Fishing Report by TWRA creel clerks
TELLICO FISHING REPORT – Charley Hensley
05 January 2011
WATER CONDITIONS
The predicted water level is approximately 809.70 feet above sea level.
The average surface temperature has dropped slightly to the mid 40’s.
The reservoir is mostly clear, but still a little stained in areas where creeks and rivers flow into the main parts of the reservoir.
SUMMARY
The crappies are still doing great, and the black crappies are showing up in good numbers. They are still congregating around fallen timber and submerged brushpiles. The cooler water temperatures are helping other species of fish to bite better also. All types of fish are chasing the forage fish, including white bass, black bass, striped bass, largemouth, smallmouth, crappie, catfish, walleye, perch, and even skipjack. If you find forage fish on a fish finder or depth finder, the predator fish are usually nearby waiting for a chance to attack the school of forage fish. If the predator fish are jumping and splashing (commonly called “breaking”) then they are chasing and attacking the schooling forage fish near the water surface, causing them to “break” the surface. The bass are also starting to congregate closer to submerged and partially submerged timber, although they still seem to prefer the points next to deep water. Currently, using a big willow leaf spinnerbait in chartreuse and white with gold blades on the deep sides of points near the river channel is producing good results for bass. Crankbaits are catching some good sized bass. Bandit crankbaits in forage fish colors and rattle traps in chrome and blue are doing well right now. Because of cooler water temperatures, most species of predator fish are exploring shallower water looking for food, making them easier to catch. Crappie are even moving back into shallower water with jigging and trolling working the best for finding crappie.
STRIPED BASS
3 to 12-feet
Moderating
There are a few striped bass being caught in the upper and lower end of the reservoir. Most of the bigger stripers are up around the Chilhowee Dam area. The canal between Tellico and Fort Loudoun reservoirs is another excellent place to fish for some big striped bass. Some are being caught from the bank, and some from boat. Big chartreuse or white bucktail jigs in the 7/8 to 1-oz. size are the best lure choice. Live skipjack in the 8-12 inch range is the best live bait. Swimbaits are also catching a few.
CRAPPIE
6 to 10-feet
Improving
The crappie bite is still improving, and the black crappies are showing up in good numbers. They seem to be moving their way back up to shallower water and into the brushpiles and submerged timber. Trolling grubs close to the river and creek channels is a good place to start. On the Ballplay side of the reservoir, crappies are beginning to congregate around the area of the Ballplay Bridge in about 5-7 feet of water. Chartreuse, white, and silver grubs in 1/16 to 1/8 oz. size are doing very well right now. Pink heads with blue grubs is a great choice. But, the float and minnow is doing just as well and even better than artificial lures.
BASS (Largemouth and Smallmouth)
3 to 10-feet
Improving
The bass bite has improved due to the cooler water and cooler days and nights. Points still seem to be the biggest bass magnets. The deep sides of points seem to be preferred by the bigger bass. Run deep diving crankbaits down the deep sides of points and even work jigs down deep for some of the bigger bass. Big chartreuse or white spinnerbaits are doing ok, along with bandit crankbaits in either crawfish or red color. Black and blue jigs, along with green pumpkin, seem to be the best color choices in ¼ to ½ ounce size. Pearl white flukes and sinkos are doing fair in the evening just before dark, while jointed rapalas are catching some also.
BLUEGILL
2 to 8-feet
Moderating
Bluegills are beginning to moderate slightly. They prefer small live bait such as crickets, red worms, pieces of nightcrawlers and even small artificial lures like grubs and very small crankbaits. A slip bobber set up is a good way to find some bigger bluegills when they are a little deeper. But, right now, you can find them anywhere on the reservoir. Submerged timber and brush are the best places to find these tasty panfish.
CATFISH
8 to 30-feet
Moderating
The catfish are still biting fair at night. Nightcrawlers and chicken liver seem to be the top bait choices for some nice sized catfish. However, cut bait seems to be the best bait for the bigger cats. Cut bait mainly consists of a shad or other oily baitfish, cut into pieces and placed on a fairly big hook with a 1/2 to 1 ½- ounce sinker. It is best to have heavier rods and reels for the bigger cats because they can pull very hard once hooked. They have even been known to pull entire fishing poles from the hands of anglers on occasion. Catfish primarily range from 1 or 2 pounds up to and including some in the 50 to 60-lb. range. It is possible to catch them during daylight hours, but they seem to be more active at night.
