My question is this:

1)I know the cold weather and dropping water temps bring out the big blues. However, how are the big blues affected by the weather in a river close to a dam? I would think water temps within a half mile below a tailrace will be unchanged, but downriver the temps would be colder? So would blue fishing be better downriver or closer to the tailrace?

2) Bank fishing a lake: What are some of the better areas on the bank to hunt for the big blue? Deep water? Shallower water? Close to creek inlet? Close to dam?

Appreciate any helpful info you can provide. I have all the rigging on my rod & reels set. I also already know I will be using cut bait. Now I just need the TFF knowledge on best locations to target.

sometimes they are shallow, sometimes they are deep. They like shallow water thats close to deep water so they can move back and forth as the shad go back and forth. They are able to stairstep. Cold front will drive them deep, after a cold front they will chase the shad to shallow water as it warms up. Fish the rivers when its too windy to be on the lake

on a lake, look for a place from the bank you can cast into a deeper drop off. Usually a narrower part of the lake makes that easier from the bank. Depending on water temps, they are at least gonna be from 10-25' deep. Use big chunks of cut shad, and wait for the transients to find your hook.