SPARTA, Tenn. — Two things have been the focus on Center Hill Lake this spring – the low water and, despite that, the incredible weights it’s been taking to win there.
Both will continue to be the focus as Center Hill gets set to host its second Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine event of the year when the Music City Division visits on April 25.
What to expect
The calendar says April, but local Adam Wagner says it sure doesn’t look like it around Center Hill.
“Honestly, with how dry it’s been, it looks like August around here,” Wagner said.
To no surprise, that’s taken a toll on the fishery. Wagner said it’s somewhere between 12 and 15 feet below where it normally would be this time of year. That’s left a lot of shallow cover high and dry.
For bass fresh off the spawn, the lack of shallow cover has meant a shift not just in attitude but also location.
“They want to be shallow right now, but with no cover, the fish have had to transition faster out to roam around with shad,” Wagner said.
That leads Wagner to believe the three-hour forward-facing sonar window could be some crucial time for anglers in this event. That said, there’s still plenty of time outside that window, and utilizing it well could mean the difference between winning and getting paid.
“I think the ideal scenario is someone catching three big smallmouth ‘Scoping, and then they catch two largemouth on a shad spawn first thing in the morning or dragging something,” Wagner said.
“Then again, if someone finds the right shad spawn, I could see that winning just on its own, too. Whether it’s on docks or just rock banks, that can be lights out this time of year.”
Baits to bring
It almost goes without saying that if forward-facing sonar is going to be a player for bass chasing shad, so will a jighead minnow. Expect to see plenty of them rigged up for this event.
So, too, will pros have plenty of Carolina rigs and football jigs for “dragging gravel,” which is about a big a staple on the fishery as it gets. And as for the shad spawn, Wagner says spinnerbaits and white swim jigs will be mandatory.
What will it take?
As mentioned above, Center Hill has been fishing better this spring than years past, with many tournaments needing close to 20 pounds to win.
Wagner doesn’t think a boater will need quite that much at this event, seeing as the fish will have dropped their eggs. That said, he easily sees 18 pounds needed to take the trophy, because the fish are just bigger and healthier than he’s ever seen.
“The fishing has just been absolutely awesome,” Wagner said. “It’s crazy how good it’s been, and the lake just seems to be getting better and better. There are just so many 2-pounders right now. So, anyone who can find those 3s and 4s is gonna be the deal.”