Thread: Tims Ford

Big deep lake for sure but they are some Hogs in their!

Middle Tenn Crappie Club has tourneys there .... so people might be a little tight lipped and not posting much because of that.

MidTin, I'm a member of MTCC and I will give you my thoughts on Tim's. I don't know where you live or how often you get to fish Tim's but, it's a lake that you have to fish on a regular basis to have good stringers. Most shoot docks or fish laydowns. I don't know anyone that trolls or spiderrigs. Good electronics are huge help in eliminating areas that don't contain fish. Some of our best stringers come in the fall and winter. There are so many areas to fish, it helps to pick a section of the lake and learn the docks and laydowns that produce. It really helps to keep good notes and plot waypoints for future trips. We have guys that love Tim's and some who won't fish it because they never catch many fish. Most use jigs, some use minnows and almost all carry both because the fish can be very selective. Most of the laydowns that produce are big trees that fall into deep water( 20' plus ). If you fish in the winter or any time, Devil's Step is our usual launch site. This puts you close to many good spots and it's one of the better ramps. I hope this helps and if you already caught some, you're on the right track. Good luck on your future trips.

Thank you all for the reply's.
drdore, i don't get down that way much,but after my last visit i think i'll try harder to get there. Thanks for your info. I didn't have minnows just jigs. I'll have them next time. Again Thanks to all---------- MidTin

Like drdore says time on the water is important at Tim's. We fished a tournament on Friday. Most caught a few but only a couple of teams had a club limit of 7 fish. It was tough for us as we only had 3 keepers. Fished blow downs and docks but there was only a fish here and there and mostly not there or not biting what we had. Fished minnows and jigs. It is a good lake when you find the fish. Have seen some real good crappie come from there. Good smallmouth and strippers also. Good luck.

Thanks D&L I'm not a real hot catcher where ever I am :rolleyes: but I still go.. Am I sick or "What"

I am late replying to this but better late than never right? I am also a member of MTCC and Tims is by far my favorite lake to fish. Good electronics make things much easier. I shoot docks 99% of the time and with good electronics you can just idle by the docks and you will know when they are under them. You will also know what depth. I prefer the bobby garland baby shads and either 1/16 or 1/32 jig head depending on the depth they are in. The fish can and usually are very picky on colors so don't give up after trying just a few. Once I mark a school and I know the depth I will throw every color in the boat until I dial them in. Once you get the depth and color dialed in you can wear them out. Shoot the jig to the very back of the dock and just let it fall. Watch your line like a hawk because most of the time it will simply stop falling. When it does, set the hook. This time of year I catch them around the 25-40' mark. They will obviously come up much shallower in the spring and fall. Some people prefer to fish the laydowns but I just never do any good on them. You may catch one or two. If you want numbers with some goods ones mixed in learn to shoot the docks.

I am from Chattanooga area and fish Tims about 2-3 times per year most of the time. Docks are primarily what I fish. One of the best docks in the Devil's Step area has an owner that isn't very friendly. He puts ropes across nearly all the access areas of his dock to keep crappie fishermen from fishing. He will also come down to his dock when you are trying to fish it or will sit on his porch and just glare at you like you are a criminal. But there are good crappie under his dock. Grin. Five or six years ago, the lake was at peak with giant Blacknose Crappie. Our best day on Tims was a memorable one when we landed 6 TARP sized crappie. Numbers wise, 76 on one day, but most days, it is a struggle to catch a limit when you only get over there occasionally. I love the lake. It is one of the most beautiful lakes that I have been on.