wvranger23

Thanks for the replies so far. For my own validation, think how I went about it was a decent strategy with only 2 days to work with based on general fish behavior? I also made it a point to try to use my structure scan more to find hard bottom to soft transitions, make note of it, troll back around and start hitting it with crankbaits, etc. Does this sound right for using your electronics to help?

Thanks TnRiver46, and I agree, it just gets too many other anglers. Seems like the weekend warriors that travel from far away are at a disadvantage (like any body of water really). I try not to get too fixated on the seasons, but I do like to establish some sort of pattern if possible. Seems like I could have had some pattern going if I had more time to fish, only had 2 days. Was supposed to have 3 days but lost one due to a late arrival because of horrible traffic on I-77 and again on I-81. Anyways, you've had difficulty on that lake too eh?

Hello all, Spent the past 3 days on Chickamauga. I considered myself already at a disadvantage having not fished here in 2 years and having very little success then. Other disadvantages included having no idea of which end of the lake I should have fished on, what stage of the spawn I should focus on (they are in all 3 phases right now as I understand), etc. Basically when I first got on the water and saw water temps 63 and climbing based on depth, I started looking for hard bottom, brush, chunk rock, etc. in 6-10 feet of water and threw searching type lures, with minimal success. Minimal success was found with finesse stuff in isolated cover as well. Additionally, going down a great looking ledge, seeing tons of brush and solid fish arches relating to it, throwing football head jigs, shakey heads, etc. didn't do much either. Basically, textbook stuff I have gathered over the years of researching sites like this did not do much. I chalked most of my shortcomings up to high pressure fishing (very high) on this lake, suspended/finicky fish, and a nasty cold front that came through Saturday, but I don't know. I was able to stick a couple decent ones but overall I'm leaving disappointed. Perhaps it could also be due to no foreknowledge on spawning bed locations too? Could someone offer some insight/advice on this? How did others fare this weekend? I'm trying to get better with my electronics as well (I'm new to structure scan) but I question if I'm getting the most out of them.

Friends, I'm more of a reader than poster on the forums, and if I do post I always search thoroughly first. As the title reads I am in TN for the next 8 weeks doing my final rotation for physical therapy school, staying with my aunt and uncle in Cleveland. Naturally I brought my boat and gear with me. I believe I will spend a considerable amount of time at Chickamauga Lake, I have not been able to fish the lakes around here since I was a kid spending a week or two every summer here. I have been trying to find some good info here just to get me started on Chickamauga but my searches through the forums have not amounted to much. Looking for some good general info such as certain creeks to go to just to narrow things down for me on such a big lake. I'm fairly experienced so I'm prepared to bring a decent amount of gear and tactics to the table, I'm not nearly as skilled or knowledgable as many of you are though. Would also really appreciate info on one of the more "quiet" ramps I can use that is not flooded with other anglers or that tourneys are launched out of every weekend, I do not like to get in people's way or slow down a tourney blast off. Feel free to PM me, any info is appreciated!

It can be tough there, I have fished a few WV BASS Nation tourneys there. I have not faired as well as some, but there are some good bass in that lake. Like a lot of lakes here in WV, standing timber is your friend. Sutton is very narrow with steep ledges everywhere. Medium to deep diving jerkbaits along some of those drops would be good, as well as dropping some jigs. Standing timber with spinnerbaits is always a go-to for me on Sutton and just about any WV lake. Hope this helps!

jpdw07, Was stationed at Hunter AAF in Savannah for 6 years, drove down the road to Stewart all the time for fishing and hunting. Stewart is loaded with amazing bass ponds. I think there are over a hundred or something haha. Go to MWR and grab a map, if I remember correctly there is one called "Trophy Bass Pond" or something like that that was always good. I caught many 5 lbers at Stewart, a couple close to 8 and I have seen 10 and 11 lbers pulled our of their on a few occasions by other fishermen. Good luck to you!

Thanks all, really appreciate the great info. I will IM you guys as it gets closer for some inside tips. Looking into the suggested lodgings now.

Thanks for the info!

Hello all, I'm sorry for starting yet another post on seeking help for Guntersville, but searches through recent posts have not provided much info. Usually I am able to find whatever I am looking for by researching this website, but I kind of need some direct advice. I too will be seeing this lake for the first time in the last week of this coming March. I plan on checking with the different guide services and finding as many resources as possible in the weeks leading up to the trip, but this post was mostly targeted toward any locals or anglers that have fished the lake regularly for a while. I'm trying to figure out the logistics as far as where to stay on the lake as my buddy and I are trying to find decent camping/cabin rentals and how to optimize a short 3 day trip on the large body of water. This is not for a tourney or pre-fishing but rather just a leisure trip my old friend and I try to do once a year (last year was Lake Seminole). Please feel free to PM me if you have some great info as well. I really do appreciate any input from all you outstanding anglers and love nothing more than learning new things from you guys as I have on this website for several years. Thank you, Ben R.