Dale Hollow Vacation

[shot'm&hook'm]

Me and the family are looking for a place to go on vacation. I'm kind of leaning toward Dale Hollow. I haven't ever been there but I hear its good fishing. I was just wondering what would be a good time to go? were are thinking late July or late August. Also I've never fished for smallies so what do I need to take. and how do I need to go about doing it?

[cornbread]

If you go during the summer you will need to fish at night for the smallies. Good lures for that time are Punisher jigs tiped with plastic trailers that are shaped like pork chunks and Berkley power craws or a large spinerbait. The moon phase will make a differance also. The rocky points and grass beds can be great.

[shot'm&hook'm]

Thanks man! I thought I never was going to get a reply. So day time fishing isn't great huh? well we are planing on getting a house boat so maybe that will help if we are parked in a good spot. what depth are they usualy at. is there any chance of getting one on a crank or jerkbait during the day?

[cnc]

We rented a house boat and a small john boat a few years ago in the middle of the summer. me and my fathe-n-law caught some good smallies every morning and evening slow trolling deep diving crank baits. The guy at the merina told us don't bother fishing in the day but we had good luck.

[pastorbass]

In my opinion Dale Hollow is the most beautiful lake in the state. Definately a good vacation spot.

However, if fishing is going to determine how good your vacation is, you may want to go to another lake. Dale Hollow is not one of those lakes you can just go to and catch fish. It's a very difficult lake for people that fish the lake often. But if fishing is just an added bonus then Dale is a good destination. Barren is good lake for someone who just wants to load up and go fish - it produces for a lot of folks. Don't get discouraged if you get blanked. I have been skunked in Dale many many times and game wardens always say that is not unusual.

But for that time of the year night fishing will be your ticket. During the day you may want to try shiners or crank baits, and jigs always are an option.

I hope you do well. We are heading to Dale in April before they go deep again.

[shot'm&hook'm]

So how did you like the house boat? we've never stayed on one! I was wondering if we could do any fishing off of it! I'm shure we will try some catfishing at night. The hole family is big on bluegill fishing. But I love the bass but I have a feel'n these smallies are going to be a chalenge!

[pastorbass]

I've seen pictures of blue gill come out of dale that won't fit in a fryin pan.

[12 pointer]

I've seen pictures of blue gill come out of dale that won't fit in a fryin pan.
roll'em up boys.....It's getttin deep fast!:D:eek:

[cnc]

we loved the house boat, every day we would cruise around the lake then pull up in a cove and tie up. our boat had a slide comming off the top the kids loved it. Didn't try fishing off it but their was plenty of room cat fishing at night will be no problem.

[pastorbass]

roll'em up boys.....It's getttin deep fast!:D:eek:

Tell me these ain't big shell crackers. Caught on Dale Hollow last summer. This pic was posted over at another site.

http://www.fishin.com/photos/2006-december/pages/tina2twelveinchredear.htm

[str8 shot]

dont let people tell you not to fish during the day...some of the best fishing that time of year is during the day...bring your big flippin stick with you and hit the backs of pockets that have buck brush in them and you can flip up some nice largemouths...try it for sure

[shot'm&hook'm]

thanks guy I noticed that their are some state record fish that have come out of the lake and have always heard they have huge smallies and gills and thats the kind of fish'n I like so I'm shure I'll have fun.

[cornbread]

If you are going to get a houseboat try putting out some floating lights at night and fish with live shiners or shad. You can draw in several types of fish this way. I think you would have a hard time trying to flip the backs of coves in a houseboat. It's true that you can catch some monster gills and shellcrakers during the day.

[Redlined]

Send a PM to Lawmanbville353, I'm fairly certain he fishes at night at Dale quite a bit.Best I remember they do pretty well down there in the summertime.............

[naturalelite]

I have done both stayed on a house boat and rented a cabin down there. It depends on how old your kids are as to which i would suggest. If you have young kids you will not get a moments rest if your on a house boat. If they are anything like my daughter you will have to put a life jacket on them at the Dock and not take it off until your trip is over.

The cabin is probably cheaper and more comfortable. You can also have some alone time in the cabin because there are playing areas for the kids. Here is where we stayed last summer with The in laws, My dad and his wife, and her sister. We got two cabins close together and had a blast. Other than picking up trash every morning from the coons.
http://www.sulphurcreek.com/

We did take 2 boats. A Bass boat, pontoon, and 2 wave runners. Which allowed everyone to do their own thing which helped out greatly.

As far as fishing in the summer most don't fish during the day because you can't get away from boat traffic. You can catch some monster gills if you can find a deep drop off and fish with crickets 15+feet deep. (look around the goat islands)You can also catch some great walleye down there in the summer under lights. This is no secret to anyone I am sure but as your leaving the mouth of Sulphur Creek drop an anchor right off the point on the left. There is an island there so watch for it. If you can't find it graph it. There have been many Walleyes taken off that point in the summer by grab hooking shad. Also some good smallies.

[nitrox28]

My ex-girlfriend had a summer home at Holly Creek on Dale Hollow. DANG do I miss going down there!!! If someone told you not to fish during the day, they're on crack. I've never really had bad luck fishing during the day.