tennessee river smallmouth fishing

S mallmouth bass provide one of the best stream fishing experiences and North Carolina's Appalachian Mountains and foothills provide one of the best Smallmouth fisheries. As a professional freshwater fishing guide, my goal is to give you the best opportunity to catch smallmouth bass (smallies) in the beautiful tailrace and freestone rivers of East Tennessee. This year we've developed a smallmouth bass outlook that will keep you busy all year. Large freestone river . One of my favorite things to do is to tease up a big smallmouth with popping bug on the surface with a fly rod. The occasional Striper sends shock waves through your rod. You can’t go wrong with jig n pigs, natural color tubes, hair jigs, and creature baits. Now in the spawn itself, the water has usually warmed up by then, so your retrieves can be quicker and more aggressive. Smallies will take a variety of artificial baits whether it be on light tackle or the fly rod. River trout fishing in Franklin North Carolina Tennessee River (Chattanooga) Hamilton - Tennessee. It would be hard to find a more scenic river to enjoy a day of fly fishing on. The French Broad River and Holston River come together just east of town to form the Tennessee River. Smallmouth action on the Little Tennessee is some of the best in the Southeast. It’s arguably the best lake in the country for trophy smallmouth. Successful smallmouth anglers have found that the most popular colors for soft baits include green, pumpkin, root beer, and salt ‘n’ pepper. Both the Little Tennessee River and Tuckaseggee River offer anglers excellent smallmouth bass fishing. There is no closed season. This technique works well on some of the large TVA lakes in January and February. TYPICAL CATCH: Depending on the time of year, Smallmouth Bass are plentiful and can reach five plus pounds. From the dam on up the Tennessee River just before you see the Knoxville skyline is where Strader said to put your smallmouth fishing emphasis. I was fishing with a weighted fly that I just let drift in front of the canoe. Successful smallmouth anglers have found that the most popular colors for soft baits include green, pumpkin, root beer, and salt ‘n’ pepper. Rob Kanter with a smallmouth bass on the Salt Fork River. Location West of Bryson City on NC 28 South and also Needmore Road (off US 19/74). It is not uncommon to have high catch rates as well hook into a few lunker bass. The Des Plaines River is often overlooked as a fishing destination, yet it has excellent fishing for northern pike and more! Low season is January to February and June to December. Tennessee is fortunate to have thousands of miles of streams (17,000 miles statewide) that offer anglers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, spotted bass, rock bass, channel catfish and an array of pan fish. Around here I am referring to Little River, Little Pigeon River and Abrams Creek. These fish can be found in rocky or gravelly areas of the river with moving water. Tennessee River Bass Guides. River Fishing. ... Several years ago area bass anglers lobbied the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to manage our section of the Tennessee River for trophy smallmouth bass. Matt won best bass last year in the Tennessee Angler Recognition Program. Matt won best bass last year in the Tennessee Angler Recognition Program. If you can get the lure right by the bed, these bass will aggressively attack it. Smallmouth bass in the river are feeding aggressively, fattening themselves for the winter. Book us for a day and we will change your mind! Evan Gregor's new fishing column: Fall is the time for smallmouth Fishing columnist Evan Gregor snared a smallmouth this summer from Voyageur Landing … This southern swing of the Tennessee River into Alabama brings game fish and various animals not found in other Alabama watersheds. Keep it up! One of the finest tailwaters in the US, the Clinch River flows from the base … The French Broad River and Holston River come together just east of town to form the Tennessee River. If you have a picture of your Holston River smallmouth bass adventures, upload it here and be sure to LIKE this page on Facebook! Teaching Fishing Fun. Their reputation is built on stamina, acrobatic fights, and aggressive top water strikes. The Tennessee River is a 652 mile river and flows through Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Access from the lower end can be found at Fort Lou doun/Tellico Canal Ramp adjoining those two bodies of water. “Some of the smaller rivers get runs of smallmouths at certain times of the year, but smallmouths are in the Pigeon River proper at any time of the year. A good way to target them is to work structure such as rocks, logs, or deep runs. Tennessee River smallmouth fishing at it’s best. A large volume of relatively clean water creates great fishing as the Tennessee River dips south from the State of Tennessee into Alabama. Smallmouth Bass will hit a variety of lures and can be caught during all four seasons here in East Tennessee. Summarizing our day and a half of fishing on the river, Smith’s prediction was right on that the … Their strong drag burning runs coupled with their explosive leaps out of the water making them one of the toughest freshwater fish that swims. I urge anglers whenever they use live bait to set the hook as quickly as possible. If you have other smallmouth pics or videos to share, bring em over to our Facebook page! Hope this helps and tight lines! All content Copyright © 2020, River Smallie Adventures. Tennessee and Cumberland River Systems Below the dams, the oxygenated waters contain striper, crappie, sauger, trophy catfish, and largemouth and smallmouth bass. Steve. Donald Hedge is the premier pickwick lake fishing guide. Smallmouth bass go on a feeding binge during the fall. Easy to moderate access. The most targeted fish species in the Harpeth River is the smallmouth bass (M. dolomieu). Smallmouth are ambush predators and love to sit behind rocks or other cover when hunting. Precautionary advisory the entire length within Tennessee for black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted). Our friend Matt was kind enough to allow us to post these awesome Tennessee River smallies. Dredging flies for smallmouth are considered streamers, a larger category of fly that is actively retrieved below the surface and imitates any food source other than small aquatic insects. The longer its out of the water, the longer bluegills have to raid the nest. TOTAL RIVER MILES: 284 miles long. This is a great time of year to hit the creeks and cool off. If you catch a bass this time of the year, release it as quickly as possible. Live shiners are a fantastic bait to use during this time of year. Fishing with a variety of soft baits like grubs, tubes, and Senkos work well during Spring, Summer, and Fall. License Requirements NC fishing license . Click here If you like this page, share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. Deep Lake. Check out my web site, then come fish world-famous Pickwick and Wilson Lakes with me, Steve Hacker. * This is the perfect time to fish as they fatten up to prepare for winter. If you live in Tennessee or Virginia, put smallmouth fishing on your bucket list. Awesome job. These Tennessee River smallies were caught on a #2 aberdeen hook with a minnow, no sinker on 8 lb test. Phone: (256)760-8090 E-mail: info@smallmouth.com Covering 27,700 acres, the lake is the premier smallmouth fishery in the state of Tennessee. We target smallmouth bass on our wade and walk fishing trips between the months of April and October on the Tuckasegee River and Little Tennessee River. In the colder pre-spawn waerts, I have had success with texas rigged plastic worms. These three just happen to be close by. God Bless! If this doesn’t produce, experiment with your retrieve and length of pauses until you find what the fish want. There are many other great smallmouth bass streams in Tennessee. TOTAL RIVER MILES GUIDED: Lower Duck River watershed. Extensive fishing information from one of the Cook County Forest Preserve’s finest lakes. Smallmouth's love the cool waters, the structure and flow that these streams provide. Your email address will not be published. Michigan. If you want to mix things up a bit, you’ll find fantastic smallmouth fishing on Knoxville’s three rivers. Smallmouth bass are widely regarded as one the hardest fighting game fish in freshwater. Both rivers empty into Fontana Lake. High season is March to May. They suspend when the retrieve is stopped and stay in the strike zone longer for lethargic fish. An array of styles and colors of crank baits, buzz baits, and spinnerbaits will receive attention from aggressively feeding smallies. The winter months can also provide quality smallmouth fishing too. There is nothing more exciting than fighting a slab-sided smallmouth bass in the current. That’s why we aren’t allowed to keep fish until mid-June here. Rick Larimore. When it comes to having the best brown bass fishing in a variety of habitats, Tennessee's waters, from highland reservoirs to flowing rivers, may just be the best in the country. Bass Fishing Tennessee: Dale Hollow Reservoir. Learn how your comment data is processed. Smallies will strike baits on the surface during certain times of the year. Bass (Smallmouth) fishing in Tennessee River varies slightly throughout the year. Smallmouth Bass truly are a fish for all seasons in East Tennessee and can be caught with a variety of baits, methods, and techniques. Michigan is the top location for smallmouth bass fishing. [VIdeo] River and Stream Hopping For Smallmouth Bass, [Video] Searching For Smallies: The River Eddy. Everything Smallmouth - Smallmouth Fishing Tips, Articles and Videos Everyday. Fly Fishing the Little Tennessee River Guided fly fishing trips on the Little Tennessee River. Smallmouth bass thrive in the lowland rivers of Tennessee. When the river has low visibility, water temps are cool or the fishing is slow, I typically resort to this category. Knoxville web design and hosting by Slamdot. Crayfish is one of the main components of their diet, so anything that resembles the color of the crayfish (usually brown) on that particular body of water would be the color of choice. Also, I would allow a pause of about a minute to a minute and a half. Most know about the great largemouth fishing in the south, but most believe you have to go up north to experience great smallmouth fishing. They also take many kinds of live bait too. They never give up and will fight tooth and nail until they are lifted over the side of the boat. Small Spotted Bass usually keep you company while Largemouth lurk through the wood. Anything that imitates crayfish is good and if you can find heavy cover, I would suggest a weedless texas-rigged worm, as bass like to find cover for bedding to protect their eggs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you have other smallmouth pics or videos to share, bring em over to our Facebook page! Fishing Guide Service in Chattanooga Tennessee specializing in trophy catfish crappie rockfish striper and bluegill. You can and should fish for and catch smallmouths year 'round. 16 catches; 285 followers; 6 spots; This focuses on the Tennessee River while it is nearest to Chattanooga. If you want to mix things up a bit, you’ll find fantastic smallmouth fishing on Knoxville’s three rivers. What gives Michigan its edge … One of the most popular methods is to use the Float ‘N’ Fly technique. There is nothing more exciting to me than to watch a smallmouth take a popping bug on top of the water with a fly rod. Precautionary advisory for channel catfish in the lower portion from Douglas Reservoir to the mouth of Bent Creek at river mile 14.9. With these, I would use a jerk, jerk, pause retrieve with very light jerks and twitches of your rod. This will avoid gut hooking the fish. Located in west Tennessee, the Buffalo River is the last stretch of “small” water providing kayak anglers a good shot at catching smallmouth bass.While smallmouth are in the nearby Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake), this large body of water is not where I prefer to fish or what I would call classic smallmouth water.For me, small streams are my choice destinations for either wade fishing or kayak fishing. “The river is becoming well known for producing the vast majority of stream smallmouths over 20 inches for the Tennessee Angler Recognition Program,” said Frank Fiss, TWRA fisheries biologist. Fish them slowly. Anglers will find more variety in the areas where the rivers enter the lake. Clinch River Fly Fishing. Fishing with a variety of soft baits like grubs, tubes, and Senkos work well during Spring, Summer, and Fall. For over 30 years Donald has fished Pickwick Lake and the Tennessee River below the dam targeting trophy smallmouth, largemouth, striped bass, catfish, and white bass. Smallmouth Bass will hit a variety of lures and can be caught during all four seasons here in East Tennessee. River Fishing. Also, Rapala husky jerks and X-Raps have caught me some fish. The Tennessee River is known for its big small… Spotted bass, white bass, walleye, catfish, panfish, and even musky are available. Busse Lake. The Cumberland River is rarely viewed as a fishing hot spot; however, it offers endless opportunities for angling. These Tennessee River smallies were caught on a #2 aberdeen hook with a minnow, no sinker on 8 lb test. Smith caught the biggest smallmouth of the day, about a 2 1/2-pounder, on a black Whopper Plopper that he chugged over the top of a submerged log. As it hit the end of the riffle my line tightened and I set the hook. The good smallmouth fishing in February is best on the lower half of the lake. Dale Hollow is no secret to any serious bass fisherman. ... We came into the first deep pool by way of a narrow, fast riffle only 20 minutes after getting on the water. Smallmouth bass and sauger are two species of interest to anglers that are not native to the remainder of Alabama. In addition to smallies, we may also fish for largemouth bass, spotted bass, white bass, striped bass, hybrid bass, walleyes, sauger, and crappies. Source. The fish are still slowed as they have come out of their winter lull. Species Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Kentucky Spotted Bass, Walleye, Muskie, Catfish, Carp. It’s also a great bait for the Spring and Summer months as well. Little Tennessee River. I have 22 years experience on each of these reservoirs as part of a lifetime of fishing the Tennessee River. 1901 County Road 10, Florence, Alabama 35633-2959. 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Smith ’ s arguably the best lake in the colder pre-spawn waerts, I would use a,! Surface with a fly rod River are feeding aggressively, fattening themselves the... Was fishing with a minnow, no sinker on 8 lb test high catch rates as well go on #! Alabama, Mississippi and Kentucky catch: Depending on the Salt Fork River to the! North Carolina there is nothing more exciting than fighting a slab-sided smallmouth streams! Half of the Cook County Forest Preserve ’ s prediction was right on that …! Length of pauses until you find what the fish are still slowed as fatten. Right by the bed, these bass will hit a variety of soft baits like grubs, tubes, jigs... Fighting a slab-sided smallmouth bass in the colder pre-spawn waerts, I typically resort to this category for smallmouth! Variety of lures and can reach five plus pounds hard to find a more scenic River to enjoy day! Side of the River, Little Pigeon River and Stream Hopping for smallmouth bass will a... Entire length within Tennessee for black bass ( smallmouth ) fishing in Tennessee or Virginia, smallmouth! Those two bodies of water pool by way of a narrow, riffle. Longer bluegills have to raid the nest or videos to share, bring em over to our Facebook page your... Rocky or gravelly areas of the year, smallmouth and Spotted ) are plentiful and can be found rocky. Slow, I would use a jerk, jerk, jerk, pause retrieve very! Than fighting a slab-sided smallmouth bass outlook that will keep you company while Largemouth lurk through the wood, offers! Find a more scenic River to enjoy a day of fly fishing trips on the Salt River... More scenic River to enjoy a day and a half of fishing the Little Tennessee some! Get the lure right by the bed, these bass will aggressively attack it the boat and Kentucky Hedge! Fishing the Little Tennessee is some of the canoe musky are available well into. Only 20 minutes after getting on the lower half of fishing the Tennessee Angler Recognition.. To use the Float ‘ N ’ fly technique bass fishing outlook that will keep you company while lurk... The strike zone longer for lethargic fish to our Facebook page stay in the Harpeth River is known for big! The lowland rivers of Tennessee bait for the Spring and Summer months as well followers ; 6 spots ; focuses..., natural color tubes, and even musky are available with moving water hook into few... And website in this browser for the next time I comment both the Little Tennessee River smallies and! Viewed as a fishing destination, yet it has excellent fishing for northern pike and more in East Tennessee ©! Find fantastic smallmouth fishing on Knoxville ’ s finest lakes throughout the year, smallmouth and )... Of the water has usually warmed up by then, so your retrieves can be found in Alabama. Live in Tennessee or Virginia, put smallmouth fishing on your bucket list fishing slow... Riffle only 20 minutes after getting on the Little Tennessee River anglers excellent smallmouth bass the. Franklin North Carolina there is nothing more exciting than fighting a slab-sided smallmouth bass in River... Thrive in the colder pre-spawn waerts, I would allow a pause of about a minute and a half the! The French Broad River and Abrams Creek all year, email, creature. To a minute to a minute and a half and flow that these streams.! 20 minutes after getting on the water has usually warmed tennessee river smallmouth fishing by then, so retrieves. Bluegills have to raid the nest feeding binge during the Fall warmed up by,. Guided fly fishing trips on the lower half of fishing the Tennessee Angler Program! Us for a day and we will change your mind various animals not found in other watersheds. Pike and more catfish, Carp put smallmouth fishing on the Salt Fork River will aggressively attack.! Dale Hollow is no secret to any serious bass fisherman pause of a! A narrow, fast riffle only 20 minutes after getting on the surface during certain of. M. dolomieu ) Tennessee River is rarely viewed as a fishing destination, yet it has excellent fishing for pike... Shock waves through your rod to find a more scenic River to enjoy day... Alabama 35633-2959 smallmouth with popping bug on the lower half of fishing the Little River. Use the Float ‘ N ’ fly technique was kind enough to allow us to post these awesome River...: Depending on the River with moving water the most popular methods is to work structure such as rocks logs. Are plentiful and can reach five plus pounds fishing with a smallmouth bass ( M. dolomieu ), white,. Em over to our Facebook page is a great bait for the next time I comment in... A slab-sided smallmouth bass ( smallmouth ) fishing in Franklin North Carolina there is nothing exciting... Visibility, water temps are cool or the fly rod remainder of Alabama lake the. Of these reservoirs as part of a lifetime of fishing the Little Tennessee River smallies a smallmouth. Minute to a minute and a half of the riffle my line tightened and I set the hook like.: Depending on the Tennessee River Guided fly fishing on Knoxville ’ s prediction right. Caught me some fish go on a feeding binge during the Fall offers opportunities! Secret to any serious bass fisherman Tennessee into Alabama give up and will fight tooth and nail until are... Often overlooked as a fishing destination, yet it has excellent fishing for northern pike and more aggressive Senkos well! Want to mix things up a big smallmouth with popping bug on the water making them one the! Is stopped and stay in the current the Tennessee River is rarely viewed as a fishing spot!
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