Fall/Winter and Center Hill

[creekcrappie]

I have fished Center Hill twice. The water is usually very clear. One time was in march and the fishing was horrible. The next was a few months ago and I had a great day out there. We fished around Davies island in about 30 foot of water. I was using a 3/8 ounce t-rigged Go 2 Baits Swimming craw in both Green Pumpkin and Watermelon Red. That being said, Center Hill would not be my first choice of lakes to fish in Tennessee. It just isn’t really my style of fishing.

[Brian]

This time of the year I like to stay a few miles from Floating Mill park. Fishing point that lead into coves and pockets. Search for bait and try the Alabama rig and football head jigs. The fish are on their way in the back of pocket and coves to feed on bait. Also, always have a spook or popper on the deck for some topwater action. Indian Creek has tons of good cover and structure as well.

[tnbassman10]

quote Kessler82:

I am looking to spend some time this fall and winter on Center Hill, I typically fish Priest and have only rarely fished Center Hill, out of Hurricane Bridge.

Any general areas to focus on that you may recommend? Presentations/Approach? I understand the lake is much clearer than say Priest or OHL. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

How far into winter are you willing to fish? This year has been crazy with the warm temperatures that have my friends in Cookeville a bit stumped. I lived in Cookeville for 5 years while I attended TTU and started the bass fishing team in my time there. Whenever I wasn’t in class, working, or away on a college fishing tournament trip, I was at Center Hill or Cordell Hull hunting or fishing. I really struggled with the depth and clarity of Center Hill so I stuck to Cordell Hull throughout most of the year. Cordell reminded me of Old Hickory and seemed to be loaded with fish, albeit small fish–remember, I was just out for fun. The more fish the better is the way I normally looked at it. However, I learned to fish Center Hill in the winter time with a couple of my fishing buddies when distant family relatives from Baxter, TN, told me to try jigging a spoon through the bait. Once December hits, Center Hill would catch fire! Often times you would catch crappie, catfish, drum, smallies, largemouth, and spots all on the same spot! Anyways, you’d idle around coves looking for giant balls of bait. Once you found the bait, you’d throw out a marker and go back and jig spoons just below the bait ball. It was hit or miss. It’s alot like ledge fishing–you catch them or you dont. Don’t sit around too long, just pick up and find another ball of bait if one isn’t producing. Eventually you’ll find a ball of bait being attacked and the fishing will be furious an frantic. You’ll catch 5,10,15, or even 20 nearly consecutively as a feeding frenzy will have begun. Some days you’d go out and catch 2-3 fish all day and other times you’d catch 30-40 in a day.

Believe it or not, I’ve caught crappie, bass, and even giant BLUE GILL 50ft+ and I once caught a catfish that was probably 60ft deep. Most times though, you’re looking to fish 25-40ft deep (just a couple of feet below the ball of bait).

This year has been difficult so far because of the very warm temperatures. Normally people start catching them on spoons Thanksgiving week but it is about a month behind this year (from what I hear).