Bass Fishing in TN

Question
I was wondering about tactics and lures used for fishing for bass in large lakes. The individual lake I am referring to is the Norris Lake in Norris, TN.

I just started fishing in lakes, after acquiring a boat. I am mostly a running water trout guy, but I have recently been doing a lot of brim and crappie fishing. I

Mainly I would like to know some strategy that I can implement to go about landing some good bass. And anything else you want to offer on the subject.

Thanks you so much,
Matthew


Answer
WEllll there are seasonal patterns, species patterns and lake patterns.It is a LOT.. more than I could start with I think. I would highly recommend that you hire a guide on Norris Lake for a few days. Be honest and tell him you need to learn the lake and that you want to learn how to fish for crappie, bass, and bluegill.
Crappie tend to be a spring and fall fish. They like to hide in cover, like trees, and bush's under the water. Some guys make crappie hide's by tying building blocks to Christmas trees or downed Cedar trees.  These will hold crappie most of the year. Crappie will occasionally hit shallow during the spring, when they are spawning. In non spawn times they will hang around cover, or school on drops.
I highly recommend this book which you can purchase at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0929384512?ie=UTF8&tag=fishingguides-20&linkCod...
The link will take you to: Crappie Wisdom: An In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies. Just copy and paste it into your browser.
NOW Bluegill: The basics I use are to look in the backs of creeks in water any where from 3 feet to 12 feet deep. Fish will suspend in the summer in mid lake so drifting a nightcrawler or red work will work, but I like to use what is called a Popyeye Jig. I use the ones from www.spittinimagepopeye.com and tip them with wax worms or with a piece of worm. A cricket on a hook with a split shot also works, it really depends on what the bluegills in your area like. This can differ from lake to lake and region to region. ( I have not fished Norris Lake)
Here is a link to a good bluegill fishing  book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0961116218?ie=UTF8&tag=fishingguides-20&linkCod...
Bass fishing on Norris is a whole other subject. Fish move to follow the forage. I like to Float and Fly Fish for them in winter. That is a technique you have to learn from someone and rigging is tough. Try www.FloatandFly.com
There is a good description of the technique and rigs.
Summer fishing is basically crankbaits, spinner baits, and Soft Plastics and finding the locations of the fish. Structure, Drop Offs, Thermal stratification, all play a part.
Let me know if you want more info.. the more specific the question the more specific I can answer you.
Jim Dicken