Fort Loudoun from the air

Posted on
Late winter and approaching spring. Bass activity during this seasonal transitional period is all about water temperature. The warmer, all the better. See how the pros fished a creek located on Fort Loudoun during Day 1 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River.
Late winter and approaching spring. Bass activity during this seasonal transitional period is all about water temperature. The warmer, all the better. See how the pros fished a creek located on Fort Loudoun during Day 1 of the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee River.
Calm sunny days do magic during this time. As the water warms up, the baitfish move in. And the bass follow, also for the warmth and the food.
Calm sunny days do magic during this time. As the water warms up, the baitfish move in. And the bass follow, also for the warmth and the food.
This photo was taken at 9:30 a.m., and the water temperature was in the mid-40s, slowly getting warmer as the sun moved higher.
This photo was taken at 9:30 a.m., and the water temperature was in the mid-40s, slowly getting warmer as the sun moved higher.
Dingy water holds the warmth longer than clear water. Brandon Lester was working a flat off a shoreline. Flats provide the shallow water that bass and baitfish prefer as the water warms up.
Dingy water holds the warmth longer than clear water. Brandon Lester was working a flat off a shoreline. Flats provide the shallow water that bass and baitfish prefer as the water warms up.
Lester made short runs during this photo session, opting to move from one flat to the next.
Lester made short runs during this photo session, opting to move from one flat to the next.
The creek has a mix of clear and dingy water from a recent winter storm. The thaw put chilly water into the lake. Before practice began it was in the high 30s.
The creek has a mix of clear and dingy water from a recent winter storm. The thaw put chilly water into the lake. Before practice began it was in the high 30s.
This is one of the many winding creeks in the midsection of the lake, that have winding channels, with migration transition areas along the way.
This is one of the many winding creeks in the midsection of the lake, that have winding channels, with migration transition areas along the way.
Drew Benton is throwing shad-imitating hard baits in his search to intercept moving bass.
Drew Benton is throwing shad-imitating hard baits in his search to intercept moving bass.
To help the cause, Benton keeps one eye focused on his electronics to spot baitfish and bass.
To help the cause, Benton keeps one eye focused on his electronics to spot baitfish and bass.
You can see where the clearer water merges with the inflow of the dingier water.
You can see where the clearer water merges with the inflow of the dingier water.
In this creek, transition areas and ambush points include boat docks.
In this creek, transition areas and ambush points include boat docks.
As does isolated wood and laydowns where Keith Combs is fishing.
As does isolated wood and laydowns where Keith Combs is fishing.
Cliff Prince chose a rotation of docks for this morning session.
Cliff Prince chose a rotation of docks for this morning session.
While Lester makes another move to his next flat.
While Lester makes another move to his next flat.
The creek offers plenty of docks, seawalls and rocky banks that are ideal for the sun to warm.
The creek offers plenty of docks, seawalls and rocky banks that are ideal for the sun to warm.
Prince stays farther off this dock as baitfish begin to be seen on the surface.
Prince stays farther off this dock as baitfish begin to be seen on the surface.
Ideal areas are the sunny sides of rocky shorelines, which warm up quicker.
Ideal areas are the sunny sides of rocky shorelines, which warm up quicker.
Bryan New has plenty of water to cover as he works his way down the shoreline.
Bryan New has plenty of water to cover as he works his way down the shoreline.
New is coming off a win just two weeks ago on the St. Johns River.
New is coming off a win just two weeks ago on the St. Johns River.
The spot offers even more options, including a long tapering point.
The spot offers even more options, including a long tapering point.