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Nashville,
TN – We’re not in Kansas (err…Iowa) anymore Toto! The storms and the deluge of water that followed have forced many rivers in the Midwest – including the mighty Mississippi – into record-level flood stages forced the ninth
stop of the 2008 Elite Series away from Iowa and into Tennessee.
Angler's thoughts are with the people in
Iowa due to the recent flooding. The
unfortunate situation in Iowa has created
a unique situation at Old Hickory.
Three days of practice this week and no
pre-fishing prior to the cutoff. Let
the game begin on Thursday.
While this week marks the first time the Elites have visited Old Hickory, to many fishing the Tennessee Triumph at Old Hickory, this week will be a little more “comfortable” given that BASS has held tour-level events there four times since 1996 – with the last coming in 2000. And while the 22,500-acre lake, located near Metropolitan Nashville, TN, likely won’t cough up many (if any) 20+-pound stringers over the week, the resurgence of milfoil and a solid forage base of shad will certainly provide ample opportunities for the 107-angler field.
As The BASS ZONE reported earlier in the week though, anglers are “singing the blues” over the potential for low weights this week
(click
here)…but that’s nothing new. With the exception of Falcon Lake, every pre-tournament report this year has been the proverbial
grind session. In their defense though, you do have to be somewhat realistic given that Old Hickory is on the small side in terms of fishable water and since 1996 it’s taken an average of roughly 14 pounds per day to win.
With just over 97 miles of shoreline from dam to dam, the Cumberland River impoundment will likely be won shallow according to most pros we spoke to. And while there are some bronzebacks in the lake, many pros don’t see them as being a huge player. All agree that current will be critical, and if it doesn’t flow it could be a long week.
With only this week marking the official “IN or OUT” for both the AOY race and a potential slot in February’s Classic, there’s a lot on the line for those in contention. With a myriad of potential patterns possible, The BASS ZONE
staff was at the ramp Wednesday and caught
up with ten Elite pros for the low down on
Old Hickory this week.
Skeet Reese
“I think Old Hickory has a butt-load of fish in it, but trying to catch a keeper is going to be hard. I do think there’ll be some good bags caught this week, but it’s also going to be a grind. Yesterday I probably caught 75 to 100 bass and only had eight keepers…and those were just barely keepers.
“It’s safe to say that I’m not on them, and I don’t know if there’s a pattern for big ones or if they’re in schools or what. It’s just really hard for me to get consistent keepers. It’s going to be a real grind.
“The other variable is that everyone is fishing the same stuff, so it’s going to be crowded. I snuck out a check the last time I was here, but I couldn’t tell you a thing about the lake…it’s like I was never here, so I’m sort of stuck in the crowd. The bottom line is that I just have to go do my job. 15 pounds a day would be massive this week.”
Kenyon Hill
“I think Old Hickory is a tough old cow, but we’ll catch them. I haven’t really pounded on anything, so we’ll just have to see. I’m catching a few keepers here and there doing a few different things, so I’m pretty much open to a lot of possibility right now you might say.
“There has to be some big fish in this lake because there are so many dinks, but the key will be to just stay patient. You’re going to have to be willing to pound them out, and pretty much anything from dam to dam will be fished this week because (Old Hickory) sets up so well for all styles.
“That said, I think a good combination of typical summertime – deep and shallow – patterns will work well. If you can luck into 12 pounds a day, you’ll be fishing Sunday, no doubt.”
Boyd Duckett
“Nashville is one of my favorite cities, of course, but this lake is hard. This lake has a lot of fish in it so you’ll see a lot of limits, but you won’t see much weight.
“What’s hurting us is that for some reason they’re not pulling any water. I believe it’s because of all the water that’s everywhere. Either way, without the current, it’s a tough old pond.
“There are a lot of six- and seven-pounders and can be one of the best ledge-fishing lakes in the country when they’re pulling water. Like I said though, they’re not, so that’s going to rule the day in terms of weight. There are a handful of ledges on the south end of the lake that a lot of guys are grouped up on, so I don’t know what to say is working well and what’s not.”
Brian Snowden
“I’ve only had two fish over three pounds in two days of practice. I’ve caught a bunch of fish though, so it’s going to be the luck of the four-pounder. That will be the difference between getting a check or not.
“Someone will find a stretch of bank and they’ll probably win it right there because I think the winner will be shallow. I also think that you’re going to need to be moving all week long, at least I will.
“I’ve never been here before now, and from what I’ve seen this week, I won’t be planning a fishing vacation here anytime soon. It’s tough!”
Grant Goldbeck
“It’s a tough bite, but as always there’ll be some guys who find them and catch some bigger weights. I love fishing deep, so I think the lake fits my style. It’s just a matter of weeding through all of the short fish for those three pounders.
“I really think that this lake has the potential to even the playing field, and to be honest, I wish that every tournament was that way. Kind of like the Classic back in the day where you didn’t know about it until you’re on the plane.
“Without any prior knowledge of the lake, the biggest key will probably be just staying around the bait. So you’re going to be moving a lot I think.”
Kevin VanDam
“It’s tough this week…I’m not going to lie to you. It’s hard to find a lot of keepers, but there’s a lot of different ways to catch them right now. I’ve been starting shallow and then moving out to the ledges, but it’s just been real tough.
“I’m having trouble staying on anything that’s consistent. I mean, I can catch 13-inch fish all day on just about anything, but getting those three- and four-pounders that you’re going to need is a real challenge.
“It’s going to be interesting for sure.”
Jason Williamson
“It’s a beautiful lake, but it’s in the middle of the summer now and it’s gotten hot and tough. The lake has a ton of fish in it, but it’s ultra-hard to catch the big one. It’s going to come down to who can catch a four- or five-pounder each day.
“A limit of 14-inchers isn’t easy to catch, but if you can get that limit, you stand a pretty good chance at doing well. You have to come into these Tennessee and Cumberland River lakes with the mindset that you’re going to be set up on ledges and that you’ll be weeding through a bunch of fish.
“The thing that makes this lake so much different than any of the rest of the ledge lakes is that it’s pretty tough to figure out what’s working and what’s not. As a result, I’m probably going to fall back on what worked at Wheeler and Kentucky and start shallow to try and get a limit, and then go out deep to cull.”
Terry Scroggins
“You can catch 80 fish a day and still struggle to have 10 pounds. Its fun, but I haven’t gotten the lake figured out. It’s just not producing the quality that you’re going to need.
“I had a good first day of practice, but learned quickly that the key will be to get one or two four-pound fish a day. I had that the first day, but haven’t been able to duplicate it yet. 12 pounds a day will get you to Sunday, and I feel like I can do that.
“I’ve never seen this lake before, and I actually like this kind of format because it puts everyone on the same playing field. It’s going to be a lot of fun this week.”
John Murray
“I’ve had one tournament here, and I sort of like it. Compared to where we’ve been this year it would be horrible in terms of size, but I think it’s going to be a really good tournament.
“The key will be finding the good ones. The problem is that I haven’t figured out where they are – but I’ve got to believe that the ledges will be the deal. I just can’t see someone winning shallow.
“I can catch a lot of fish, but most of them are really small. I’ve been able to catch a four- or five-pounder every day, so I’ve got a lot of confidence.”
Jared Lintner
“My impression of Old Hickory right now is that it’s leaving a lot to be desired. I can catch a lot of fish, but keepers are difficult. I caught a four-pounder on my first cast yesterday, and went the rest of the day and only managed three other keepers…and they were only 14-inch fish. It’s just inconsistent.
“The biggest thing I’ve got is around the docks, so I’ll be up shallow this week. It’s power fishing for me, though I do have one little west-coast thing that’s working.
“Someone is going to whack them, but I would bet you that 11-pounds a day will make the Top 12.”
Aaron Martens
“This lake has so many fish in it. Just incredible amounts of numbers, but as far as being able to catch keepers…it’s pretty tough. I told someone last night that just about any piece of structure that has a foot of water on it has fish around it.
“So I think it’s going to be the classic battle between shallow and deep. I’m going deep, but I’m not sure if that’s the right decision. The only reason I’m doing it is because I feel like they’ll hold up a little better.
“I would say that this has been the most demanding practice I’ve had – the heat and all the running. It’s been a grueling practice, but I think I’ve got it narrowed down. 15 pounds a day is what I’m going for. I think it will take that much to win…maybe more.”
NOTES:
The BZ will broadcast LIVE on XM Satellite
Radio, XM Sports Nation Channel 144, this Sunday from
Old Hickory at
6:00 and 8:00am EST. Listeners and
Viewers of the BASS ZONE can give Mark and
Pete Robbins a call and win FREE stuff.
The call in
number is 866-967-6144.
This Sunday will mark the fifth time for
BZ on XM Sports Nation, Channel 144, to
air LIVE on location from the BASS Elite
Series events.
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