Thread: 6/12/11 road trip

That is a big problem with Dale Hollow....and Center Hill also. There is no good bank access. I always rent a little flat bottom out of one of the marinas up there...last one in May was 55$ for the day. The problem also is knowing when to go if you are looking to catch Gills or Shellcrackers. I have fished Standing Stone and caught Trout but that is it. Not much of a destination lake. Dale Hollow in the Summer is great for Small Mouth....if you fish at night. I have also rented a pontoon and and fished for Trout under the lights at night...that is a ton of fun.


Regards

I have fished there several times in the early spring but have not been in several years. There are some very nice bluegill in that lake and that is what we typically target when we go. The bluegill there go on bed earlier that they do in the larger lakes even though it is a deep cold lake. Next time you go make sure you take a good supply of crickets and very small black jigs. You can make it a really good trip if you have a small john boat and like to camp. You can stay at the camp ground below Dale Hollow dam and you can put in and float the Obey River for trout. The two of them together make for a memorable trip.

I have crappie fished and also fished for shellcrackers on the Wolf at Dale Hollow. We have always done good. I love that lake.

Its my favorite lake to fish. I have found no bigger gills anywhere in TN. I also enjoy fishing for walleye as well. I like fishing out of Willow Grove.

Originally Posted by hunterchub

Its my favorite lake to fish. I have found no bigger gills anywhere in TN. I also enjoy fishing for walleye as well. I like fishing out of Willow Grove.

I agree with you about the Gills...but do you know of any place on that lake that has good bank access to catch some Gills? I do not have a boat and have fished Dale Hollow a lot there are times I would just like to drive up there and fish without having to beg a ride with someone in a boat.


Regards

Originally Posted by hunterchub

Its my favorite lake to fish. I have found no bigger gills anywhere in TN. I also enjoy fishing for walleye as well. I like fishing out of Willow Grove.

How big do the gills run and what month is best to fish for them, how deep?

An average Gill for me when I catch them on the first bedding in Spring runs around 10 inch length but with a girth of 13 inches or better. That is pie plate size. This time of the year when the water heats up you can still catch them but you will have to get down to about 20 to 30 feet....it all depends. IMHO the best time is late May first 2 weeks of June. Others may have a different time on that. I know folks who catch Gills all Summer long there.


Regards