How-To

Day on Tims Ford: Brandon Lester

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Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester is a native of southern middle Tennessee. Early on, he honed his fishing skills on a little-known lake near his hometown of Fayetteville. Little known, because the fishery is cast in the shadow of nearby Lake Guntersville and Lake Chickamauga, the super bass lakes on the Bassmaster Top 100. <p> Lester calls Tims Ford Lake his home water. It’s small, at 10,700 acres and 34 miles long, and is categorized as a highland reservoir in bass fishing terms. The reason why are the rolling hills and deep hollows defining the area. Built by the TVA and opened in 1970, the lake impounds the Elk River, which eventually empties into the Tennessee River at Wheeler Lake in nearby Alabama. <p> Come along with Lester and take a virtual tour of Tims Ford, named after an early day river crossing. As an added bonus, Lester spent this day on the lake in the midst of the spawn. If you go fishing on highland lakes, no matter where they are, you can pick up few tips. <p> “I’m going to spill it all for fans of the B.A.S.S. Nation,” he added.
Bassmaster Elite Series pro Brandon Lester is a native of southern middle Tennessee. Early on, he honed his fishing skills on a little-known lake near his hometown of Fayetteville. Little known, because the fishery is cast in the shadow of nearby Lake Guntersville and Lake Chickamauga, the super bass lakes on the Bassmaster Top 100.

Lester calls Tims Ford Lake his home water. It’s small, at 10,700 acres and 34 miles long, and is categorized as a highland reservoir in bass fishing terms. The reason why are the rolling hills and deep hollows defining the area. Built by the TVA and opened in 1970, the lake impounds the Elk River, which eventually empties into the Tennessee River at Wheeler Lake in nearby Alabama.

Come along with Lester and take a virtual tour of Tims Ford, named after an early day river crossing. As an added bonus, Lester spent this day on the lake in the midst of the spawn. If you go fishing on highland lakes, no matter where they are, you can pick up few tips.

“I’m going to spill it all for fans of the B.A.S.S. Nation,” he added.

Before backing his Toyota Tundra down the ramp, Lester shoots a teaser video for a Facebook Live Q&A session for later in the day. Viewers got to post questions about the spawning cycle, and those were answered by Lester as he demonstrated techniques and caught fish.
Before backing his Toyota Tundra down the ramp, Lester shoots a teaser video for a Facebook Live Q&A session for later in the day. Viewers got to post questions about the spawning cycle, and those were answered by Lester as he demonstrated techniques and caught fish.
“Tims Ford is small when compared to many TVA lakes. I like that about it, and the lake has a really good smallmouth and largemouth population.” The lake hosts small club tournaments — and especially summertime night events — while larger events favor the big impoundments on the nearby Tennessee River. “In the big scheme of things, Tims Ford doesn’t get a lot of fishing pressure, which is another reason I like it so much.”
“Tims Ford is small when compared to many TVA lakes. I like that about it, and the lake has a really good smallmouth and largemouth population.” The lake hosts small club tournaments — and especially summertime night events — while larger events favor the big impoundments on the nearby Tennessee River. “In the big scheme of things, Tims Ford doesn’t get a lot of fishing pressure, which is another reason I like it so much.”
At the far east end of the lake is the city of Winchester, also home to Phoenix Boats, its manufacturing facilities and corporate offices. Lester launches his Phoenix at the Devil’s Step boat ramp that is part of Tims Ford State Park. The park encompasses 1,321 acres on the west side of the lake. Devil’s Step is a smaller confined unit of the larger park and near Winchester.
At the far east end of the lake is the city of Winchester, also home to Phoenix Boats, its manufacturing facilities and corporate offices. Lester launches his Phoenix at the Devil’s Step boat ramp that is part of Tims Ford State Park. The park encompasses 1,321 acres on the west side of the lake. Devil’s Step is a smaller confined unit of the larger park and near Winchester.
Today’s weather is ideal for the spawning bite in early April. The forecast calls for calm winds, sunny skies and a daytime high of 69 degrees. The warmest weather of spring is underway, even with nighttime lows in the 40s.
Today’s weather is ideal for the spawning bite in early April. The forecast calls for calm winds, sunny skies and a daytime high of 69 degrees. The warmest weather of spring is underway, even with nighttime lows in the 40s.
Rigged and at the ready are a small lineup of lure and tackle rigs that are ideal for the clear waters of the spawning areas where Lester will search for largemouth.
Rigged and at the ready are a small lineup of lure and tackle rigs that are ideal for the clear waters of the spawning areas where Lester will search for largemouth.
“Today I will keep it simple with a topwater and floating worm.” Those top picks enable Lester to cover water, while allowing him to slow down and finesse bedding fish when the opportunity occurs.
“Today I will keep it simple with a topwater and floating worm.” Those top picks enable Lester to cover water, while allowing him to slow down and finesse bedding fish when the opportunity occurs.
A Heddon Super Spook Jr. and X Zone Lures Deception Worm, rigged weightless and wacky style, are his two choices.
A Heddon Super Spook Jr. and X Zone Lures Deception Worm, rigged weightless and wacky style, are his two choices.
Lester leaves the ramp and runs west toward the middle of the lake. He plans to begin there and work toward the deeper, lower end. “It stays cooler and needs more time to warm up.”
Lester leaves the ramp and runs west toward the middle of the lake. He plans to begin there and work toward the deeper, lower end. “It stays cooler and needs more time to warm up.”
“You can cover the lake from end to end really well, due to its small size,” he added. The run to his first stop from Devil’s Step only takes a few minutes.
“You can cover the lake from end to end really well, due to its small size,” he added. The run to his first stop from Devil’s Step only takes a few minutes.
After the short run, Lester approaches a pocket off the main lake. “In this neck of the woods, a pocket is any small cove off a main lake,” Lester said.
After the short run, Lester approaches a pocket off the main lake. “In this neck of the woods, a pocket is any small cove off a main lake,” Lester said.
The Lowrance display illustrates a classic example of a pocket on Tims Ford. On the screen you can see his path into the pocket within the larger inundated hollow, located just off the main lake and near the river channel. Note the water temperature of 64 degrees.
The Lowrance display illustrates a classic example of a pocket on Tims Ford. On the screen you can see his path into the pocket within the larger inundated hollow, located just off the main lake and near the river channel. Note the water temperature of 64 degrees.
Here is the above water view taken from the same location as the GPS map. “The key is that on highland lakes, pockets are usually nearer deeper water, where the bass can come up and spawn, feed on baitfish.” And get caught.
Here is the above water view taken from the same location as the GPS map. “The key is that on highland lakes, pockets are usually nearer deeper water, where the bass can come up and spawn, feed on baitfish.” And get caught.
Lester picks up the Heddon Super Spook Jr., and begins making long casts ahead of his boat, and at an angle to the shoreline. “You want to go down the bank and cast anywhere you might think the fish are spawning.”
Lester picks up the Heddon Super Spook Jr., and begins making long casts ahead of his boat, and at an angle to the shoreline. “You want to go down the bank and cast anywhere you might think the fish are spawning.”
“The benefit of a Spook is it can be worked in place to keep it longer in the strike zone.” And stirring up commotion in its path, to aggravate a bass into striking it.
“The benefit of a Spook is it can be worked in place to keep it longer in the strike zone.” And stirring up commotion in its path, to aggravate a bass into striking it.
“I want to make the bait walk but not move along too quickly. Just make short walks to keep it in place over or near a bed.”
“I want to make the bait walk but not move along too quickly. Just make short walks to keep it in place over or near a bed.”
“You don’t normally think of a walking bait, or a topwater, as a lure for spawning fish.” Which is why Lester favors a lure not often seen by the bass. It’s something different, gets their attention, and alarms their reflexes when those fish are guarding a bed. Here, he makes casts around laydowns to tempt fish holding on them into biting.
“You don’t normally think of a walking bait, or a topwater, as a lure for spawning fish.” Which is why Lester favors a lure not often seen by the bass. It’s something different, gets their attention, and alarms their reflexes when those fish are guarding a bed. Here, he makes casts around laydowns to tempt fish holding on them into biting.
“The key to the Spook is making long casts, because you can cover more water.” Compare that to the shorter, more vertical presentations and shoreline coverage limitations of soft plastic rigs.
“The key to the Spook is making long casts, because you can cover more water.” Compare that to the shorter, more vertical presentations and shoreline coverage limitations of soft plastic rigs.
The lure and tackle details will be revealed at the end of the slide show. In the meantime, here’s a tip from Lester about this spot. “I’m throwing the Spook Jr. on braided line, a fluorocarbon leader and a soft rod tip. I can get better walking action using that setup.”
The lure and tackle details will be revealed at the end of the slide show. In the meantime, here’s a tip from Lester about this spot. “I’m throwing the Spook Jr. on braided line, a fluorocarbon leader and a soft rod tip. I can get better walking action using that setup.”
Lester continues working into the farthest reaches of the pocket, all the while being very observant in the clear water for signs of beds or male largemouth roaming the shoreline.
Lester continues working into the farthest reaches of the pocket, all the while being very observant in the clear water for signs of beds or male largemouth roaming the shoreline.
Lester reaches the back end of the pocket, where a spring-fed flow trickles into the lake. Springs are common on the lake, due to the porous limestone formations that define the area’s geology.
Lester reaches the back end of the pocket, where a spring-fed flow trickles into the lake. Springs are common on the lake, due to the porous limestone formations that define the area’s geology.
Lester is pondering a move after thoroughly fishing the pockets within the hollow. There are signs of activity — he observes bass chasing bait and a few shoreline cruisers — but nothing gets caught.
Lester is pondering a move after thoroughly fishing the pockets within the hollow. There are signs of activity — he observes bass chasing bait and a few shoreline cruisers — but nothing gets caught.
Lester makes a move to another creek with more options to try.
Lester makes a move to another creek with more options to try.
“Docks are a big deal this time of the year and especially on a highland lake.” The reason why is the migrating bass use the docks as staging areas, some even spawning near them.
“Docks are a big deal this time of the year and especially on a highland lake.” The reason why is the migrating bass use the docks as staging areas, some even spawning near them.
“The spawn is moving along, so I’m keying on docks located nearest to the spawning pockets.”
“The spawn is moving along, so I’m keying on docks located nearest to the spawning pockets.”
Lester enters a small, shallow pocket just around the corner of the last dock. He spots a bedding bass, a male, and switches from the Spook Jr. to the weightless, floating wacky worm rig.
Lester enters a small, shallow pocket just around the corner of the last dock. He spots a bedding bass, a male, and switches from the Spook Jr. to the weightless, floating wacky worm rig.
The male moves off the bed and makes a pass at the rig, but doesn’t take it.
The male moves off the bed and makes a pass at the rig, but doesn’t take it.
Lester re-rigs with his favorite setup. It’s an X Zone Lures Deception Worm.
Lester re-rigs with his favorite setup. It’s an X Zone Lures Deception Worm.
This O ring improves the action and allows him to use fewer worms, compared to impaling the worm through the hook.
This O ring improves the action and allows him to use fewer worms, compared to impaling the worm through the hook.
Lester sees a bedding fish in the far back of the pocket. He skips the worm beneath and into the branches of a laydown.
Lester sees a bedding fish in the far back of the pocket. He skips the worm beneath and into the branches of a laydown.
The fish strikes the floating worm near the textbook laydown where it likely hid or has a bed.
The fish strikes the floating worm near the textbook laydown where it likely hid or has a bed.
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What Lester estimates to be a solid 3-pounder comes aboard. “I saw that fish in a really tight space, too tight for the Spook Jr.” And the treble hooks would get caught in the laydown.
What Lester estimates to be a solid 3-pounder comes aboard. “I saw that fish in a really tight space, too tight for the Spook Jr.” And the treble hooks would get caught in the laydown.
Lester moves on to the back of another pocket, hopeful that he might be on to an emerging pattern. It’s nearing midday and the water temperature is warming, especially in the shallows where the bass are bedding. He picks up the Spook Jr. and makes long casts to the back of the pocket, hoping to attract a bass from a bed.
Lester moves on to the back of another pocket, hopeful that he might be on to an emerging pattern. It’s nearing midday and the water temperature is warming, especially in the shallows where the bass are bedding. He picks up the Spook Jr. and makes long casts to the back of the pocket, hoping to attract a bass from a bed.
The water warms to 65 degrees, up from 64 degrees at his first stop. “This time of year, every degree of warmth makes a huge difference in the activity level of the fish.” The previous night the low temperature was in the 40s. “Shallow fish, those committed to spawning, will react more to those swings in the temperatures.”
The water warms to 65 degrees, up from 64 degrees at his first stop. “This time of year, every degree of warmth makes a huge difference in the activity level of the fish.” The previous night the low temperature was in the 40s. “Shallow fish, those committed to spawning, will react more to those swings in the temperatures.”
Lester spots a bass on bed and switches back to the wacky rigged worm. “When the water warms back up the fish will become active again and be more likely to move from a lot farther away.”
Lester spots a bass on bed and switches back to the wacky rigged worm. “When the water warms back up the fish will become active again and be more likely to move from a lot farther away.”
Lester makes several casts, but the bass won’t strike the bait.
Lester makes several casts, but the bass won’t strike the bait.
That pocket was a bust, so Lester moves on to another spot.
That pocket was a bust, so Lester moves on to another spot.
It’s mid-afternoon and Lester settles for another pocket, this one on the lower-side of the main lake. He offers this advice while idling into the pocket. “As the day progresses and the water warms, keep an eye out for fish activity.” Scanning the bank ahead is a good idea. “If you see a light spot, something move, or a wake. That’s a telltale sign of a spawning bass.” Those fish will also chase a bluegill off a bed, triggering a sign. “Another thing to look out for is baitfish surfacing in the middle of the pocket.” The fish will come off the bank to feed upon the bait.
It’s mid-afternoon and Lester settles for another pocket, this one on the lower-side of the main lake. He offers this advice while idling into the pocket. “As the day progresses and the water warms, keep an eye out for fish activity.” Scanning the bank ahead is a good idea. “If you see a light spot, something move, or a wake. That’s a telltale sign of a spawning bass.” Those fish will also chase a bluegill off a bed, triggering a sign. “Another thing to look out for is baitfish surfacing in the middle of the pocket.” The fish will come off the bank to feed upon the bait.
Lester proves the point after catching an actively feeding fish on the Spook Jr.
Lester proves the point after catching an actively feeding fish on the Spook Jr.
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Lester moves to another pocket with a plan in mind. “After running the last few pockets I’m starting to realize the flatter pockets with shallower sides and more gravely shorelines are best.” The lesson learned is to be observant of the type and size of rock where the fish are caught. If replicated, then you have a pattern.
Lester moves to another pocket with a plan in mind. “After running the last few pockets I’m starting to realize the flatter pockets with shallower sides and more gravely shorelines are best.” The lesson learned is to be observant of the type and size of rock where the fish are caught. If replicated, then you have a pattern.
This pocket is back up the lake, nearer the ramp. “I started catching more fish as I moved back to the upper lake.” The reason why is the area is farther along in the spawn. Lester proves the point with a hookup in the back of the pocket.
This pocket is back up the lake, nearer the ramp. “I started catching more fish as I moved back to the upper lake.” The reason why is the area is farther along in the spawn. Lester proves the point with a hookup in the back of the pocket.
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Key bait of the day is the Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lester changes the stock hooks in favor of Size 4 Mustad Round Bend Trebles for their grip strength. “I add a feathered treble to the rear, for short strikers that you can encounter especially in the spring.” Lester also gains confidence from the added strike appeal.
Key bait of the day is the Heddon Super Spook Jr. Lester changes the stock hooks in favor of Size 4 Mustad Round Bend Trebles for their grip strength. “I add a feathered treble to the rear, for short strikers that you can encounter especially in the spring.” Lester also gains confidence from the added strike appeal.
Lester uses 30-pound Vicious No Fade Braid Moss Green, with a 3-foot leader made with 15-pound Vicious Ultimate Monofilament. “With the topwater you want the line to float, instead of sinking and altering the action of the lure.” He matches the reel to a 7-foot, 3-inch medium/heavy action crankbait rod.
Lester uses 30-pound Vicious No Fade Braid Moss Green, with a 3-foot leader made with 15-pound Vicious Ultimate Monofilament. “With the topwater you want the line to float, instead of sinking and altering the action of the lure.” He matches the reel to a 7-foot, 3-inch medium/heavy action crankbait rod.
A 6-inch X Zone Lures Deception Worm, bubblegum, is rigged to a No. 9 Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Rig Hook. Lester adds a Size No. 9 O ring. “it gives it a better action and you don’t go through so many worms.”
A 6-inch X Zone Lures Deception Worm, bubblegum, is rigged to a No. 9 Mustad TitanX Wacky/Neko Rig Hook. Lester adds a Size No. 9 O ring. “it gives it a better action and you don’t go through so many worms.”
Lester fishes the rig on a spinning reel with 10-pound Vicious Blue Braid with 12-pound Vicious Fluorocarbon Leader. A 6-foot, 9-inch medium action rod completes the outfit.
Lester fishes the rig on a spinning reel with 10-pound Vicious Blue Braid with 12-pound Vicious Fluorocarbon Leader. A 6-foot, 9-inch medium action rod completes the outfit.
Lester winds up the day and goes back to the ramp.
Lester winds up the day and goes back to the ramp.
And believe it or not, he’s not going fishing tomorrow. “It’s opening day of wild turkey season, and I just cannot miss that.”
And believe it or not, he’s not going fishing tomorrow. “It’s opening day of wild turkey season, and I just cannot miss that.”

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