Shoals Creek Wheeler Lake Tennessee River

[RickJohnson]

Wow the fish moved Deep early this year. All the places I caught them last year are deserted. I have found them in there normal haunts for JANUARY though, DEEP and Im talking 35 FOW. Temp on the lake is upper 50s and water is very clear. Fished around the 72 bridge and caught a few, then moved to an outside bend on the creek where the water is 40 - 45 feet deep and found them suspended over some tops. Monkey Milk on an 1/8 ounce jig was all they wanted, I drowned shiners all day and caught 1 fish on it.

[Ditch Basser]

Great report, thanks.

I never fish deeper then 10 feet and usually under 6 feet. At least I'll know where they went if I stop catching them!

[RogerA]

Thanks for the report, congrats on finding them.

[Bob D]

Wow, great report thanks. I've never fished that deep with a jig before. Bet that is one good thump if you're vertical jigging that deep.

[Tadpole!!]

Great report, thanks.

I never fish deeper then 10 feet and usually under 6 feet. At least I'll know where they went if I stop catching them!

I'm with you Ditch. Only thing I ever fished that deep for was Sauger. When the crappie go deep I am lost.

[flintcreek]

When you are talking 35' deep, it must take forever to get a 1/8th ounce jig that deep or do you use some sort of a rig and a bigger weight? When they go much over 6' my catching stops, it ever starts. Nice job.

[RickJohnson]

45 seconds i time it sometimes u feel the thump and sometimes its just tension on the line. I went again yesterday and caught 12 of those 3 of them were over 2.5 pounds. There are some big fish on Shoals Creek just not a lot of them. Ran into a couple guys who have been there all week and couldnt catch any so I gave them my catch and told them to come by the house before they went home and I would give them some more. My freezer is well stocked.

[Slabprowler]

That's the way to go proud of ya!sharing and caring we need more friendly folks like that.