|
This lakes borders TN, MS, and AL stretching from Pickwick Dam to Florence, AL. It is approximately 52 miles long with several large tributaries that stretch off of it. Dry, Yellow, Bear, Second, Cane, Cypress and Spring creeks are some of the most popular tributaries. Stateline, Koger, and Seven Mile Islands are also are also very popular areas to fish. The lake is a great Smallmouth lake that is known all over the country. The Largemouth are also plentiful and can save the day when there is no current. As far as cover and structure in the lake you can find something that fits your style. From bluff walls and ledges to shallow flats there is any number of structures you can fish.
|
This site is from TVA giving some background information on the lake and lake levels (Click on Red site link)
TVA Pickwick Information Site
TVA Pickwick Information Site
Lake Features - Pickwick has many types of structure and covers. Bluffwalls line the lake from end to end.
These can be great when the fish want to move vertically within the water column and provide cover and food. Ledges also are another great structure throughout the lake that you will need to search. Look for ledges with large rocks and
mussels to find the sweet spots. Grass is a little newer to Pickwick and becoming a prevalant cover that is beginning to play a factor in tournaments. Also, peagravel points are littered throughout the lake as well. During higher
water times there will be flooded bushes that are prime targets at those times.
Favorite Areas of the lake are divided into specific areas or sections and each has it on personality. Yellow Creek and Dry Creeks with their shallow flats and rocky points are favorite creeks because of their deep water with shallow water close by for the fish to access. Bear Creek and Indian are shallower more sloping creeks with shallower cover and brush that are favorite spring areas. Seven Mile and Koger Islands are another favorite area with main river ledges that butt up against shallow ledges and cover and offer a mixed bag of fish and techniques. Stateline Island also has grass and deep ledges that you can offer great fishing as well. You can find just about any kind of water you want to fish in this lake part of why it is one of my favorites.
Pickwick is located in three states bordering TN, MS, and AL and a really common question everyone asks is what
licenses do you have to have. A large chunk of the lake is reciprocal and here is a link from MDWFP that outlines it. http://bit.ly/1fLzkac
Pickwick Lake Tactics and Techniques
Click on the above link to see more information.
Popular Baits :
Carolina rigs on ledges and pea gravel points using pumpkinseed and green pumpkin type colors are great for the Largemouth and Smallmouths. Also, a rig with a full size creature bait like the 6" Bush Pig can be a
great choice, too.
Spinnerbaits are good in Spring and Fall in white and chartreuse. The small mouth seem to love a White blade
when it is cloudy out. Look for windblown banks where fish are concentrated against the bank chasing shad or baitfish feeding on plankton. Don't be scared to throw a blade right against or around bluff walls. Another tip is to pull them with the current.
Crankbaits in shad patterns or white are great all year. Fished shallow and deep. A squarebill can be used
around shallow structure all over the lake. Deep diving crankbaits on the ledges are a great starter bait to activate a school by getting that first reflex bite. Chartruese and Blue and Crawfish patterns are great in the spring.
Football jigs are great ledge fishing baits in the summer and are a mainstay from June through September. 1/2 to 1 oz. sizes are the most popular depending on the depth of water you are fishing. Green pumpkin, Missouri Craw, Bama Bug, and PB&J are some of the most popular colors. Dragging them through structure can really key you on details of the area and help pinpoint the sweetspots. Also, stroking them off the bottom can
be a great way to cause a reflex bite. I, also, carry other styles of jigs including Flatlands Custom tackle lead jigs and flipping jigs.
Topwaters are great when you catch fish schooling. A popper type top water can ellicit huge strikes from
a big ol' small mouth when you have slick water and grass tops etc. A walking style topwater is my choice for schooling fish or over flats or points.
A-Rigs are the hot thing on Pickwick right not and they are catching great numbers and some big fish on them right now.
These can be great when the fish want to move vertically within the water column and provide cover and food. Ledges also are another great structure throughout the lake that you will need to search. Look for ledges with large rocks and
mussels to find the sweet spots. Grass is a little newer to Pickwick and becoming a prevalant cover that is beginning to play a factor in tournaments. Also, peagravel points are littered throughout the lake as well. During higher
water times there will be flooded bushes that are prime targets at those times.
Favorite Areas of the lake are divided into specific areas or sections and each has it on personality. Yellow Creek and Dry Creeks with their shallow flats and rocky points are favorite creeks because of their deep water with shallow water close by for the fish to access. Bear Creek and Indian are shallower more sloping creeks with shallower cover and brush that are favorite spring areas. Seven Mile and Koger Islands are another favorite area with main river ledges that butt up against shallow ledges and cover and offer a mixed bag of fish and techniques. Stateline Island also has grass and deep ledges that you can offer great fishing as well. You can find just about any kind of water you want to fish in this lake part of why it is one of my favorites.
Pickwick is located in three states bordering TN, MS, and AL and a really common question everyone asks is what
licenses do you have to have. A large chunk of the lake is reciprocal and here is a link from MDWFP that outlines it. http://bit.ly/1fLzkac
Pickwick Lake Tactics and Techniques
Click on the above link to see more information.
Popular Baits :
Carolina rigs on ledges and pea gravel points using pumpkinseed and green pumpkin type colors are great for the Largemouth and Smallmouths. Also, a rig with a full size creature bait like the 6" Bush Pig can be a
great choice, too.
Spinnerbaits are good in Spring and Fall in white and chartreuse. The small mouth seem to love a White blade
when it is cloudy out. Look for windblown banks where fish are concentrated against the bank chasing shad or baitfish feeding on plankton. Don't be scared to throw a blade right against or around bluff walls. Another tip is to pull them with the current.
Crankbaits in shad patterns or white are great all year. Fished shallow and deep. A squarebill can be used
around shallow structure all over the lake. Deep diving crankbaits on the ledges are a great starter bait to activate a school by getting that first reflex bite. Chartruese and Blue and Crawfish patterns are great in the spring.
Football jigs are great ledge fishing baits in the summer and are a mainstay from June through September. 1/2 to 1 oz. sizes are the most popular depending on the depth of water you are fishing. Green pumpkin, Missouri Craw, Bama Bug, and PB&J are some of the most popular colors. Dragging them through structure can really key you on details of the area and help pinpoint the sweetspots. Also, stroking them off the bottom can
be a great way to cause a reflex bite. I, also, carry other styles of jigs including Flatlands Custom tackle lead jigs and flipping jigs.
Topwaters are great when you catch fish schooling. A popper type top water can ellicit huge strikes from
a big ol' small mouth when you have slick water and grass tops etc. A walking style topwater is my choice for schooling fish or over flats or points.
A-Rigs are the hot thing on Pickwick right not and they are catching great numbers and some big fish on them right now.
