Fishing Report by TWRA creel clerks and huntfishbuddy
MELTON HILL FISHING REPORT – Charley Hensley
23 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 793.8 ft. above sea level.
The average water surface temperature is right at 50 degrees.
Cooler surface temperatures can be found in the early morning hours.
The reservoir is mostly clear.
SUMMARY
Crappies are biting a little better this week down around the 20-25 ft. mark holding tight to structure. The reservoir is just about 2 tenths below full pool. Recent rains have made the reservoir a little discolored in some areas. A little bit of color in the water does help sometimes because it helps to keep the fish from seeing boats and anglers. Lures that make some noise, such as crankbaits with rattles inside and other lures that have flash such as spinnerbaits usually do well in colored and stained water. Bluegills and all other types of sunfish are still fairly active but moderating somewhat. The largemouth, smallmouth and the spotted bass are still biting, but have moderated also. Muskies are doing fair right now and seem to be holding close to structure.
MUSKIES
Moderating
3 to 12-feet
The main channel below the steam plant is always a good place to try. Fallen timber and submerged or at least partially submerged timber seems to be a favorite hangout for big muskies. Big chartreuse spinner baits and big trout imitating jerk baits are a good choice right now. Bulldogs and shallow invaders are excellent lure choices for big muskies. Remember, there is 50 inch minimum length limit on these trophy fish. This means a musky less than 50 inches must be returned to the water unharmed.
BASS
Moderating
6 to 12-feet
The bass bite improves with the right conditions. When the water in the reservoir is murky and full of sediment, and the current is strong, the big bass seem to like these conditions very well. It seems as though the bass like to wait in ambush positions, such as the downstream side of points and rocky outcrops. They seem to just lay there out of the current waiting for forage fish such as shad and other smaller fish to swim by or be swept by with the current and the bass just grab them as they come by. Big chartreuse and white spinnerbaits seem to be the lure of choice right now. But, crankbaits are doing fair also. It does help if the dam is spilling water which it has been lately. If the dam is not spilling the bite seems to be a little slower. Rocky outcrops and points seem to be holding the bigger bass, while submerged timber or underwater humps and islands are holding good numbers also. The downstream sides of ambush positions are very good spots to swim a spinnerbait through. Deep divers and swimbaits are good lure choices for fishing deep water. Rattletraps and other lipless crankbaits are good for covering lots of water quickly.
CRAPPIE
Improving
6 to 17-feet
Crappies seem to be biting better, but you may have to go as deep as 25 ft. to find them. Submerged structure like brushpiles and just about any other fallen timber is holding some good keeper sized crappies. Around 22 ft. seems to be the magic depth for the bigger fish. Reactor Bend in the Reactor Cove area is a good place to start looking for the crappies. 1/16th oz. hair jigs in brown and brown and white is a good lure choice.
STRIPED BASS
2 to 12-feet
The striped bass are always present in Melton Hill and there have been a few anglers fishing for them. The best bait for stripers or (rock fish) is undoubtedly live skipjack. Live skipjack hooked thru the back just behind the dorsal fin with about a 6/0 circle hook is a good rig for stripers.
You can either tightline them or tie a partially inflated balloon onto your line at whatever depth you desire. Let the skipjack swim around as much as it wants to. Striped Bass have no trouble swallowing an 8-10 inch skipjack. However, you must have heavier tackle for these big fish.
16 February 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 793.8 ft. above sea level.
The average water surface temperature is right at 50 degrees.
Cooler surface temperatures can be found in the early morning hours.
The reservoir is mostly clear.
SUMMARY
No changes this week. Fishing is a little slow and it looks as though the reservoir has been dropped about 2-3 feet, which could possibly be for dock repair and shoreline cleanup. Recent rains have made the reservoir a little discolored in some areas. A little bit of color in the water does help sometimes because it helps to keep the fish from seeing boats and anglers. Lures that make some noise, such as crankbaits with rattles inside and other lures that have flash such as spinnerbaits usually do well in colored and stained water. Bluegills and all other types of sunfish are still fairly active but moderating somewhat. The largemouth, smallmouth and the spotted bass are still biting, but have moderated also. Muskies are doing fair right now and seem to be holding close to structure.
MUSKIES
Moderating
3 to 12-feet
The musky bite seems to be moderating slightly but should get better as the water temperatures continue to cool. The main channel below the steam plant is always a good place to try. Fallen timber and submerged or at least partially submerged timber seems to be a favorite hangout for big muskies. Big chartreuse spinner baits and big trout imitating jerk baits are a good choice right now. Bulldogs and shallow invaders are excellent lure choices for big muskies. Remember, there is 50 inch minimum length limit on these trophy fish. This means a musky less than 50 inches must be returned to the water unharmed.
BASS
Moderating
6 to 12-feet
The bass bite improves with the right conditions. When the water in the reservoir is murky and full of sediment, and the current is strong, the big bass seem to like these conditions very well. It seems as though the bass like to wait in ambush positions, such as the downstream side of points and rocky outcrops. They seem to just lay there out of the current waiting for forage fish such as shad and other smaller fish to swim by or be swept by with the current and the bass just grab them as they come by. Big chartreuse and white spinnerbaits seem to be the lure of choice right now. But, crankbaits are doing fair also. It does help if the dam is spilling water which it has been lately. If the dam is not spilling the bite seems to be a little slower. Rocky outcrops and points seem to be holding the bigger bass, while submerged timber or underwater humps and islands are holding good numbers also. The downstream sides of ambush positions are very good spots to swim a spinnerbait through. Deep divers and swimbaits are good lure choices for fishing deep water. Rattletraps and other lipless crankbaits are good for covering lots of water quickly.
CRAPPIE
Slow
6 to 17-feet
Crappie are still around but are still scattered for the most part. Your best bet for crappie is fishing about 17-22 feet deep, using live minnows. Submerged timber close to deeper water is a good place to start looking.
STRIPED BASS
2 to 12-feet
The striped bass are always present in Melton Hill and there have been a few anglers fishing for them. The best bait for stripers or (rock fish) is undoubtedly live skipjack. Live skipjack hooked thru the back just behind the dorsal fin with about a 6/0 circle hook is a good rig for stripers.
You can either tightline them or tie a partially inflated balloon onto your line at whatever depth you desire. Let the skipjack swim around as much as it wants to. Striped Bass have no trouble swallowing an 8-10 inch skipjack. However, you must have heavier tackle for these big fish.
February 9, 2012
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 793.8 ft. above sea level.
The average water surface temperature is right at 50 degrees.
Cooler surface temperatures can be found in the early morning hours.
The reservoir is mostly clear.
SUMMARY Fishing is a little slow this week and it looks as though the reservoir has been dropped about 2-3 feet, which could possibly be for dock repair and shoreline cleanup. Recent rains have made the reservoir a little discolored in some areas. A little bit of color in the water does help sometimes because it helps to keep the fish from seeing boats and anglers. Lures that make some noise, such as crankbaits with rattles inside and other lures that have flash such as spinnerbaits usually do well in colored and stained water. Bluegills and all other types of sunfish are still fairly active but moderating somewhat. The largemouth, smallmouth and the spotted bass are still biting, but have moderated also. Muskies are doing fair right now and seem to be holding close to structure.
MUSKIES
Improving
3 to 12-feet
The main channel below the steam plant is always a good place to try. Fallen timber and submerged or at least partially submerged timber seems to be a favorite hangout for big muskies. Big chartreuse spinner baits and big trout imitating jerk baits are a good choice right now. Bulldogs and shallow invaders are excellent lure choices for big muskies. Remember, there is 50 inch minimum length limit on these trophy fish. This means a musky less than 50 inches must be returned to the water unharmed.
BASS
Moderating
6 to 12-feet
Big chartreuse and white spinnerbaits seem to be the lure of choice right now. But, crankbaits are doing fair also. It does help if the dam is spilling water which it has been lately. If the dam is not spilling the bite seems to be a little slower. Rocky outcrops and points seem to be holding the bigger bass, while submerged timber or underwater humps and islands are holding good numbers also. The downstream sides of ambush positions are very good spots to swim a spinnerbait through. Deep divers and swimbaits are good lure choices for fishing deep water. Rattletraps and other lipless crankbaits are good for covering lots of water quickly.
CRAPPIE
Slow
6 to 17-feet
Crappie are still around but are still scattered for the most part. Your best bet for crappie is fishing about 17-22 feet deep, using live minnows. Submerged timber close to deeper water is a good place to start looking.
STRIPED BASS
2 to 12-feet
The striped bass are always present in Melton Hill and there have been a few anglers fishing for them. The best bait for stripers or (rock fish) is undoubtedly live skipjack. Live skipjack hooked thru the back just behind the dorsal fin with about a 6/0 circle hook is a good rig for stripers.
You can either tightline them or tie a partially inflated balloon onto your line at whatever depth you desire. Let the skipjack swim around as much as it wants to. Striped Bass have no trouble swallowing an 8-10 inch skipjack. However, you must have heavier tackle for these big fish.
