BILL DANCE SIGNATURE LAKES to Solidify Tennessee as the Heart of Fishing in the Southeast

from Coastal Angler Magazine | August 2023 | Alabama Gulf Coast Edition

A Time of Porpoise

Bill Dance Signature Lakes will connect the world’s most-loved angler with some of Tennessee’s most excellent natural resources – its lakes. is program is intended to make Tennessee a best-in-class destination for anglers worldwide.

With the new initiative’s goal to improve and enhance Tennessee lakes, increase visitation and honor Dance’s legacy, Tennessee will invest $15 million in improvements above and below the water at 18 lakes that bear shing legend Dance’s stamp of approval. Tennesseans will bene t from increased stocking, habitat and sheries management and improved access for shing and boating. e collaborative e ort between Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Tennessee State Parks and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development seeks to solidify Tennessee as the heart of shing in the southeast and drive economic activity across the state.

“I’m unbelievably humbled and excited to be involved in such a helpful project that will bene t so many people and our natural resources in my great home state of Tennessee,” said Bill Dance. “You can bet your favorite lure this project will have a ripple e ect for a mighty long time, not only giving the weekend sherman but tournament anglers a wonderful shery as well, thanks to the great state of Tennessee and my friends at TWRA.”

Bill Dance Signature Lakes touches 39 counties, including 22 at-risk or economically distressed counties, and is an essential step in helping those communities create new revenue streams through increased visitation. Fishing generates $1.2 billion in economic impact annually and supports 7,480 jobs across the state.

Bill Dance Signature Lakes includes nine large reservoirs with a proven track record for quality shing for a variety of sh. In partnership with the Tennessee Valley Authority, reservoirs will receive new or upgraded best-inclass ramps to improve public access for both recreational and tournament anglers. Each of the 18 lakes will see such above-water upgrades as courtesy docks, ample parking, additional access points, shing piers and signage, to name a few. Several smaller lakes, many which are located within Tennessee State Parks, will be managed intensively by TWRA for Bill Dance approved family shing with regular stocking to ensure the best chance for success.

Projects are slated to begin in 2022 and near completion by the fall of 2024. For more information, see www.tnvacation.com.

Summer is in full swing causing the water temps to consistently stay in the upper 80’s, this can cause the inshore fishing to be very tough! However, one fish that is abundant in our area this time of year is the Tripletail, and when it’s HOT we go Tripletail fishing! In this article I am going to go over a few key things to help you get on your next Tripletail.

2. Look for anything floating. Tripletail love to nose up to structure and debris in the water, don’t pass anything floating without giving a close look and a couple casts. Common things to look for: crab trap buoys, floating grass, logs, cooler lids, and even Gatorade and drink bottles. LITERALLY anything that you see floating on the surface, has the potential to hold Tripletail.

3. The right rig. When it comes to Tripletail fishing, the right rig is everything! The main rig I use for Tripletail is a slip cork rig. The slip cork rig is essential because it allows you to quickly adjust the depths that your bait is suspending in (I typically start shallow and adjust my cork deeper). The hook I use is a BKK #2 circle hook, which is perfect for medium size shrimp. The size line that I use is 30-pound braid to a 5 foot 30 pound fluorocarbon leader. The main bait I use is live shrimp.

These are the main 3 things that will get you out there and landing more Tripletail. For more information on Tripletail fishing or any other form of inshore fishing be sure to check out our YouTube channel “Southern Salt”. Good luck, be safe, and tight lines!!

Southern Salt

1. DON’T wake up early. That’s right, go ahead and sleep in! Tripletail are mainly caught by sight casting at them, therefore we need the sun to be a little higher to be able to see down into the water and spot them. I typically plan to start my Tripletail trips around 10:00 AM.