Trolling Dale Hollow/April

[weaver]

Would love to do some trolling when I take wife/kids out. I will be on Dale Hollow over Easter and past experience seems like most of the fish will be tight up against shoreline structure up in the coves(means mostly casting jigs up against this structure/not real kid friendly). Am I missing some fish locations for this time of year where trolling could be used? Any help/insight would be appreceated.
Thanks
Weaver

[kygorski]

First of all the water levels in Dale are still pretty low, so the chances of brush hand ups does go down some.As for trolling for crappies, not all the fish will be spawning at the same time.Use cranks that will dive to maybe 10 ft, my favorites are the bandits and the small size hotn tots.Locations, my first bet would be the wolf river, from the shear pin bend to the main lake, staying in about 15 to 20 ft of water.Make large zig zags, toward shallow and to deep water. If that didn't work, i'd have two choices, go east of the big bend doing the same thing, and if no luck, go into Illwill creek, past the marina, and do the same thing, depth and speed are important, if ther water is over 60, 2 mph will put you in the ball park.But you'll have more of a chance casting visible timber.

[DENNIS BOWERS]

kygorski is right-not all the fish spawn at once!The areas he mentioned are good for trolling.You might also try from Shear Pin to the No Ski Buoys[towards Gunnels Camp],This area produces lots of Crappie every year!!

[weaver]

Thanks for the input!!

If I am staying in Birdstown, and want to fish the Wolf river, is it better to run up by boat (from Sunset), or trailer up to one of the marinas (Gunnels or Wolf river)?
I do have a quick boat, but last year there seemed to be the ocasional timber floating around, made 50mph travel less appealing.
Also, Is the Crappie action heating up yet?
As always, thanks for the help!!
Steven

[DENNIS BOWERS]

Steve,I would put in at Wolf River or here at Gunnels.we get alot of floating wood this time of year.also its not near as far to start fishing-if you put in at Wolf River you can troll back this way and vice versa! Some Crappie were in pre spawn areas last week-but that happens about every year.April/may is prime time here!!!

[crappiebuster63]

where is "gunnels" or "wolf river" located on dale hollow lake ? Im new in tenn. and miss my Crappie holes in Mo. Am in dire need of a new crappie hole !! Thanks

[DENNIS BOWERS]

The Wolf River is on the lower end of the lake,Byrdstown -Tn. area.Gunnels Fishing Camp is on the Wolf ,Outside of Byrdstown. By The way-Welcome Aboard And Welcome to Tn.!!

[kygorski]

This ramp is pretty narrow, also there sometimes is a problem with water levels, parking is fair, they do have fuel, and bait sometimes, but if you have a pretty good sized boat, maybe a better place to launch is wolf river marina, its about a 7 mile run to the mouth of spring creek, and from there it can at times be tricky getting to the river proper during low water periods.Watch your sounder, and your speed, hit a log yesterday, but no damage.

[weaver]

I was planning on putting in at Gunnels over easter (never been there before). I have a bigger boat (20ft Lund Pro-V) but it sounds like I may want to go up and put in at Wolf River Marina. Sounds like you were out within the last few days. How was fishin?
Weaver

[kygorski]

Was out yesterday zilch!!!! I think that maybe these cold fronts and dropping water temps have put them off their feed for awhile. Another thing that is affecting the fishing for crappie, in my humble estimation, is water clarity, it looks like some places on the lake are in a partial turn over mode. Not to be a smart alec, but there is pretty good crappie fishing in eagle creek, which is a hop skip and jump away from sunset.A 20 ft lund might be a problem at gunnels, if you happen to go off the ramp, heaven help you. I'd try trolling eagle creek after the big bend, and down to almost the creek mouth, and after you get the family worn out, try the creek for crappies, and north of the creek in the bushes for LMB, spinner baits and flukes ought to work well down in that area.Dont forget to try a buzzer also. Wish you luck