Winter Crappie and Bass

{%image_id=7165%} The wintertime crappie bite on Chickamauga Lake near Chattanooga, Tenn. has been awesome in recent years. This year is no different. It is finesse fishing... 1/32nd oz. jigs fished 15-25 feet deep on deep river channels. But if you've got "the touch," the crappie will be there in great numbers. Wintertime is also our best time for quality smallmouth and spotted bass. {%image_id=7166%} It's usually not "quantity" fishing... but when you tie into a 4 lb. smallmouth on light tackle, you'll remember that battle for a long time. {%image_id=7163%} The tailwaters of any TVA Dam can be good, and most of the traditional smallmouth bass baits will work. But the best bait for the most, and biggest fish, are live threadfin shad or store-bought large shiners. {%image_id=7164%}