Clarksville Area Fishing Report 6/19/13

[DaveS]

Did some fishing this morning at Cross Creeks and the Cumberland River. Cross Creeks impoundments were still and stagnant, no water flow at all. I got no bites (I was fishing for Bream and Cat) but one other person reported catching a bluegill. I hit the River with live Skipjack for some big cats, and it just didn't happen (if it's under 20 pounds I don't want those peskie dinks). Didn't catch any. Summer sun and heat is taking it's toll!

 

There was not enough current in the river to jug fish and since jug fishing Cross Creeks Refuge is illegal, we didn't bother to toss any jugs.

 

Will give an updated report tomorrow!

Happy Fishing!

 

Dave

[c.a.willard]

Had the same problem out at cross creeks on Sunday.  Did catch a dozen decent sized blue gill along with a few small fellas and a few of the worlds smallest striped bass .  Highlight of the trip was watching a little spotted fawn swim across the water.  Don't get to see that everyday and the wife got to see her first live copperhead.  

[DaveS]

It sounds like you had an adventurous day! I don't much care for the little spotted fawns taking to the water. I've had to rescue a couple that started drowning. I'd just a soon the little ones keep their hooves on dry ground!

 

DS

[Guest USMC 2013]

Small water (like Cross Creeks), fishing the shore lines and running jugs during the day are patterns that won't work again this year until it cools off around September.  Two of us caught 5 keeper bass and another dozen short fish in five hours on Saturday, but we were fishing structure 10-20' deep. 

 

The small-medium sized coves, places like Cross Creeks, etc... don't hold enough oxygen in the water once it gets hot.  Even if the fish are there they are too sluggish to bite.  Not saying it is impossible, but if the fish can find a way out of those places they do.  Sometime fish thick weed mats very early will work...sometimes.  Get out and fish some ledges on, or near, the main channel, especially days when there is current.

 

For jugs I run them over night this time of year.  The cats don't like the heat either but still have to eat so I run my jugs just before sunset and check them at first light the next am.  If I want to fish the main river I don't run jugs in the summer.  Find some honey holes, big blow downs or steep bends where some of the bank has been cut out.  Live bluegill or big goldfish will pull out the big flatheads.  Some channels and blues can be caught in the summer but not many big ones will be caught, compared to the cooler months.  You can catch MONSTER blues when it is snowing out!

 

Another good option right now is the steam plant.  You need a good rod that you can cast far, but fishing the back side of the catwalk at night will produce big flatheads through the summer.  Live bait is a must so bring some worms to catch yourself a few bluegills.

 

Basically what I am saying is this, plenty of great fishing right now but you need to change your tactics to get them this time of year.  Tight lines!

 

Joe

[DaveS]

I haven't been to the steam plant in a while. Do they allow night fishing again? I'm thinking about fishing the mouth of the channel in my boat. There is a really good hump out there that's paid off good in the past.

 

DaveS

[Guest USMC 2013]

Yes, you can fish at night legally now.  I've fished the mouth, actually just outside of it, from a boat once and we did fantastic!  If you need someone to go with let me know.

 

Joe

[DaveS]

Yes, you can fish at night legally now.  I've fished the mouth, actually just outside of it, from a boat once and we did fantastic!  If you need someone to go with let me know.

 

Joe

I'm always needing someone to go with. Just getting motivated to do it is the key! One of my favorite things is is to night bass fish at kentucky lake. Going after gear busting Cats is fun too! Let's see what we can pull off in July. 

 

Dave S