Watts Bar 3/5

[jon the fisherman]

Went to Paint Rock Creek and bass fished with a friend. we had a slow day with a few bass, but one about 5 lbs. Caught on a spinner bait. Watermelon jig also caught a few. The big fish was in 3' of water on the end of a blow down. Lots of shad jumping and gulls. Lots of crappie fisherman trolling in Buck creek, saw 7 boats in there.

Sorry the pic is so big. The areas in yellow are where we caught fish.

 

[Bprice]

Thanks for the report Jon... I had little luck on Wheeler today... and TONS of crappie fisherman out too.

 

[jon the fisherman]

no problem Bprice. I should have crappie fished but could not put the bait caster down.emoCool

 

[DHaun]

Thanks Jon - Google Earth is a great tool for sharing info like that!

 

[Bprice]

Thats why I have to leave the Baitcaster at home if I have my mind on Crappie or Bluegill!!! Something about them bass!

 

[SNUFFY]

google earth has become one of my favorite tools to look for particular types of areas...on norris last week i was looking for shallower areas with maximum sunlite exposure for warmer water..so much of norris is typical east tenn topography... all ridges or narrow valleys in between ...I was also looking for flatland type areas with creeks in the sunlite to warm early too.!! by using the tilt button on the google earth ,you can get a lot better look at the lay of the land alot better than with the straight down satellite view or even a topo map...just like flying treetop in a small plane.... a whole different perspective..try it !!

 

[polo-dog]

jon, thanks for the great info. Google earth is a great source of info. I also like terraserver.microsoft.com as it seems to show bottom contours a little better in some areas. Especially Chickamauga as the aerial photos were in March when the water was down. You can also pick out some of the springs on terraserver if the water is murky and the spring has good flow. It looks like the areas that were best in the creek were where the channel came up close to the bank and outside bends. That sounds like typical prespawn bassin' to me. Thanks again for the info. You are good with the "paint" program. I love to email maps that are "painted up" to buddies looking to find fish.

 

[rsimms]

Wow! Marked map... I'm impressed!

 

[fisherpal2k]

Good job jon. Thanks for the info. This is what its all about. Maybe you can get on them big time in the next week. this warm front ought to really turn them on.

 

[Fusion Man]

Jon- How warm was the water in the TN River? I found it to be in the low 50's by the dam and 53-54 by Phillips Branch.

 

[jon the fisherman]

sorry for the slow reply, benn working crazy hours lately.

The water up the Tennessee River was 48 in the channel and 53 in paint rock creek.

I will draw out more maps later