Finally, tailwater anglers must be aware that waters below large hydro–electric dams can be very dangerous. The water is swift and can rise, fall or turn turbulent quickly. Anglers must use all precautions and watch for other boats, especially if they are drifting. Anglers also need to wear life jackets upstream of signs warning to do so -- for the sake of safety and TO avoid a hefty fine!

DALE HOLLOW
Shellcrackers
Shellcrackers like clean, clear water and vegetation in major reservoirs, and Dale Hollow offers all those characteristics. While this big bluff-bounded lake on the Kentucky border is best known for its trophy smallmouths, local anglers know it's also a hotspot for panfish when the 'crackers move shallow to spawn during the spring.

Dale Hollow doesn't have much shallow water, and that actually works to an angler's advantage for this style of fishing. With somewhat limited spawning habitat available because of a distinct lack of shallow water, the 'crackers must pile up, which makes concentrations fairly easy to locate. Prime spawning areas are flats with hard bottom and either woody cover or abundance of vegetation.

Shellcracker nests are apt to be visible in Dale Hollow's very clear water. However, anglers can find fish simply by fishing for them. Unlike bluegills, shellcrackers prefer to feed right on the bottom, so that's where baits need to be placed. Worms generally outproduce crickets for 'crackers.

Dale Hollow also supports a good bluegill population, and hand-sized bream sometimes dominate the catch. In addition, assorted sunfish sometimes will show up in a day's catch. That said, shellcrackers are the main attraction for anglers who are looking for jumbo panfish on late spring days.

For lodging information or more information about fishing Dale Hollow, call Cedar Hill Resort at (800) 872-8393, or www.cedarhillresort. com.

CLINCH & POWELL
River Rock Bass
Finally, anglers who are looking for fast panfish action should not overlook rock bass, which inhabit most small to medium-sized streams in the central and eastern parts of the state. Rock bass hit lures and natural offerings with gusto, and where there is one, there usually are several, creating opportunities for outstanding action.

Two of Tennessee's finest rock bass rivers are the upper Clinch and Powell rivers in the northeastern corner of the state. These cool-water flows, which are largely overlooked except by local anglers, are loaded with rock bass and serve up fast action during the spring. Many local anglers fish for "anything that bites" in these streams, catching a mix of rock bass, smallmouths and assorted sunfish. However, a few anglers specifically target rock bass, which are outstanding to eat and fun to catch.

Rock bass like deep holes and distinctive cover. Often, they'll be crowded around the branches of a big tree that stretches into the water or close to a deep boulder. They'll hit a variety of baits, but the best bets are small grubs on leadheads or live bait, especially hellgrammites and crawfish. Rock bass have big mouths for their size and will slurp down a surprisingly big live offering.

Both the Clinch and the Powell can be waded or floated in a johnboat or a canoe. Floating probably offers the best prospects because of the rock bass' preference for deep, slow runs. Some good rock bass holes also can be fished from the bank. Keys are looking for cover and making more casts to the same spot any time a rock bass is caught.