Fishing conditions at Watts Bar for Nov. 1, 2018:

Reservoir Conditions: Normal summer elevation: 740.5 feet. Normal winter elevation: 736.0 feet. Current elevation: 740.66 feet. The water surface temperature is in the lower 60’s.

Largemouth Bass: Locate grass beds with baitfish. These grassbeds can to close to open water or in the sloughs. Topwater baits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits are being used. Several fish are being caught. Points were a good place to fish over the weekend as the wind blew shad across and up on the points. Lipless lures were productive with that situation.

Smallmouth Bass: Crankbaits or swimbaits are being used most often around rocky banks.

Crappie: Minnows or jigs can be used around blowdowns, sunken brush, or docks. Crappie caught are evenly split between black and white. Target areas will influence the number of black or white crappie caught.

Catfish: Use anything meaty. A lot of fish are being caught. Current increases the odds of good catches. Bigger baits catch bigger fish.

Walleye: Some mid lake anglers are catching a walleye every now and then while bass fishing ledges with crankbaits. Tailwater catches are increasing.

Striped Bass: Shad is the best bait. Swimbaits are good artificial alternatives. Mid reservoir stripers are being caught around shad.

White Bass: Some breaking fish can be caught reservoir wide. Tailwater anglers are catching a few fish. Topwater lures with smaller profiles are good. Spinner-type lures are always good as well as the classic silver spoon.

Bluegill/Shellcracker: Fish river bluff walls, docks, or shallow banks with crickets or worms.