normal temperatures (thanks to Weatherunderground.com).

Vince, Look further back '01? doesn't look much better. 25 percent of the BOATERS blanked. About 20 percent in '05. Think it is going to be a long drive for a few fish. I am going to look at my drive and possibly plan a stop at Falcon, Choke or Amistad to jack up some biggun's on the way home. Take out the frustrations or celebrate catching 4 fish and cashing a big check.

Yeah I know it's going to be tough, but I tend to do well when the bite is tough for others. I'll have to check out '01 as well. I think this year there are a lot of guys with Side Imaging and if shell beds tend to be the main structure that could have a bit impact on finding those areas. It's going to be a shot in the dark from the back of the boat, but I figure if I can get a few suicide fish it could go a long way in this tournament.

[Bedafish]

I fished pickwick as a coangler in 2005 Stren Championship, made the top ten. There was a good jig bite and a good crankbait bite. There are some great smallies in Pickwick but I caught all green fish. The bite is best when they are pulling water for power generating but it dies when they cut back and there is less current.
Good luck
SC