Moved to Chickamauga, anyone else near?

[Jay Dubs]

Hey everyone,

 

Lived in Gainesville, FL for years, just got up to Soddy Daisy and am excited to get to fish Chickamauga.  We visited the area while debating TN, GA or NC and I shore fished a bit, love the lake.  Interested if anyone else if from the area.  I'm stuck shore fishing until our house in Florida sells, but buying a small boat after that.  Looking to get some opinions on what would be best for the area.  My only boating experience has been kayaks and jon boats, but with Chick having a current, and being open so getting wind, curious what that is like.  I'm also looking for local shops for lures.  I like supporting local, and it's a great way to meet other people who love the same things.  

 

Any advice would be awesome.  Take care and tight lines!

 

Jason

[Crazyju]

Soddy Custom is the best shop around. Plenty of creeks to stay in with smaller boats, but current is usually not an issue, cruiser waves will get you though. After the water comes up (May15th). Soddy lake is great for bank fishing. The covert around Jones bay Marina is another good bank spot. Soddy Creek has a few boat ramps that you can park and walk a little while the water is down.

[TnRiver46]

I might see ya down there one day, I’m about 2 hours north 

[Jay Dubs]

Went to Soddy Custom Tackle, and great place and people.  Loves to talk shop and was getting fishing reports from everyone, and handing out information.  I've fished the park around Soddy Lake, Hickory Circle and Soddy Creeek and only caught a couple bass, but man there are some big panfish here.  I was tossing an inline spinner thinking smallmouth in the creek and caught some bull redbellies.

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, Jay Dubs said:

Went to Soddy Custom Tackle, and great place and people.  Loves to talk shop and was getting fishing reports from everyone, and handing out information.  I've fished the park around Soddy Lake, Hickory Circle and Soddy Creeek and only caught a couple bass, but man there are some big panfish here.  I was tossing an inline spinner thinking smallmouth in the creek and caught some bull redbellies.

Cool deal. The monster smallies like the main river, especially below a dam 

[Zebco202]

I'm in Ooltewah.  Fish around Harrison Bay and Wolftever all the time.  Drop me a message sometime and we'll meet up on a bank somewhere.  Welcome to the area.