Water temps high, but fish still biting
Chickamauga ‘ The water surface temperature is averaging 86 degrees in most areas. Time of day and location will affect the temperature. Bass are being caught on the deep humps and ledges. Any irregular feature will greatly increase the odds of finding a few bass. Many schooling bass are being caught. Plastic worms and swimbaits are being used most often on the deeper fish and shallow crankbaits are being used most often on the schooling fish. Crappie and white bass are being caught at night in the larger creeks while fishing underneath any type of light source. Minnows and spoons are as good as any other lure or bait. Catfish are being caught while drifting in the main channel. Many baits can be used, but shad will be the best choice. Bluegill are being caught on the river ledges in water depths of 15 feet and deeper. 25 feet should be the optimal depth. Small jigs and crickets are as good as anything else.
Dale Hollow ‘ Fishing is fair. The water temperature is 91 degrees; lake is falling. Bass fishing is fair at night on spinnerbaits and soft, plastic while fishing points and drops in 15-to-25 feet of water. Some good catches of walleye are being caught on spinner rigs in the heat of the day in 28-to-32 feet of water. Walleye are being caught at night on large crankbaits while trolling in 25 feet of water.
Watts Bar ‘ The water temperature is on average 86 degrees. The time of day and location will influence the temperature. Main river points, ledges, and irregular features are the locations most anglers are catching the majority of their fish. Most anglers are fishing very early or late in the day. Jigs and worms are catching the largest numbers of fish, but some anglers are catching the more aggressive fish first on crankbaits. Sonar units, when fully utilized, will increase the catch rate significantly while fishing for deep water fish. Crappie and white bass are being caught at night while fishing underneath lights. Minnows are the best bait for this type of fishing. Catfish are being caught in the main channel in all areas of the lake. Most normal catfish baits and techniques are being employed. White bass are being caught while chasing shad on the surface. Shallow crankbaits and topwater lures are being used most often. Striped bass and hybrid bass are being caught in the tailwater areas below Melton Hill and Ft. Loudoun. Topwater lures are better late in the day and shad is always highly effective. Patterns are not going to change a lot until the weather or water changes.
(Information provided by TWRA; compiled by Dale Stubblefield)