JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

Bill
Dance’s
Three
ey
ords
I learned very early in
my fishing career that
remembering three key
words on all fishing trips
was far more important
than most other factors . . .
H
ey, I’m often asked “Where’s a good place to catch can bet, the majority of fish in the area you’re fishing
really big bass in Tennessee?” Well, at least part will select and use a preferred depth.
of the answer is easy, especially when it comes
to smallmouth. Beautiful Dale Hollow lake situated
along the Kentucky border in middle Tennessee has
to be my number one choice and the reason is simple.
It’s where the world record smallmouth (11 lbs 15 oz)
was caught in 1955 and some great fish are caught here
Naturally, the better you know a lake, the easier
it’s going to be to determine the correct depth on
a given day. There really isn’t an easy way to find
the right depth, but there are a few tips that might
shorten the time.
regularly.
One would be trial and error. Begin fishing different
Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River in west
Tennessee is another great choice for big brownies as
are Tim’s Ford and Center Hill reservoirs.
depth levels until you catch at least a couple of fish.
Then concentrate your time fishing that depth in
that area. If you change areas to a different part of the
lake, you may have to repeat the same procedure.
For big largemouth bass, the answer is harder, because
when all is considered, my home state of Tennessee
offers numerous destinations for quality bass fishing.
There just aren’t any bad places, in my opinion, so look
over the choices and flip a coin. Check out the TWRA
web site for latest news on what’s happening where.
Another way is to ask the boat dock operator or a
local fishing guide, or even an angler whom you
see on the lake or who has just returned to the
dock. The most important question you can ask is
what depth he caught his fish and what area of the
lake he’s fishing. Surprisingly, many will share this
Perhaps more important than me trying to advise information with you.
you on which particular lakes to visit in Tennessee,
is sharing some tips that can help wherever you fish
here. I learned very early in my fishing career that
remembering three key words on all fishing trips was
far more important than most other factors. I want to
share them and some important information about
Another key way to establish a depth is perhaps the
best of all, and that’s relying on a depth finder.
This unit will not only show you the depth, it’ll show
you fish, the depth they’re using and even the cover
they’re positioned in.
each which I hope you’ll keep in mind wherever you
fish in our beloved state. I’m talking about Depth,
Location, Presentation. Those three words must be
applied on every fishing trip you make if you’re going
to be successful.
The best fisherman around can fish the best bait in
the world, but if he’s fishing the wrong depth, he
won’t catch many fish. At the right depth, almost
anyone can catch fish, if he’s fishing the right
location with the proper lure for that location and
dePtH
using the correct presentation. Depth is dictated by
the food supply, oxygen content, water temp, time of
Finding the right depth is perhaps the single most
important factor in bass fishing. If you’re not fishing
the correct depth, you’re really wasting your time.
day and even time of year.
Sure, you may catch a fish here and one there, but you (Continued on page 42)
18
2008 Fishing Guide