Bluegill fishing at the Riverpark 1/09/2018

[drumking]

After posting this AM about my phone/computer problems, I had Candi email the pics from yesterday's trip, so now I will make a report.
We hit the water about noon and ran to the spots where we normally catch bluegills at this time of year. They were there. We started off using 1/24 oz jigs with Tiny Worm in chartreuse color with power bait crappie nibbles. The fishing was slow initially, but as we moved closer to the solunar predicted times for fish activity, the bites began to increase. Peak time was supposed to be 1:35 pm. As we had just caught our first double at 1:20, the TVA guys told us to move downstream about 1/4 mile while that blasted the lock area.

So, we ran downstream and anchored up up until they blasted at 2:00 and let us go back to our fishing. We fished until 3:00 when the North wind picked up and we began to feel the chill despite our layering of clothing. So, we quit for the afternoon.

Totals caught 29 and at least that many more missed bites. 17 were 8-9" long. 12 were 6-7" long. My friend and great guide, Richard Simms of Scenic Fishing Charters told me that the low flow had moved a lot of the fish out. He said when there is a higher flow, it pushed more gills into the area that we were fishing.

Technique: 1/24 oz jig heads with Southern Pro Tiny Worms in chartreuse color with pink crappie nibble powerbait and I went to the dropshot method with a number 6 Aberdeen gold hook about 12 inches above a small bank sinker weight. When I switched to this method of fishing, my catch ratio picked up significantly. Cuonthelake caught 2 small crappie and a small spotted bass in addition to bluegills. The only other fish that I caught besides bluegills was a small yellow perch that I released to grow up.

[trypman1]

Nice catch and pics!

[Kingfish1]

NIce mess of Bluegill! Thanks for sharing the report.

[spartannation]

Nice catch, Drumking. Have you ever tried a Hali jig or a Smelt stick. I use them year round here in Michigan and kill the gills on them. I usually tight line them but fish them under a slip bobber, too.Work on crappie as well.

[drumking]

To be truthful, Spartannation, I have never used them. I have never heard of them either is probably why I haven't tried them. I'll bet they are a killer on gills everywhere. I know that the bluegills that we caught the other day really wanted the Powerbail crappie bites or nibbles. That gave me the idea to try a hook that is made for salmon eggs and put a couple of powerbaits on them and use the drop shot method of presentation. I can't wait to try this technique. I will keep everyone posted on the results when the weather permits.

[Slabprowler]

Great report! Congrats on a great trip!

[spartannation]

I come through there a couple of times a year on my way to Atlanta to visit my daughter. One of these trips we'll have to meet up and I give you some to try.

[The Shootist]

Good to see your reports again DK, I have been away for a while but Im back..which solunar calendar or app do you use? thanks

[drumking]

Good to see your reports again DK, I have been away for a while but Im back..which solunar calendar or app do you use? thanks

https://www.fishingreminder.com/US/c...es/Chattanooga

[Muskrat]

Great pics and report.