For the past two years I've made a trip a trip up to fish Pickwick and Wilson this time of year in hopes of catching some small mouth. Both years the river has been flooded and no small mouth but have managed to catch a few large mouths. I'm planning a trip for this Friday and Saturday. Any help or info on which lake to fish, what lures the fish are biting and what type of structure are they holding on. PM me if needed if you don't want to advertise. I'm no tournament fisherman and I only make one maybe two trips a year up to TN river.

Thanks

Sorry I can't help with any specifics, as I haven't fished either recently. But I did see a picture of the winning bag from the Heartland Anglers tournament on Wilson about a week ago. Winning weight was 26.7 lbs, all smallmouth. 2nd place had 25+, and top 5 were all 20+lbs. Really either lake should be really good right now, but the weather, water levels, and extreme current can make it a crap shoot.

SUUMABICH...

The word I am getting is shallow water spawning going on like crazy on both lakes. I am not expert bass fisherman, just the inside information I am receiving...

Just read some up to date fishing reports from a local bass guide. He says on Wilson fish the bluffs that are exposed to current, numbers not great but the big smallies are eating, catching several over 6 lbs. On Pickwick, focus on down the lake around the grass.

10-4

I fished Wilson Saturday. My best smallmouth was about 4 lbs. Caught all of my fish on a Rapala DT6 in Demon color. Warmest water temp that I found was 59.7

They’ve been catching smallmouth in the tailraces for a couple of weeks now, I didn’t get in on that circus Saturday.

Gonna b a muddy mess next 5 days or so again

Tailrace below Wilson throw big swim baits upstream and bounce em across rock piles have to have a 1/2 ounce head or bigger depending on current. Largemouth starting to move up now but past couple tourneys had some big bags of smallies come from the tailrace

I meant below wheeler dam not wilson

We fished Wilson today. Caught 10-12 this morning biggest being 4.8 lb all largemouth and on a spinner bait or chatterbait all in 6 ft or less.

awesome day on Wilson. with my brother and son we caught a 6,5,4,4, 3, 2.5 and 5 small ones. All largemouth caught on crankbaits around wood.

I've always caught the snot out of fish on the upper end of Wilson in these high water/current situations this time of year. Fish will pile up on points when its right, which is right now. Usually throw a Norman crank bait with green back; they get silly with it. Was hoping to fish Tuesday but looks like significant rain; have to wait n see

It never fails. I didn't go because I spoke with a guy that had fished 4 days without catching any small mouth. Wouldn't have mattered much as I got on a turkey until 1:00 so that would have cut into my fishing time.

it's hard to chase those birds and big bass at thew same time.

I’ve caught a 6 and 5 largemouth. Other than that it’s been slow for me.

😜🤦🏻‍♂️

Well, it’s 2:00am and like always I can’t sleep when I’m pumped about getting up early and doing what I love. Headed back turkey huntin in Russellville but taking boat this trip. Headed to Wilson after looking for a bird. Hope I find a boat ramp open.

Catching anything?

Only caught 5 dinks so far