maryville/knoxville area bank fishing

try the ft loudoun dam area. specifically, go past the lock area entrance where all the road construction is going on, towards tellico village on hwy 444, and park on the right just before the boat ramp at tellico dam. follow the path back through the woods and across the field, maybe 100-150 yards or so, there's a sandy bank there where a lot of crappie are caught. just follow the crowd, haha. last time i went, there was about 8 people along the bank, and 11 boats trolling around out there. generally the bite is best very early in the morning and then later on in afternoon. whether or not the generators are on at ft loudoun and whether the water level is rising or falling seem to affect them pretty hard, you can be catching them almost every cast, they shut the dam off and the water begins to drop, or turn it on and the water starts coming up, and the bite will stop immediately.

fishing off the rocks below ft loudoun on the lock side can be good as well, but lately i have been mostly catching lots of white bass with the occasional crappie or smallie mixed in. you will pass the entrance on the right on the way to the other place. i go out there 3-4 times a week, may see you there.