Thread: No luck on watts barr Monday 1/2/17

Have never fished Watts Bar but I am sure someone will have a good answer for you on this site. Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Dave and Lynn

Have never fished Watts Bar but I am sure someone will have a good answer for you on this site. Good Luck.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on that answer.

I've only fished it in Apr/May & Oct/Nov ... and year to year the patterns seem to change, & sometimes quite drastically. Did not make it down there this past Fall, but the last trip down we were catching them on the ends of blowdowns about 20-25' deep in 25-30fow. Though, I do remember one trip in Nov., back a decade or so, that we caught them over brush in less than 15fow ... and some off the main lake bluffs between Whites Creek & the bay that Eden Marina is in.

According to the TWRA Region #3 Report :
Crappie: Creek channels leading into the river are holding fish. Deep secondary channels are also holding fish. Minnows or jigs fished deep are producing the better results.

Is the water pretty clear in your lake. If so you may not be fishing deep enough. I fished a clear water lake today. Fish were 32 to 36 feet deep in 39 to 45 feet of water.

Thanks for the reply, I will make it a point to look for some deep structure the next time I get to go. The lake I fish isn't really that clear but wasn't as stained as I thought it would be with all the rain we've got lately. What type of setup were you using to target fish that deep? I'm assuming they were spotted with electronics holding on structure?

Fshrofmen. Welcome aboard C.c. If you would like for us to know where you are from, please go back to your profile and edit it. Just type the town in front of Tn.

Originally Posted by "D"

Fshrofmen. Welcome aboard C.c. If you would like for us to know where you are from, please go back to your profile and edit it. Just type the town in front of Tn.

Ok thanks, I believe I have that changed now.

Originally Posted by Fshrofmen

Thanks for the reply, I will make it a point to look for some deep structure the next time I get to go. The lake I fish isn't really that clear but wasn't as stained as I thought it would be with all the rain we've got lately. What type of setup were you using to target fish that deep? I'm assuming they were spotted with electronics holding on structure?

If you're asking me : I fish water from 30ft deep & up with a single 1/16oz weedless jighead and a plastic bait (like a Panfish Assassin or 2" stinger shad of various brands). I usually cast my jig and swim it back, but will also use what I call Vertical Casting at times ... like when I'm positioned directly over the spot I'm catching fish from. The article I wrote will explain Vertical Casting : Crappie Pappy Article

As for how I found those spots ... I kinda lucked up on them, when visually searching for downed trees during a Spring trip when the fish were spawning in the shallows around the trunks of those trees. But, yes, I did use my electronics to scan the area for water depth and how deep the tree tops/branches extended out into the water depth.

Watts Bar seems to have gotten harder to fish, pattern fish, or even find fish (being where one would expect them to be under the conditions & normal seasonal locations). But, in recent years, when you do catch one ... it's a big, healthy fish. We haven't really caught many of sub-legal size in our trips over the last 8-10yrs.

Back in 2000-2005, Spring or Fall, we'd be shooting docks & catching good size & numbers. Since then, things have gradually changed to where most all the normal patterns no longer exist, and one has to do a lot of searching & trying different depths & techniques. And even that may not be sufficient.

Some blame the ash spill, while others (like me) think the change in the timing of the pool levels has been the culprit. All I do know is that a lot of the spawns, over the last few years, have not been "normal" (in their timing), if they even took place at all. A couple of years ago we were catching egg laden females in late April, with water temps around 70deg, out in 20fow ... and there were no males on the spawning banks !!

I like to use the smallest jig I can get by with. Usually 1/32. I use a 1/4 weight about 18 inches above it. A big split shot will work. If your lake is stained they probably will not go as deep. They will relate to a big drop off. Stumps, brush and rocks will concentrate the fish. If your lake has a good bit of current the fish will sometimes not go super deep. I fished pickwick today. Fish there were 10 to 12 feet deep in around 15 feet of water. Holding tight to rocks and brush on steep drop offs. I prefer to vertical jig in deeper water. Precise depth presentation is key.