Soft Plastics
Yamamoto Senko 5 in
The original salted stick bait. Fish it weightless or wacky rigged.
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A Tennessee River lake on the Alabama and Mississippi line famous for smallmouth.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Pickwick Lake for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass and blue catfish. The best months overall are Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct. In October, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass are in season, and Soft Stick Bait, Ned Rig and Bass Jig are a good place to start. There are 8 shops within 45 miles; the closest is Dixieland Tackle in Iuka, 13 mi away. Wheeler Lake is 67 mi away if you want to make a trip of it.
Best Months
Mar to Jun, Sep to Oct
In October
Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass
Methods
Spin, cast & bait
Season at a Glance
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What You'll Catch
Pickwick Lake Species
Plan by Month
What to Use
Month
Fish
12 picks for October. ● means in season that month.
Soft Stick Bait 4 to 5 in
LureSoft Plastic · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureNed Rig 2.5 to 3 in
LureFinesse · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureBass Jig 3/8 to 1 oz
LureJig · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureSpinnerbait 3/8 to 3/4 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Stained water.
Shop This LureBladed Jig 3/8 to 1/2 oz
LureMoving Bait · Largemouth Bass · Around grass.
Shop This LureSquarebill Crankbait 1.5 to 2.5 in
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureLipless Crankbait 1/2 to 3/4 oz
LureCrankbait · Largemouth Bass
Shop This LureWalking Topwater 4 to 5 in
LureTopwater · Largemouth Bass · Low light.
Shop This LureSuspending Jerkbait 4 to 5 in
LureHard Bait · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureTube Jig 3 to 4 in
LureSoft Plastic · Smallmouth Bass
Shop This LureLive Minnows 1 to 3 in
BaitLive Bait · Blue Catfish, Largemouth Bass · Live shad or skipjack.
Cut Shad Chunk or fillet
BaitNatural Bait · Blue Catfish · Fresh is best.
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Rod & Reel
Recommended Setups
Largemouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 7 or 8 wt rod, bass-taper floating line, 12 to 16 lb leader for poppers and divers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium-heavy baitcasting rod, 7:1 reel, 15 lb fluorocarbon or 50 lb braid around heavy cover.
Smallmouth Bass
Fly 9 ft 6 or 7 wt rod, floating line, 10 to 12 lb leader. Crayfish patterns, Clousers, and poppers.
Spin / Cast 7 ft medium spinning rod, 2500 reel, 8 lb braid to a 6 to 8 lb fluorocarbon leader.
Blue Catfish
Spin / Cast 7.5 to 8 ft medium-heavy casting rod, 5000 to 6500 levelwind reel, 30 to 50 lb line, 7/0 to 8/0 circle hooks.
Matched to These Species
Gear for Pickwick Lake
Crankbaits
Strike King KVD 1.5 Squarebill
A shallow squarebill that deflects off wood and rock.
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Ugly Stik Catfish Special Combo
A stout, long rod with a large reel for heavy sinkers and big cats.
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St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
A sensitive, lightweight rod for finesse plastics and jigs.
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Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Nearly unbreakable and sensitive enough for most freshwater fishing. A safe first combo.
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Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
A smooth, durable reel in sizes for trout through inshore saltwater.
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Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Light and smooth for its price. A favorite for finesse and panfish rods.
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PowerPro Spectra Braided Line
Thin, strong braid for long casts, sensitivity, and pulling fish from cover.
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Within 45 Miles
Shops Near Pickwick Lake
Bait & Tackle
Hurricane Creek Gro & Bait Shop
Rienzi, Mississippi· 28 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Rienzi, MS.
Bait & Tackle
Academy Sports + Outdoors
Florence, Alabama· 36 mi
Bait and tackle shop in Florence, AL.
Make It a Trip